Embracing the winter garden!
Deciduous plants are becoming leafless by the beginning of winter as they enter their annual winter dormancy. Even most evergreens are marking time waiting for spring to bring a new burst of growth. Despite this, the winter garden isn’t without colour, fragrance and produce. There’s also planting and pruning to be done in the rose garden.
Winter solstice marks the shortest day
The 21st of June marks the date of the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, when days are short and nights are long. Passing this date marks a gradual increase in day length. Plants respond to lengthening days, which can trigger flowering in some species. Beneath the soil, roots will also be growing in preparation for spring.
Despite wintry conditions, gardens can be colourful with plants in bloom. Common flowers of winter include narcissus (both white and yellow forms), red hot poker, camellia, hellebore and many natives, including wattle, grevillea, banksia and boronia. Look for these plants at your local garden centre or hardware store to add colour to the depths of winter.
Applications of PowerFeed PRO SERIES for Roses & Flowers every two weeks will ensure flowers continue to bloom throughout the season.
Japonica camellias in bloom
Adding colour to winter gardens year after year are the reliable camellias, especially japonica camellias (Camellia japonica). Camellias flower over many months, bringing colour to winter gardens, particularly in temperate zones. These tall evergreen shrubs produce beautiful flowers in white, pink or red tones and in a range of flower shapes and sizes and are readily available to plant throughout winter.
To enjoy the camellias indoors, float the stemless blooms in a shallow bowl of water. As well as bringing colour to a subdued season, japonica camellias also grow in part shade or full shade, making this camellia an asset in any garden.
They can be grown in the ground or in large containers, but require acidic soil with protection from frost, which can damage flowers. When planting water in with Seasol to help reduce stress from cold and frost. In areas with alkaline soil, grow camellias in large pots with a premium potting mix such as Seasol Advanced Potting Mix.
For more information on camellias, check out our guide.
Caring for succulents
Succulents are popular, especially as potted plants, where they are grown both outside and indoors in bright light. They are popular as they are easy to grow and come in a variety of leaf colours and forms. Some flower in winter, bringing welcome colour. Look out for kalanchoes, such as Flaming Katy and Freedom Bells, for long-lasting colour indoors and out.
Not all succulents enjoy cold conditions. Some are susceptible to frost damage, while others can rot during prolonged rain. Protect susceptible succulents from damage by growing them in pots in special cactus and succulent potting mix and moving the containers into a sheltered but sunny location where they’ll be protected from both the cold and the wet.
As further insurance, take stem or leaf cuttings from succulents to propagate in a frost-free spot. To help with root development and to reduce transplant shock, water in cuttings with Seasol at planting (40 ml of concentrate per 9 Litres of water in a standard watering can).
Vegetables for winter
Winter is the season to grow peas (both podded and snow pea varieties), cabbage, silverbeet and spinach, which are all available as seedlings at garden centres. In tropical and subtropical climates, where winter cold and frost is not an issue also plant cherry tomatoes.
Grow vegetables in the sunniest part of the garden or plant in pots using a good quality potting mix such as Seasol Advanced Potting Mix, then place the pot in a warm, sunny and convenient spot. Water in new plantings with Seasol GOLD to reduce transplant shock.
Every 10-14 days, apply a liquid plant food like PowerFeed PRO SERIES for Tomatoes and Vegetables to promote tasty edible produce. Water when dry.
Five important jobs for early winter
- Regularly apply liquid fertiliser PowerFeed PRO SERIES for Tomatoes & Vegetables to leafy winter vegetables, brassicas and winter annuals such as pansies, primulas and poppies.
- Plant a deciduous tree for summer shade and incorporate Seasol Plant + Soil Booster into the soil to aid plant establishment and improve soil health.
- Keep indoor plants away from hot air from heating systems. Check plants before watering and only water if the potting mix has begun to dry out.
- Light up the garden with solar lights to bring a sparkle even when plants are dormant.
- Keep paths swept and gutters free of leaves. Add fallen leaves to the compost or leaf bin.
Citrus time
Winter is citrus season in the garden – enjoy the fruit or plant your own. Browse your local garden centre or hardware store for lemons, limes, oranges, mandarins or grapefruit. Where space is tight, look for a multi-grafted citrus such as one producing both lemon and lime fruit on one tree or grow a dwarf variety.
One unusual citrus is the finger lime, a native Australian citrus. Named for its unusual finger-shaped fruit, finger lime grows well in most parts of Australia. It is a thorny but attractive evergreen shrub or small tree that provides fruit over many months and year-round habitat for birds and insects.
Citrus are gross feeders that require a balanced diet of nutrients and trace elements to keep growth strong and healthy. Apply a fast-acting liquid fertiliser such as PowerFeed PRO SERIES Fruit & Citrus every two to four weeks all season long. It contains added iron to minimise leaf yellowing and promote healthy budding, flowering and fruiting.
All citrus need to be planted in well-drained soil with full sun (although finger lime tolerates a little shade).
Rose tips
Early winter marks planting time for bare-rooted roses in all areas it is also time to prune existing rose bushes in warm temperate and subtropical gardens. So, get those secateurs sharp, clean and ready for action. In cold areas, delay pruning for another four to six weeks!
To prune a Hybrid Tea rose, arm yourself with sharp secateurs, a pruning saw or good loppers and tough gloves to protect hands and arms. Cut back all over the bush, reducing its size by one-third to a half. Remove old wood, cutting it at the base of the plant with the aim of leaving a framework of three to five strong stems. Remove diseased branches (for example, stems showing signs of dieback) and branches that are crossing over. Finally, go over the rose, cutting back to just above an outward-facing bud.
After pruning, spray with lime sulphur to control common rose pests such as scale while the plant is dormant. Renew mulches under the rose and top up where needed. Remove all fallen leaves or stems dropped during pruning. As growth resumes, start to increase watering.
Follow our rose pruning guide.
