Not all the wonderful hardy flowers of winter and spring are small little things that hug and hide on the ground for warmth, some are really big boys who seem to be fearless in the face of all the winter rain, cold and icy winds that comes their way.
Yet they will reward handsomely the gardener who recognizes their heroic qualities by providing extra drainage. Also shelter and wind protection or staking. Tallest of this group is the sweet pea (lathyris) which can reach 3 meters(lOft.) if given perfect conditions. And those conditions are: a warm, sheltered, very sunny spot with a very free draining soil, deeply rich in compost and/or minerals and heaps of lime (best provided through dolomite).
If a general plant food is used try to avoid those high in nitrogen as sweet pea resents this, preferring to make its own from nodules on it’s roots. A trellis or similar support must be provided although the new hybrid dwarf varieties that reach only 1 meter will require only minimal staking.
Cornflower (centaurea) is a favorite among florists and those who cherish cut flowers. Gardeners wanting showy garden plants often overlook cornflower because the plants can look a bit large and weedy until one examines the lovely long-stemmed blooms they produce in abundance for many months.
READ MORE...e-Book Winter / Spring Annuals 1 - The Ground Covers
Yet they will reward handsomely the gardener who recognizes their heroic qualities by providing extra drainage. Also shelter and wind protection or staking. Tallest of this group is the sweet pea (lathyris) which can reach 3 meters(lOft.) if given perfect conditions. And those conditions are: a warm, sheltered, very sunny spot with a very free draining soil, deeply rich in compost and/or minerals and heaps of lime (best provided through dolomite).
If a general plant food is used try to avoid those high in nitrogen as sweet pea resents this, preferring to make its own from nodules on it’s roots. A trellis or similar support must be provided although the new hybrid dwarf varieties that reach only 1 meter will require only minimal staking.
Cornflower (centaurea) is a favorite among florists and those who cherish cut flowers. Gardeners wanting showy garden plants often overlook cornflower because the plants can look a bit large and weedy until one examines the lovely long-stemmed blooms they produce in abundance for many months.
READ MORE...e-Book Winter / Spring Annuals 1 - The Ground Covers
About us Dale Harvey and John Newton met in Melbourne Aust. in 1981. Since then they both men have supported each others careers while also building and maintaining their own. Read about how they were able to turn their joint careers into one and creating a dream of a better world starting in their own local community. |
Media & Publications The following articles are a small part of the many published editorials on or about both Dale Harvey and John Newton.Plus the property affectionately nick named by the people of New Zealand, as the "Quarter Acre” Paradise gardens.
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Awards & Credits This is a collection of Appreciation Certificates, Local and Overseas Awards with Acknowledgments presented to Dale Harvey and John Newton over the many years of their joint careers.Plus the Launch and Registration of The H.O.P.E. Trust
The Healing of Planet Earth.
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Contact UsQuarter Acrea Paradise23 Vine Street Mangere East 2024 Auckland New Zealand Text: 0274720700 Tel: +61 9 276 4827
Email: info@daleharvey.com
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