GO FROM BARREN TO BEAUTIFUL

FIX THOSE TROUBLESOME SPOTS IN YOUR GARDEN THAT BOTHER YOU WHEN THEY DON’T THRIVE AS OTHER PARTS FLOURISH

A TALL-GROWING MAGNOLIA ‘TEDDY BEAR’ DRAWS YOU DEEPER INTO THE GARDEN ESPECIALLY AS THE VELVETY BROWN UNDERSIDE OF THE LEAVES REFLECTS THE COLOUR OF YOUR MULCH

BEFORE

TURN THE CORNER

When parts of your garden don’t get the same light as the rest, rethink and reconfigure – a clear path line helps, then line with rounded, shade-loving plants of varied heights to create year-round interest.

LIGHT UP SHADY SPOTS IN YOUR GARDEN WITH STROBILANTHES’ SILVERY LEAVES WHICH HOLD UP SOFT LILAC FLOWER SPIKES IN SPRING AND ALSO INTRODUCE THEIR GORGEOUSLY PURPLE NEIGHBOURS – THE LONG-LASTING AFRICAN DAISIES OSTEOSPERMUM ’ D’

TIME TO TROUBLESHOOT

Common reasons plants don’t thrive – and simple solutions

Problem Your garden is north-facing, but shade cast by a tree or building gives it a southern aspect. Solution Add shade-loving plants. Problem Certain garden corners are microclimates at odds with your overall patch, such as mass plantings that lift humidity. Solution Mass plant only in areas with good airflow. Problem Plants on one side of a path thrive while those on the other side fail as they're under eaves and don’t get the same rain. Solution hand-water plants under eaves. Problem Tradies have tipped leftover lime from cement mix into your garden, changing the soil pH levels.

Solution

Get a soil pH tester from your local nursery, then add sulphur if the alkalinity is too high. Problem You’ve mixed thirsty plants with abstinent ones. Solution Put like-minded plants together.