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Bird Of Paradise
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Strelitzia Reginae
The flower of this plant is spectacular. The plant is commonly called bird of paradise.
Mature plants will produce a succession of these flowers over several weeks in spring and summer. Despite this impressive and exotic show, these plants are pretty easy to look after, as long as can be kept worm during winter. They will need a temperature of at least 13C during this time, and so may be suitable for growing in a conservatory that keeps warm all year around.
October
October and autumn closes in the garden, but it does so in a blaze of glory and colours.
This is the month for autumn bulbs, colchicums, crocus and cyclamen all commence their flowering season.
Elsewhere events take an exciting turn. Leaves colour, berries are illuminated and the first frost etch the garden in sensational and often surprising manner.
This is the month to spend some time on routine chores. Lawns will benefit from scarification where they have become compacted and should, in any case, be given an autumn feed. Continue to cut grass with the mower blades set to high, as long us weather permits.
Winter digging where appropriate may be started and any pruning undertaken,
Shrubs and trees: Brilliant orange, burnish gold, crimson and bronze. The turning leaves of autumn are one of the principal joys of season. Malus tschonoskii (bonfire tree), Acer Palmatum Osakazuki and Amelachier Ballerina, all these should be set against a background of the soft yellow leaves of Rosa Rugorosa Alba; Imagine the intensity of this foliage caught in the rays of a dying sun. It’s worth baring this point in mind when planting trees and shrubs for their autumn colours.
Plant new edges: October represents a good month in which to establish new hedges. Ground must be well prepared in advance, incorporating where possible organic matter. New box plants will respond to an application to bonemeal in the spring to speed growth. Many types of hedging will be available bare-rooted at this time of the year.
Putting the garden to bed: As the weeks of autumn pass so the approach of winter focuses in the mind. Start now to tackle some of the jobs which will help keep the garden in good shape during the months ahead. Pots of tender plants need to be re-moved to a frost free area. Those which are to remain outside may need to be lagged as a precaution against damage frost.
Cut down spent perennials, remove frosted annuals, lightly fork borders and apply and mulch if desired. Fallen leaves will start to pose problems in many cases. Sweep from lawns, remove from gulleys and clear from small plants.
Lift tender perennials: Tender perennials should now be lifted from the open ground before the worst of the weather sets in. For convenience they may be potted up and stored in a green house which is kept frost free over winter. Dahlia tubers should be overwintered. (Dahlias, one of the principal supporters of the late summer garden, are easily grown in open ground. In very warm districts they may be left overwinter in position, a mounded heap of compost over the tubers acting as sufficient protection. More often though tubers are lifted as soon as frost brown the foliage; when this happens, cut off all but about n15cm of stem and hang stem down, to dry completely for a few days. Plunge into a box of ash or sand and store free from damp, frost and heat. Dahlias are best propagated from overwintered tubers in March or April).
Jobs List:
Scarify lawns and apply an autumn fertilizer
Start winter digging
Take account colour when choosing shrubs and trees
Plant bare rooted roses
Establish new hedges
Begin preparation for winter
Plant tulips