Gardening columnist JACKIE WARBURTON sings the praises of a terrific little ground cover that also looks good in a hanging basket. 

Veronica Oxford Blue is a terrific little ground cover and its electric-blue flowers cover the ground at this time of the year. 

It grows well in the shade or full sun where very little else will grow. It needs winter sunlight to get it to bloom and autumn leaves need to be removed to prevent it being smothered. 

It’s a great choice as a border plant or around stepping stones and also terrific for hanging baskets, rockeries or under the roses to keep the weeds down and create winter/spring colour. 

Whether it is Veronica peduncularis, Big Blue or Georgia Blue, they are all blue, but in different shades. Needing little care, they grow alongside other trusted Canberra plants such as Loropetalum. 

LOROPETALUM shrubs have become popular over the last few years – and rightly so. They are tough, big or small and their lovely deep purple foliage is a strong contrast when planted in a garden with lots of evergreens. 

The Loropetalum is from the Asian woodlands and can be placed well in a themed oriental garden or even a cottage garden. Its common name is Chinese fringe flower, and is a cousin of witch hazel. 

It’s a versatile plant for hedging, clipping and shaping. If grown into a large shrub, it can get up to two metres tall with the bonus of being an evergreen that provides structure in a winter garden. 

Loropetalum were only originally available in the white flowering and green foliage form. Along came Loropetalum Plum Gorgeous and its popularity exploded. Not only does it attract bees and butterflies, but it needs minimal care when established.

SPRING’S always a busy time in the garden when the vegetable patch can begin to be planted. 

All vegetable beds have to be weed free to prevent them competing with the growth of vegetables around them. 

The soil isn’t warm until October, so now’s a good time to plant seedlings to get all the greens going – such as beans, peas, leeks and lettuces. 

Plant them where there was a green manure crop or where the vegetable plants from the solanaceae family (tomatoes, eggplants and capsicums) grew last season. 

Sowing seeds of solanaceae plants can be done now and ready for planting out in about six weeks. Sowing seed into small punnets or shallow trays with drainage, with some sandy compost or worm castings is all you need. 

Water lightly and keep on a window sill until there is growth. Then introduce more and more sun until they have at least six sets of leaves and look to have a good root system. They will be ready for planting in mid-October. 

Sowing another batch of seed and planting in succession, will ensure that there is a steady supply of produce right through the season. 

Spring is also a busy time with blooms from wattles, plums and pear trees. There will be lots of birds and bees around, too. Water anything flowering in the garden. 

Jottings

• Water any trees or shrubs that are showing signs of growth. 

• Trim small-leaved hedges more often for shaping.

• Spray citrus trees with white oil and neem to counter summer stink bugs. 

• Feed bulbs as they are growing. 

jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au