Jennifer Stackhouse

Indoor plants are usually thought of as lush and green. Odd leaf shapes, patterns or variegations add to their intrigue and desirability. There are, however, many plants that grow indoors and produce flowers or that can be brought indoors temporarily for a floral display. These flowering plants give an extra dimension to an indoor display, adding colour and sometimes perfume...

Understanding light needs is simple enough outdoors, but it can be a struggle to understand indoors.  All plants, even those sold as ‘indoor’ plants, need light to grow and thrive. Indoors, light reduces the further you are from a window. Window dressings such as blinds and curtains (even sheer ones!) also reduce light levels, as do shelves where plants are...

Pots filled with good quality, premium potting mix provide ideal conditions to grow most plants. As well, pots are a wonderful way to garden in a small space. As they are portable, they can also be moved to avoid weather extremes such as heat, frost and even to shelter plants from the deluge of wet weather that’s been experienced in...

There are some garden visitors that love fresh, home grown vegetables as much as you do. These are the common pests and diseases of the veggie garden. They may attack the leaves, fruit or even roots of plants and many target specific vegies. If you know what to expect, it makes control easier. Here are some commonly encountered pests of...

Flowers are more than just the pretties of the garden. There are many positive benefits to be reaped from growing flowers in your garden. They add colour, fragrance and encourage beneficial insects and visiting birds. They are also fun to pick, whether to bring indoors or arrange in a posy to give to a friend. Some flowers are edible and...

For many new gardeners, both indoors and out, keeping plants alive can be a challenge. While there are lots of reasons a plant may die, there are some basic things to do that can keep plants not just alive, but thriving. Don’t throw in the trowel and blame your ‘brown’ thumbs if a plant dies. Try to work out what...

Hedges can be used to mark a boundary, edge a path or garden bed or screen out unwanted views. Hedging plants need to be evergreen (so they are green and leafy year round), suitable for clipping and robust. We've got all the know-how you need when it comes to selecting and planting low-maintenance hedge plants.   How to plant a...

Got questions about how to care for your bonsai? We've got all the answers you need.   What is bonsai? A bonsai is any plant trained and maintained in a container to be artificially small and compact in growth. Bonsais are long-term plants. Bonsai is a Japanese tradition that has gained popularity around the world. Bonsai enthusiasts, collectors and practitioners...

You may hear other gardeners talking about autumn being the best time for planting, but why is that the case? Autumn – particularly mid-autumn - is a good time to plant for lots of reasons, but all are to do with creating a stress-free environment for the new plant to flourish and experience less transplant shock.   Reason 1: The...

Succulents are very popular garden plants and it is easy to see why. They relish hot, dry situations and can take a starring role in dry, heat-tolerant and low-care gardens. Many also grow well in containers, so are great for small spaces, too. This tough plant group is also finding its way into flower and table arrangements indoors and into...