| Description | Hydrangea macrophylla
Macrophylla perform best in a part shade position sheltered form the hot sun and wind with a rich, porous, moist soil. Dead head and prune to shape after flowering, Hydrangeas can be cut back quite hard if need be. Feed with an organic slow release fertiliser in late spring. White varieties do not change colour, no matter the pH.
Height 2m, width 1.5m
8"/20cm pot | Buxus microphylla
Korean Box is a fantastic compact shrub with long but finer leaves than most buxus. It's foliage is a bright green long oval shape with gloss. It is one of the lowest growing buxus and so is ideal for box hedging, however it can tend to turn yellow in full sun, so it will prefer a part shade/filtered light position.
Korean box is one of the slower growing varieties and is great in pots or as topiary's. This plant has a moderate growth rate that grows to approximately 50-60cm in height. Plant every 20cm - 5 per meter for an optimum hedge. | Centella asiatica
When we think about herbs we think of things like parsley, sage and thyme, which all originate from Southern Europe. We don't hear much about those from Asia, let alone native Australian herbs. "Gotu kola" is more commonly known here as the arthritis plant. This herb has been cultivated in India, China, tropical Asia and Africa for centuries. It comes from the same family of plants as parsley and it has close relatives in Australia. Some of the traditional claims made about the medicinal properties of this plant include ; the extension of life, control of tuberculosis and leprosy, relief of high blood pressure and the pain and swelling associated with arthritis as well as a treatment for cancer and irritating skin ailments. It has also been referred to as Indian Ginseng because of its stimulating effects on many parts of the body. The arthritis herb has been used as a medicine for thousands of years in countries where it grew naturally. It is claimed to have beneficial effect on a number of other ailments including psoriasis, ulcers, rheumatism, acute infections and inflammation, upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhoea, fevers and diseases of the female reproductive organs. Modern clinical tests on humans and animals have confirmed a positive effect in the treatment of skin ailments such as ulcers, burns and wounds. The recommended daily dose is two leaves of 40mm diameter per adult, or the equivalent in smaller leaves. The leaves have a bitter taste particularly if grown in full sun. You may be able to eat the leaves straight from the plant or alternatively they can be chopped up and used like a parsley garnish on salads or mashed potato. It is commonly used to flavour rice dishes in Southeast Asia. A weak tea can be made which you might like to sweeten with honey. The naturally occurring organic chemicals in the leaves include strong alkaloids and a carcinogen called asiaticoside. It is recommended therefore, that you do not exceed this dose as symptoms of headache, dizziness and insomnia have been reported. This plant also goes by the common name of swamp pennywort and this is a clue to its preferred environment, which is shady and swampy. In such a location this plant can grow very quickly. The arthritis plant can be easily grown in the home garden. It thrives under shade in pots, hanging baskets and particularly in bog gardens or by a pond. A good idea is to keep this plant in a confined position such as a tub to prevent it from escaping. And a good potting mix will see this plant take off quickly.
4" pot size. |
| Content | Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangeas are a timeless, traditional favourite, these deciduous shrubs dazzle with flower colours of medium deep pink flowers. ‘Ball’ varieties are named accordingly with large, balls of flowers on display in summer. | | |
| Additional information |
|
| Botanical Name |
Buxus microphylla microphylla
|
| Mature Height |
60cm
|
| Mature Width |
40cm
|
| Sunshine |
Full Shade, Part Shade
|
| Uses |
Topiary, pots, box hedging, mazes
|
| Planting Distance |
5 per metre for low border, 3 or 4 per metre for taller hedge
|
|
| botanical name |
Centella asiatica, or Hydrocotle asiatica.
|
|
