Does your step feel lighter when spring arrives? In spring anything seems possible. Dormant plants awaken; evergreen plants put on new growth and flowers and scent fill the garden.
It’s a wonderful time to plant so let’s explore what to plant where.
Plant during September and October once severe winter frosts have gone. And remember that plants which are planted in spring will need consistent watering over summer.
PLANT OF THE MONTH
Roses would have to be my favourite plant for spring. Starting with new growth and followed by spectacular flowers. So many colours and perfumes to choose from.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU RUSH TO THE NURSERY
Plants are starting to move, so it’s time to fill in any gaps in your garden. And don’t be afraid to pull out plants that aren’t performing well. Removing plants provides the opportunity to plant something new!
Decide what your preferred planting style and create that look in your garden. Do you like a formal garden, a more relaxed style, or an Australian native garden to share with birds and insects?
Categorise the plants you require. I divide plants into 4 categories: Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Grasses, Ferns and Bulbs and lastly Groundcover and Climbers. Also consider plants growing preferences such as tolerance of sun and shade.
WHAT TO PLANT BEFORE THE SUMMER SUN ARRIVES
Plant during September and October once severe winter frosts have gone. Remember that plants which are planted in spring will need consistent watering over summer.
Start by selecting trees as they are important living structures in your garden. Plant a deciduous tree if you need summer shade and winter sun.
Here’s some of my favourites deciduous trees
Crepe Myrtle, or Lagerstroemia, is a drought tolerant and sun loving. As well as having beautiful flowers and good autumn colour, they develop attractive bark for winter interest.
Cercis ‘Forest Pansy’ is a delightful feature tree. It produces small cerise flowers following by heart shaped burgundy leaves. And Green leafed Cercis ‘Avondale’ which is compact 2 x 2m.
Japanese Maples develop attractive leaves which put on a colourful display in autumn. They prefer some shade.
Snow Pear, or Pyrus nivalis, with its lovely vase shape and silver-green leaves is the perfect shade tree.
Some Evergreen trees
For a sunny position, plant the less common Magnolia ‘Kay Parris’ for a bit more height and its beautiful wavy leaves.
Bays such as Laurus Nobilis ‘Miles Choice’ makes a great hedge and are drought tolerate. If this Bay tree is too large for your garden the dwarf variety ‘Baby Bay’ will fit your spot.
If you have space for a medium sized Eucalyptus, plant the attractive Snow Gum, Eucalyptus pauciflora.
Shrubs for Sun
Mediterranean plant species are typically sun loving, water wise and require good drainage. Cistus covers itself with pretty rose like flowers. Varieties include small to medium shrubs and ground covers. Jerusalem Sage or Phlomis fruticosais useful in a flower borders or in a productive garden. Indian Hawthorn or Rhaphiolepis is a dependable and low-maintenance evergreen shrub with lightly scented flowers. They tolerate full sun and all but full shade.
Deciduous Grace Smoke Bush (Cotinus ‘Grace’) has beautiful purple foliage, flowers which resemble smoke and good autumn colour. Explore the green varieties too.
Natives often require well drained soil, so if you have a clay soil choose your plants carefully.
Bottlebrush such as Callistemon ‘Little John’ and Callistemon ‘Endeavour’, Tea Tree such as Leptospermum ‘Pink Cascade’ and Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca species) cope with clay soil. Thyme Honey Myrtle or Melaleuca thymifolia can handle wet soils.
Many natives including Coastal Rosemary (Westringia species), Correa alba, Banksia spinulosa ‘Coastal Cushions’, and Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos species) prefer good drainage. Use the taller more adaptable Kangaroo Paw. Mix gypsum and compost into your soil and plant on a mound.
Now some Shrubs for Shade
Camellia are a traditional flowering plant and are especially useful in the landscape. Camellia japonica make an excellent hedge in shady areas. Camellia sasanqua with their looser growth can be espaliered in a narrow bed and cope with more sun.
Pieris and Daphne perform best in part shade and complement Camellia and Magnolia.
The Oak Leaf Hydrangea my favourite, Hydrangea quercifolia, prefers some protection from afternoon sun. Common mop-top or French hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla can cope with more shade.
Native shrubs which tolerate part shade include Snowy Mint Bush (Prostanthera nivea), Correa reflexa and Chef’s Hat Correa (Correa baeuerlenii), Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis), and the dwarf Wax Flower (Philotheca myoporoides).
Perennials, Grasses, and Bulbs
Some tough perennials are Daises, Gaura, Catmint, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy,’ and Salvia including herbaceous Salvia nemerosa.
Strappy leafed Liriopes grow well in sun or shade and are easy to look after. Lomandra ‘Tanika’ and Lomandra ‘Evergreen Baby’ will handle cold weather, clay soil. And Tanika Lomandra even handles full shade. Softer coloured
Yellow Clivia and Dianella with delicate blue flowers are great for shade.
Bulbs such as Gladioli, Dahlia and various Lillies can be planted during Spring for summer flowering.
Our last plant category Climbers and Ground Covers
Low growing plants provide a living mulch. Convolvulus sabatius is reliable and looks great trailing over a garden wall. Native violet and Pratia pedunculata work well between steppers away from full sun. Creeping boobialla, Myoporum parvifolium, is one of Australia’s toughest native ground covers, perfect for slopes.
Deciduous Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda ‘Violacea Plena’) and evergreen Happy Wanderer (Hardenbergia violacea) are great performers. Deciduous Boston Ivy will cling to a brick wall and provide wonderful autumn colour. It tolerates both sun and shade.
So, enjoy spring in your garden, plant something new, fill those gaps with plants, cover the soil with living mulch, and take you garden to the next level.
Diane Beddison is a frequent visitor to Daylesford and the Principal of Beddison Garden Designs
