outdoor plants

Tibouchinas are seen at their purple best in autumn when most are in full flower. These evergreen shrubs or small trees thrive in warm, sheltered gardens that are protected from frost. These are adaptable plants that can grow in full sun or part shade. Tibouchinas (also known as lasiandra or glory bush) originated in parts of tropical South America including...

Sick of looking after your unused swimming pool? Become a pool to pond convert and turn your pool into a thriving backyard billabong, full of beautiful water plants and all manner of wildlife.   What are the benefits of turning a pool into a pond? It’ll save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. Aside from the initial setup costs...

Loropetalum Plum Gorgeous certainly lives up to its name with its stunning year-round plum foliage. But spring and autumn is when it really comes into its own, with its showy swathes of magenta, tassel-like flowers. Naturally dense and compact, this versatile shrub can be almost anything you want it to be. Grow it in a pot, plant in your garden...

Autumn means bulb planting! This season, why not plant your bulbs in a pot? That way, once blooming, the pot can be brought inside for short stints, providing an indoor flower display unlike any other!     How to pot up bulbs step-by-step Choose your pot Keep in mind your goal is to bring your pot of bulbs indoors for...

Containers are a great way to showcase your favourite plants and inject a bit of personality into your home and garden. Whatever container your plant calls home, here are our top four tips to ensure your container garden thrives. 1. Size matters Make sure you choose the right size pot for your plant (or vice versa). Seek out a pot that's slightly...

Olives are widely planted in gardens but are not always grown for their fruit. This productive, long-lived evergreen tree from the Mediterranean is also valued in gardens for its good looks and heat and drought tolerance. Young olive trees have slender trunks and silver green leaves. Reaching 5 to 7 metres high they are used as shade trees or as...

That a garden needs a lawn is often taken for granted, but there’s no rule that says you have to have one. Certainly lawn provides a cool green element that unifies a garden and offers space to walk, play or just sit, but there other plants that do the same job. By planting a lawn alternative you don’t need to...

What is espalier? Espalier is a way of training trees, shrubs, and woody vines against a flat surface, like a wall, fence or trellis. It's an ancient growing technique that originated in the small courtyards of ancient Rome and is considered by many to be an art form. Why espalier? Espalier not only looks beautiful and decorative, it’s practical and space...

Proteas have existed for over 300 million years, making them one of the oldest groups of flowering plants in the world. Despite their ancient roots, they look beautifully modern in any garden. They’re also low care, make great cut flowers, are bird attracting and share the same care needs as our own Aussie natives. Discover the most popular protea varieties...

Ferns are popular because of their suitability as indoor plants. But the group has even more to offer, as most thrive outdoors, growing well in shaded spots where other plants struggle. They could be just the plant to grow in a courtyard or small shaded garden to create a cool, lush look. Ferns are ancient plants. What sets them apart...