Garden Corner

Green Gardening Corner Fingers

There is so much one can plant at this time of year to brighten up the garden, and remember that it is much more effective to plant small, eye-catching areas with lots of colour, than spreading it over a large area where the flowers simply get lost amongst the other plants. For colour in sunny areas for the rest of winter, spring, and even into early summer, you can’t go wrong with Petunias, Pansies, Violas, Calendula, Allysum, Snap Dragons, Stocks, Foxgloves, Lobelia, Dianthus, Gazanias and so much more.

For shady areas, Bellis Perennis does well, with their gorgeous, pom-pom-like flowers in red, pink or white. They will do well in partial shade too. Common Primula Malacoides, Chrysanthemum Paladosum and Cineraria will be happy in light shade. Perennial garden patches, with a splash of grouped annuals, can really lift a garden at this time of year, when the KZN Midlands gardens can look a bit dull.

Container gardening can also be an alternative if you only have a very small area to work with. One or two concrete pots filled with colour, can make your garden pop. Most annuals come in sixpack punnets, and it is amazing how much colour just a few trays will give to that spot where you need it most, turning your garden into a winter wonderland.

Perennial garden patches, with a splash of grouped annuals, can really lift a garden at this time of year... Container gardening can also be an alternative if you only have a very small area to work with.

Source: Ronnoco Nursery, 8 Amy Wilson Drive, Hilton, 084 514 3119.

PMB/Midlands