The Siam tulip, a striking ornamental ginger, offers bold blooms in shades from purple to white, with magenta the standout, writes gardening columnist JACKIE WARBURTON.
While the summer warmth lingers, there are tropical plants that thrive outdoors, then can be moved inside when cool weather arrives or simply treated as annuals.
One of the most vibrant choices is the Siam tulip (Curcuma alismatifolia). Despite its name, it is not a tulip but a non-edible ornamental ginger that dies back each year to a rhizome. Once considered rare, ginger tulips are now widely available.
Their bold blooms appear in shades from purple through to white, though the rich magenta form remains the most striking. Flowers rise on long stems throughout summer, making excellent cut blooms.
Plants can tolerate dry conditions, surviving with minimal water if necessary. They grow well in pots filled with quality indoor mix, positioned in bright, indirect light with consistent watering for strong growth.
NOW is the time to order garlic for autumn planting. Choose organic Australian bulbs rather than imported garlic, which may have been fumigated with methyl bromide for quarantine purposes. Although banned for general use in Australia, it is applied to imported products to prevent pests, fungi, weeds, insects entering the country. Whenever possible, grow locally sourced bulbs.
Prepare the soil with plenty of compost, avoiding heavy applications of manure or high-nitrogen products. Do not plant garlic in the same position as the previous year. Use crop rotation, selecting beds where brassicas have grown, avoiding areas used for root vegetables this summer. Garlic prefers weed-free, well-tilled soil with a higher pH; if soil is acidic, lightly dust with dolomite lime a few weeks before planting cloves.
In the past, I have planted garlic among roses to make use of winter space, as both prefer similar soil conditions. Keep plants well watered but never waterlogged.
FOR a compact flowering hedge, ground cover or potted feature, the fairy rose is a reliable choice. It is low maintenance, flowers profusely over a long period and is well suited to small gardens. Double pink blooms appear in clusters, ideal for a posy or small vase.
Bred in the 1940s, The Fairy remains popular today. Classified as a Polyantha rose, it grows to about 60 centimetres, making it perfect for confined spaces or container colour.
Other polyantha varieties are available in white, cream, peach and red. For brighter tones, the Jewel range offers vivid orange, purple, violet flowers. These grow to a similar height and are equally hardy.
Both types are easy to propagate without grafting. Take 10-centimetre stem cuttings in autumn, remove lower leaves, dip into propagating gel, honey or a little Vegemite. Place in a small pot in the shade, protect over winter, then plant out in spring.
Jottings
- Remove summer crops that have finished their yield.
- Keep watering apples and pears as they ripen.
- Sow or transplant broccoli and brussel sprouts in propagation trays.
- Fertilise roses for a burst of autumnal blooms.
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