What’s in Season – December’s Garden Gems
This month, we celebrate six remarkable plants that embody the season’s beauty and bring a touch of magic to summer gardens.
Angelonia
Care Tips:
- Light: Angelonias flourish in full sun, but can tolerate light afternoon shade.
- Soil: These plants prefer well-draining, moderately fertile soil. Amend heavy soils with organic matter.
- Water: Keep the soil moist during establishment. Once established, they are fairly drought-tolerant but perform best with regular watering.
Uses in the Garden:
Angelonias, also called “Summer Snapdragons,” produce upright spikes of delicate flowers in purple, pink, blue and white. They’re ideal for adding vertical interest to garden beds, borders and containers. Their long-lasting blooms attract pollinators and their heat tolerance makes them a standout choice for summer gardens.
Coleus
Care Tips:
- Light: Coleus – a tropical, tender evergreen perennial that thrives in hot, humid conditions. Plant in sun to semi-shade.
- Soil: Prefers consistently moist, rich, loose, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.
- Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid water-logging.
Uses in the Garden:
Coleus is prized for its colourful foliage in striking patterns of greens, reds, purples and yellows. Perfect for adding texture and vibrancy, they make excellent fillers plants for garden beds, containers, or borders. Use them to complement flowering plants or as standalone stars in foliage-focused designs.
Fuchsias
Care Tips:
- Light: Fuchsias thrive in bright, indirect light or partial shade. They need protection from the hot afternoon sun.
- Soil: These plants love fertile, well-draining soil. A mix enriched with organic compost is ideal.
- Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, watering more frequently during hot weather. Avoid letting them dry out completely.
Uses in the Garden:
Fuchsias bring elegance with their pendulous, bell-shaped flowers in rich shades of pink, red, purple and white. They are perfect for creating vibrant garden borders, as bedding plants, or in pots and containers, offering a stunning display of delicate flowers that bloom abundantly, adding bright colour throughout the season.
Hydrangeas
Care Tips:
- Light: Hydrangeas thrive in dappled morning sunlight or partial shade, especially in hot climates. Avoid planting them in harsh, direct afternoon sun.
- Soil: They prefer rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil, which influences bloom colour in some varieties.
- Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during hot weather. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than shallowly and frequently.
Uses in the Garden:
Hydrangeas are beloved for their large, lush flower clusters in shades of pink, blue, white, or purple. They’re perfect for creating dramatic focal points in garden beds, borders, or containers. Use them to soften fences or walls or as part of a mixed shrub border. Their versatility and stunning blooms make them a must-have for a romantic or classic garden style.
Portulaca
Care Tips:
- Light: Portulacas thrive in full sun, where they produce the most vibrant and abundant blooms.
- Soil: Well-draining, sandy soil is ideal for these drought-tolerant plants.
- Water: Water sparingly. Once established, they require minimal watering and tolerate dry conditions well.
Uses in the Garden:
Portulacas are low-growing, spreading plants with cheerful flowers in vivid hues like pink, orange, yellow, white and red. They’re ideal for rock gardens, borders, or as ground covers in sunny areas. Their drought tolerance and bright blooms make them a popular choice for water-wise gardening.
Torenias
Care Tips:
- Light: Torenias grow best when planted where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade.
- Soil: They prefer rich, well-draining soil. Add organic matter to the planting area for best results.
- Water: These plants need regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Uses in the Garden:
Torenias, with their cheerful, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, yellow and white, are wonderful for semi-shaded garden spots. They’re a wonderful option for bright borders or as bedding plants, in hanging baskets, or as fillers in mixed containers. Their vibrant blooms attract pollinators, adding life and colour to your garden.
These stunning plants are in season and ready to bring vibrant colour and charm to your garden. Celebrate the height of summer with these fantastic choices, available now at your nearest Blackwood’s!