HGGARDENING
144 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
Photograph from Alamy (Calibrachoa, Portulaca,New Guinea impatiens), Plants ManagementAustralia (Summerina) & Touch of Class Plants (Coreopsis).THE BRIGHT STUFF
Summergardens needbold,brightflowers that can stand up to
harsh Australian conditions. Here,Helen Youngpicks five of the
most brilliant and hardy beauties under the sun.5
COREOPSIS
These sunny, daisy-like
flowersusedtobejust
yellow annuals that
flourished as weeds along
railways and roadsides, but
selective breeding has
made them garden-worthy
favourites. Hybrids such as
‘Mango Punch’ (pictured),
‘Salsa’, ‘Jive’ and ‘Mambo’
are neater, more compact
perennials that regrow each
spring, bearing large
flowers on slender stems.
Colours now include yellow,
pink, copper, burgundy,
white and bicolours.
They’re still easy to grow
and, as a bonus, will attract
butterflies to your garden.
Planttheminpotsoras
drifts in garden beds.4
NEW GUINEA
IMPATIENS
Unlike shade-loving
common impatiens (also
knownasbusylizzy),these
handsome New Guinea
varieties love sun and heat,
as long as they have water.
They’re also colourful
options for partly shaded
spots. The pointed leaves
canbegreen,bronzeor
splashed with yellow,
forming a mounded plant
with fleshy stems to about
60cm high. Flowers range
from white through pinks to
magenta, plus mauve,
coral, orange and red; there
are even some bicolours.
They flower profusely from
spring through autumn, in
beds, pots or windowboxes.2
PORTULACA
Their succulent leaves tell
youinstantlythatthese
ground-covering plants are
drought-tough heroes. They
will thrive happily in dry, hot
and coastal conditions,
producing their dazzling
flowersduringallthewarm
months. Colour choices
cover the spectrum from
clear yellows through
tangerinestopinksand
crimsons, many with an
iridescent glow. Use them
to underplant shrubs in tubs
or trail them attractively
over the rim of wall pots.
Outstanding options
include the Sun Jewels,
Pazzaz and
Hot Spots series.1
CALIBRACHOA
Despite the tricky botanical
name (it’s pronounced
kal-ee-brack-o-a),these
petunia relatives are some
ofthemostcolourfuland
trouble-free bloomers
around, flowering profusely
foruptoninemonthsofthe
year. Spreading twice as
wideastheir20cmheight,
they work brilliantly in
hanging baskets or spilling
over the edge of large tubs.
They’re available in a
beautiful array of colours,
from cream and yellows to
pinks, mauves, purples and
reds,aswellasflamboyant
multicoloured mixes. Check
outthegorgeousshadesin
the popular Million Bells
and Superbells series.
SUMMERINA
COLLECTION
This cross between two
popular plants, perennial
Echinaceaand annual
Rudbeckia, combines the
best of both to produce a
high-impact, long-flowering
androbustplantwitha
height and spread of 60cm.
Thelarge,sturdyflowers
are long-lasting, creating
a vibrant display from late
spring through autumn.
They’reidealforpotsand
make beautiful cut flowers.
‘Sunshine’ (pictured) is gold
with an orange centre,
‘Sunflare’ displays burnt
orange tones and ‘Twilight’
features delightful shades
of coppery red and
burnt bronze.TENDER LOVING CARE
✚Thesewarm-huedplantsneedahotandsunnyspottomatch.Intoomuch
shade, you won’t get the prolific flowering performance.
✚Apply liquid fertiliser and Seasol, mixed together, every fortnight.
✚Aftereachflushofflowers,prunebacklightlytoencouragemoreblooms.
✚In pots, use a top-quality potting mix such as Debco Terracotta & Tub.A CHILLI SUMMER
For asummertime blaze that’s both
ornamental and edible, try compact
bird’s eye chilli. With fruits shading
fromcreamtopurple,greenandred,
it makes an ideal potted bush.