Summer doesn't have to be associated with burnt grass and lifeless trees too hot to produce any flowers. Here's the perfect selection of plants that will produce an abundance of flowers in all the colours of the rainbow.
Bracteantha bracteata (Long lasting, everlasting or paper flower):
• Description: They may be either annual, or woody perennials. The specific name "bracteata" refers to the prominent and numerous, dry, papery bracts, which are often incorrectly referred to as petals.
• The plants are extremely varied in their habit and habitat. These range from tightly matted ground covers to thick rounded shrubs which may grow over 1 m high by 2 metres wide.
• Location: Wide diversity of location. It is found on the outskirts of the dry rainforests in north Queensland, all the way over to the coastal areas of Western Australia.
• Conditions: Will grow almost anywhere except where there is a case of wet feet or shaded conditions.
• Flower: From early spring right through to autumn.
• Propagation: They are easily propagated from cuttings of firm young wood taken during spring to autumn.
Verbena Aztec, (Vervain or Verbena):
• Description: There are about 200 different varieties. Generally an annual with light plate to intense dark purple flowers. They grow to about 400 mm high in a rounded mounded appearance and are really good at attracting a variety of insects and birds.
• Conditions: Grow in full hot sun, in frost-protected places and in moderately moist, drained, fertile soils. Avoid overhead watering. water lightly as surface rooting and about once a week, give some general fertiliser
• Flower: flowering from late spring to autumn.
• Propagation: cuttings and division
Lechenaultia biloba, (Blue Lechenaultia):
• Description: Group of 20 small woody or semi woody plants with leaves that are soft, blue-green in colour, 3-9 mm long to 2 mm across in an open spreading habit to about 50 cm high. It lasts only about 3-4 years before dying off. It is however very hardy to insects and diseases, as well as to frosts.
• Location: All except for three of the species are from Western Australia
• Conditions: Must have gravelly and sandy soils that are well drained
• Flower: Their range of colours and shades of blue, green, yellow, red and white about 1.5 cm long by 2-3 cm in diameter and tubular in appearance. Flowering time is from late winter through to summer.
• Propagation: The species is easily propagated by cuttings taken at any time of the year with most success in late spring and summer.
Limonium perezii, (Sea lavender):
• Description: about 150 in the genus consisting of annuals and perennials. The leaves are leathery and vary in size. Cut flowers back after flowering to lengthen the life of the plant.
• Location: found growing naturally in salt marshes
• Conditions: They are a bit frost tender. They thrive in coastal conditions, with a preference for sheltered sunny locations with light, well-drained, yet moist soil.
• Flower: Flowers are tiny but make a stunning display as they cover the wiry branches. White, cream, and mauve to purple shades are common from spring to summer.
• Propagation: Propagate from seed, root cuttings, or by division, depending on the plant type.
Argyranthemum, (Federation daisy):
• Description: They grow into compact sub-shrubs that are woody at the base but are covered with herbaceous growth that flushes with flowers through the warmer months to about 600 mm.
• Location: Their original location is the Canary Islands but are bred in Australia for our conditions.
• Conditions: Sunny well drained soil with a good amount of fertiliser dug in but protect from frosts. They will withstand dry conditions once established except in pots. Like other plants mentioned here, regular fertilising will be of enormous benefit during the flowering time.
• Flower: start in spring and flower right through to autumn and vary in colour from vivid red to lemon and white. Lightly prune flowers as they die off to encourage new flowers.
• Propagation: Seed
Pelargonium (geraniums*):
• Description: Early botanists put pelargoniums together with a group of` similar plants already known as geraniums, and the name has stuck with gardeners ever since. But pelargoniums are not geraniums
• 3 types:
- Ivy leaf pelargoniums. Creeping and hanging named from the leaf
- Zonal pelargonium’s grown for the foliage
- Regal pelargonium’s grown for their upright habit
• Location: Tough is the understatement. They will often grow in full sun and part shade. They prefer a well drained moist soil but will take a variety of tough conditions
• Conditions: Even though they are tough, treat them with love and they will reward you tenfold. Regular deep watering and fertilising.
• Flower: Huge variety of flowers from white to deep magenta
• Propagation: Stem cuttings far better than trying for seed
Salvias, (Sage):
• Description: Salvia species range from small annuals to large shrubby perennials Many salvias have hairs growing on the leaves, stems, and flowers, which help to reduce water loss in some species and give off the scent when rubbed the leaves are usually a light green through to silver grey. All bear their flowers in upright spikes, often with whorls of blooms around the stem. The tubular flowers have conspicuous lips, and are often borne in abundance.
• Location: 900-odd species grow in habitats ranging from the coast to the mountains.
• Conditions: Most prefer a sunny position with moist, compost-rich, well-drained soil. And can vary in hardiness. But nearly all once established are pretty tough.
• Prune: in very early spring late winter to clean them up for spring.
• Flower: The flowers are generally produced on spikes, or panicles, with flower colours ranging from blue to red, with white and yellow less common. Times vary in flowering depending on the variety for autumn to spring and summer.
• Propagation: from cuttings and layering - the seed is often not viable.
Baby Bougainvilleas, (Paper flower):
• Description: This dwarf variety was originally developed in Brisbane. Depending on the location they can be semi deciduous in colder area where they need to be protected from frosts. A scrambling climber with small thorns.
• Location: need a free draining soil and hate having excess water sitting around the roots.
• Conditions: love full sun in spring and summer apply fertiliser that's high in phosphorus and potassium. This helps to maintain the beautiful colours of the bracts. Mostly pest and disease free.
• Flower: Bright colours associated with the plant, including pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, white, or yellow.
• Propagation: Most are sterile and are propagated from cuttings.
Chrysocephalum (Common everlasting, yellow buttons):
• Description: Common Everlasting grows from 50cm – 1m and up to a meter wide and the peak flowering period is from September to December. The leaves are often lance shaped and silvery grey due in part to the dense hairs for water conservation on the leaves.
• Location: It grows in all well drained soils in dry conditions and full. It also tolerates moderately salty wind making it suitable for coastal plantings.
• Conditions: Severe pruning after flowering will encourage new growth.
• Flower: This local daisy with clusters of bright yellow flowers up to 15 mm in diameter looks wonderful in mass plantings or in a rockery and will flower from September to December or even later The flowers only last a day and are replaced on the stem by another.
• Propagation: propagation is usually done by cuttings as the seed can be a bit unreliable.
Hemerocallis, (Daylilies):
• Description: The long, often linear leaves are grouped into flat fans with leaves arching out to both sides. The crown of a daylily is the small white portion between the leaves and the roots, an essential part of the fan. Dwarf and full forms are available.
• Location: can be used in almost any location in the garden from full sun to partial shade.
• Conditions: Hardy, pest-resistant, and quick to multiply cut down to ground level in winter and their flowers and foliage during spring and summer as they yellow off. They are a bit susceptible to scale and spider mite so just keep an eye on them for that. Will survive with a little water but through a bucket of love on them and they are much happier.
• Flowers: Like Roses the only colour that is elusive to this plants flower is blue.
• Propagation: Division of the bulb, divide every 2-5 years for the best results
Gazaneas, (Treasure flower):
• Description: Gazania is native of South Africa. The leaves are finely lobed, dark green above gray, and grow in compact clumps about 200-400 mm tall. Each clump supports a number of flowers held above the leaves on short stems.
• Location: It grows well in all soil types and will tolerates poor and sandy soil. Full sun is preferred and the flowers. Do not open on wet or cloudy days. Removing the old blossoms will increase the number of flowers produced.
• Conditions: These plants are tough and will survive on little water, but treat them with love and they will reward you with a treasure trove of flowers. They are pretty well resistant to most pest but snails. We should not eat them as some variates are poisonous.
• Flowers: Gazanias are grown for the brilliant colour of their flower which appear in the late spring and early summer. Colours range from yellow to orange, red, pink and white or in or in wild colour combinations with flashy stripes or rings of contrasting colours.
• Flowers: The flowers close up at night or on rainy days like dandelions and tulips.
• Propagation: The plant is propagated by either seed or cuttings.
But wait there are more:
• Grevilleas
• Callistemon
• Succulents
• Honey myrtle
• Hakea
• Deities
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Poppies
• Oriental poppies
• Roses
• Scented geraniums
