Australian_House_Garden_January_2015

H&G GARDENING

Australian House & Garden 137

1

SILVER LADY FERN

Blechnum ‘Silver Lady’

It’s the way the lush fronds

are arranged in an orderly

rosette that makes this fern

stand out. Despite looking

delicate, it’s quite tough.

2

PEACE LILY

Spathiphyllum

Loved as an indoor plant, this

glossy-leafed beauty thrives

in a warm, bright spot out of

direct sun. The white blooms

are very long-lasting.

3

FUCHSIA

These are traditionally

shade-lovers but the Sun

Kisses range also takes full

sun. They flower profusely

throughout the year and will

tolerate temperatures from

-3 ̊C to 40 ̊C.

4

FIDDLE-LEAF FIG

Ficus lyrata

Popular as a house plant in

the 1960s for its handsome,

large leaves and unkillable

nature, this rainforest tree

is enjoying a welcome

comeback. Tall and striking.

5

CAMELLIA

Camellia japonica

Dark, lustrous foliage is the

perfect foil for large and

beautiful winter flowers, in

pink, red and white. Choose

a smaller variety for pots.

6

PARLOUR PALM

Chamaedorea elegans

A petite palm, rarely growing

to more than 1m in height,

with so‹, fine leaflets. It

does well in smaller pots

and also in heavy shade.

7

PORT WINE MAGNOLIA

Michelia figo

A slow-growing yet very

worthwhile large shrub. The

dense, small leaves make an

excellent screen, and the

bubblegum perfume of its

spring flowers is a bonus.

8

ZANZIBAR GEM

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

This is the ultimate survivor,

tolerating very low light

and lack of water, which

makes it a popular house

PLANTS AND POTS, ARTFULLY

ARRANGED, ARE A GREAT WAY

TO INJECT PERSONALITY.

plant. Place it in a warm

spot and enjoy the glossy,

waxy leaves.

9

GOLDEN CANE PALM

Dypsis lutescens

If you need a tall (to 10m),

dense, screen, this clumping

palm is a great choice. It’s

lush and undemanding,

although drying winds and

hot sun can burn leaf tips.

10

FLAMINGO FLOWER

Anthurium

Like peace lilies, these prefer

bright light without direct

sun in a warm climate. The

flowers last for months: use

them as a table centrepiece

or for splashes of colour. >

SHADE LOVERS

1

3

6

2

4

7

10

8

5

9

Photography from Flower Power (1, 2, 8, 9), Alamy (4, 5, 10), Getty Images (6), Sprint Horticulture (3),
Ramm Botanicals (7), Jason Busch/beauersyndication.com.au (opposite).