Better Homes and Gardens Australia — December 2017

3

LIGHT UP THE

LANTERNS

Chinese lantern

flowers (Abutilon sp.) bloom

all summer long, bearing

clusters of nodding bell-

shaped blooms in a range

of hues – yellow, white, pink,

apricot, red and more. For

growing in pots, seek out

the dwarf varieties, which

grow into neat little shrubs,

about 30–40cm high.

4

COLOUR BY NUMBERS

Don’t ignore the

familiar! Warm-season

colour doesn’t come any

easier than geraniums

and they look extra cute

when clustered together.

Seek out a wall planter like

this one or line up a trio

of potted geraniums on

your front steps. Red is the

classic favourite, but the

range of colours available

these days is vast. ➤

Photography GAP Photos/Friedrich Strauss/Annie Green-Armytage

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

5

MIX UP MATERIALS

Metal pots and planters add

an interesting edge to the

outdoor scene, their dull silver texture

contrasting well with ultra-bright

blooms. Try dwarf mandevillas in pink

and red shades, teamed with white

alyssum and ornamental grasses.