Plectranthus saccatus

A nursery called ‘A Touch of Class’ has produced a superior form of the lovely groundcover/ small shrub Plectranthus and called it ‘Velvet Elvis’, which I love.

It’s nice to see a bit of originality in marketing but no doubt the plant sells itself in nurseries as it is very attractive. It will flower for most of the year in our region, providing lots of lovely pale mauve, purple flowers. The foliage is also attractive, being glossy green on the top of the variously shaped leaves whilst the underside is black, a great contrast.

I have found it to grow well in all situations, including almost full shade, as long as it gets a little sun, preferably morning.

A knowledgeable friend told me recently why she thought the morning sun was best. She said it’s because the sun is closer to the Earth in the morning, and therefore those powerful rays, so necessary for all growth, are at their strongest. She may be right; it’s a nice theory!

Plectranthus will grow to about 70 cm high and can sprawl but responds well to pruning after flowering or, as it looks great in a vase when you cut it for inside displays.

It does well in pots or hanging baskets, and the foliage has a pleasant perfume, as indeed most Plectranthus do.

It’s a satisfyingly fast grower, and like most things, it loves well-drained, rich soils, so mulch and feed annually with organic soil improvers.

Plectranthus is really easy to grow from cuttings so once you have bought one, you can end up with many for yourself and to give away. I plant them randomly in any bare spots throughout the garden as they provide such a nice splash of colour, and the bees love them.

I really enjoy sharing plants from my garden and as a member of the Bangalow Gardening Club, have many plants in my garden that came from our ‘Auction Table’. This enables us all to purchase successful specimens from other members’ gardens at bargain prices, and the proceeds go into our coffers to subsidise outings. Best of all, it also enables us to donate to the many fundraising efforts in the region as well.

Gardens are for sharing!

Carole Gamble

“When I feel a bit lonely or just a bit low, to lighten my spirits out gardening I go. It’s a garden of friendship, each plant that I tend reminds me of someone and each one a friend. Where I gaze on the beauty friends’ faces I see and think of the plants they have given to me. The bulbs and the seedlings the cuttings and all, if it wasn’t for flowers, I’d have no friends at all. In my garden of friendship, midst colour and scent my friends are all with me and I am content”

Joshua Brien

Enjoy

9 Byron St, Bangalow. Ph: (02) 6687 2622.