Sri LankaSri Lanka
19 Sep - 9 Oct, 201918 - 28 Feb, 2020PHOTOS
ISTOCK, GAP PHOTOS/FRIEDRICH STRAUSS
Zygocactus (Schlumbergera truncata)
Cascading bell fl owers up to 8cm long, in intense shades of pink, red, purple, orange
and cerise, provide dramatic winter colour. They need a frost-free position in the shade,
as the foliage will yellow if they get too much sun, but in cold climates they can be grown
indoors in a bright position. These hybrid succulents need good drainage and are often
grown as hanging baskets on the verandah, so there’s no danger of them being left sitting
in a saucer of water. Feed with half-strength liquid fertiliser every month and prune
lightly in spring by pinching off the end segment on each fl attened stem to encourage
it to branch. Bonus: your mum can use
thesesegmentstogrownewplants!
45cm–60cm 45cm–60cm
semi-shade/shadeSasanqua camellia
(Camellia sasanqua)
In autumn and early winter,
sasanquas have gorgeous
single or double blooms in
white or shades of pink and
red. While they do cope with
sun, they appreciate afternoon
shade in hot areas. Plants
need slightly acidic soil, so
if your mum lives near the
beach or has alkaline soil, her
camellia will do best in a pot.
Prostrate forms, including
‘Marge Millar’ and ‘Snow’,
suit hanging baskets, while
‘Setsugekka’ and ‘Star Above
Star’areidealforespalier.
60cm–5m 60cm–4m
full sun/
semi-shade/shade GA