With the weather starting to warm up and Spring now upon us, it’s time to pick up your gardening sheers and get back into the garden with these top trends.
Colour of the season
Pantone’s Colour of the year 2018 is Ultra Violet, so it’s no surprise we’re seeing shades of purple pop up in flower beds this Spring. Colour theory tells us that purple and green are complementary colours, and there’s no better match than a little greenery surrounding fresh purple Spring blooms. A low-maintenance favourite with an all-year-round bloom is Barleria, which is particularly striking in the ‘Purple Dazzler’ colour as it produces vibrant purple leaves. If you’re after a native purple plant, Melaleuca is a fine-leafed bushy shrub that can be found in a variety of purple and magenta shades.
Grow your greens
As we become more aware of the origins and sustainability of our food, there’s increasing popularity in including edible plants into our gardens. There is a timeless charm about serving food that you’ve grown yourself in your own backyard, and Spring is the best time to plant new seeds for edible herbs, fruits and vegetables. Some of Victoria’s best to plant in Spring include:
- Basil
- Chives
- Coriander
- Dill
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Sage
- Thyme
- Beans
- Beetroot
- Broccoli
- Capsicum
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Lettuce
- Onion
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Rubarb
- Tomato
- Zucchini.
Vertical gardens
If you’re limited for garden space, or you’re wanting to create an ornamental wall in an alfresco dining space, vertical gardens are the perfect way to transform a smaller area with plants. Vertical gardens can range from vines growing up trellis walls, to flowers or herbs growing in small pots or boxes secured to a wall. Support frames can be created to strengthen a less permanent structure, with the planting containers attached to it. This is another perfect opportunity to get creative with repurposed materials such as pallets, drift wood, or mesh.
Waste not want not
It’s time to bid adieu to traditional planter pots and take a sustainable and innovative approach when it comes to finding a pot for your new plants. Repurposing containers to create unique vessels to hold your plants is a hit trend this season with favourites including tea cups, mugs, jars or bowls for small succulents. For larger plants or small trees consider kegs, oil drums or wine barrels, whilst wheelbarrows or birdbaths provide great options for a miniature oasis or Zen garden.
