Heller Greenhouse260-238-4040

I’ve got a small garden and want to plant some low maintenance flowering plants in the next few weeks in readiness for spring and summer. I live in south eastern NSW so it doesn’t get too cold at night but gets pretty warm in summer so they have to be hardy. What plants do you recommend?

Your best ‘rule of thumb’ here is to look around locally and see what the council grows in their nature strips, parks etc. plus what plants schools have growing as well.

They always go for the toughest varieties because after all, they have to grow in rough conditions and don’t get regular watering. More often than not, plants that are used are of the native variety.

Some plants used are varieties of
bottle brush,
westringia,
grevillias,
gazanias,
kangaroo paw,
marigold,
plumbago,
geraniums,

There’s also many colourful varieties of grass plants suitable as well.

I’d suggest you have a look around town in council gardens etc. and if you aren’t sure what the plant is, take a digital photo along to your nursery. Failing that visit one and have a chat to them as they’ll be able to recommend what’s best.

Remember to mulch well in summer as this keeps moisture in plus never water in the middle of the day. Best times are first thing early in the morning or late afternoon/early evening. A good soaking is better than just a quick hosing.

Installing a dripper line system is also better as this will save water as well, plus you can put a timer on the tap to save you the trouble of having to go out and do it yourself.

Happy gardening!

My hobby is gardening but my knowledge about gardening is very poor. I want to enhance my knowledge regarding it.

Your local nurseries should have a supply of books about your local conditions. The price will be a bit high, comparatively, but theirs no substitute for exacting advice about your own garden conditions. And they usually have sections explaining the basics along with them. I can’t say I have any generalized favorite books. Too many plants in those books that won’t work for my conditions. It’s disheartening. Although, I do like some of the stylistic ideas in Beautiful Gardens Made Easy by Miracle Gro. And if you like Cacti at all, Terry Hewitt wrote an awesome one called Cacti and Succulents.

This is the situation, my neighbors from both sides hang their clothes in their backyard, which i think it looks very bad, specially when you have guest at home. I am planning to get plants to actually cover the entire view to my neighbors. Also i love flowers and want to get very colorful yet strong flowers that dont require much attention.
Forgot to mention that i live in miami, very humid and rains a lot. thanks

The question you need to ask yourself is if you are looking for a permanent or temporary solution.

The permanent solution is going to take longer to achieve, because you will be going for hedging material, probably evergreen, which will be purchased in a marketable size (in a pot) and so will take some time to get up to size. This solution also costs more initially.

Alternatively, one can put in beds of annuals that are tall-growing. The problem with this is that the plants are only as tall as they are advertised at in their full maturity, and will be much smaller while growing up to size. Sunflowers are an example.

Always a favorite with green thumbs and indoor garden gurus, our striking blooming azalea plant, is bursting with fresh beauty and makes a stylish surprise for your Valentine, or just because they’re on your mind. Gorgeous azalea arrives budding and ready to bloom; bloom color may vary Arrives in an elegant white ceramic planter featuring vertical ribbing and an ornate cut-out design; measures 5.3″H x 6.5″D Measures overall approximately 12-14″H What’s The Story? Recognized as part of the Rhododendron family, the azalea differs from the rest of its “siblings” by size and flower growth, which is one flower per stem. But during its flowering season, the azalea’s stems are so abundant, they create a solid mass of gorgeous color. Send one for any celebration, and expect an abundance of smiles from your lucky recipient.

Read the rest of this entry »

The perfect gift for any gardener, this beautifully illustrated personal organizer is an ideal reference for gardeners to plan, record and visualize their garden. Our journal allows gardeners to gather information about their favorite plants and record developments in their garden month by month and year by year. Indispensable for anyone who cherishes their garden and wants to make notes and sketches about plants and garden projects, our gardening journal offers practicality, innovation and a way to keep personal gardening notes all in one place. organized for ease of use into six sections, covering everything from projects and designs to resources useful pockets to hold plant tags and magazine clippings illustrated with 100 glorious photographs of plants and charming illustrations fine acid-free card inserts with Magic Dots to attach inspirational photos of plants and gardens 144-page journal measures 9 7/8 x 7 7/8 x 1

Read the rest of this entry »

A new job. Your niece’s first car. Your best friends birthday. Celebrate any occasion with our colorful bouquet of bright, fresh flowers such as carnations, alstroemeria and button poms, and let that special person know they deserve a day thats all about them. Carnations, alstroemeria, mini carnations, button poms, monte casino and more, beautifully hand-designed by our select florists in an attractive glass vase and accented with festive ribbon Vase measures 8″H x 4″D Large arrangement measures approximately 18″H x 14″D Medium measures approximately 18″H x 13″D Small measures approximately 17″H x 12″D Components may vary What’s The Story? When given as part of a bouquet, Alstroemeria (also known as Peruvian lilies) symbolizes friendship and devotion. Giving our stunning It’s Your Day Bouquet, featuring alstroemeria, carnations and more bright blooms, lets a friend, family member or loved one know just how special you think they are.

Read the rest of this entry »

i have an enclosed space down the side of my house where i have hung a hammock, now i just need to make the space feel like a rainforest retreat. i would like to plant plants that will give the rainforest feel that wont grow too high and that are cat friendly (non toxic to cats and no sharp bits). can any1 recommend plants i could use?
Well i live in Australia, Southern Queensland. does that help?

Hibiscus flowers and possibly some trumpet vine.

My other half is setting up a gardening services company and we’re currently looking at what his company logo should look like. It’ll be on advertising leaflets, business cards , a website and possibly on his pick up truck. We’ve done a dragonfly design so far but was wondering if anyone had any good ideas. We want to portray that he’s reliable ,efficient, knowledgeable in plants and horiculture and can take on work pople just don’t have time for.

Bob-a-job?

Its the old Boy Scout fundraising motto, and as such, older people may recognise it a representing hard work, initiative and traditional reliability.

I live in Zone 7b. I am wanting to do a flower bed next to my house facing east. My thumb is not green. Does anyone have any suggestions as to tall flowers for close to the house, mid-high flowers for the middle, and a good border flower? I would like to do a variety of different colored Foxgloves for next to the house and some Phlox for the border. Any suggestions?
There are no big trees nearby, just a tall thin bush/tree on the south side of the garden that doesn’t realy give much shade. Otherwise it’s pretty much open. It’s in Oklahoma, like I said, zone 7b. so it can get pretty hot. I really don’t want anything taller than about 4′ or so in the back right up next to the house, that’s why I was thinking Foxgloves. Something that is really too much taller than that would be too tall in my opinion. Any more suggestions? So far everything sounds great and maybe my thumb will have a tinge of green this year!

Does the flower bed get direct sunlight (no big trees around)?
or there are trees around?
To make your thumb greener, the most important thing is to learn about how much sunlight the area will get. Since the bed is next to the house, it won’t get afternoon sun that is good for some plants.

Now back to the first question, if no trees around that will be more plants can grow there.
You can choose bulbs cause they are easy to grow.
For tall flower you can have Foxgloves, tall Lupines, Oriental lilies (3-4 ft) if you want taller you can get Orienpet Lilies (3-8 ft). Tall Bearded Irises can also grow to 3+ ft. Gladiolus is good too but you may need to cover them with mulch to make sure they come back next year. Remember that the taller the plant, it may need staking to support the stem.
For medium high flower: you can get Campanula (Bellflower), Liatris Blazing Star, Dutch Iris, Siberian Iris, or Columbine.
For Border: Daylilies like Stella d’ Oro, Happy Return, Little Business. Phlox is better in open area that get more sun

If there are trees around, you can try:
Tall plant: Ostrich Fern, Rocket Ligularia, Azalea.
Medium plants: Toad Lily, Astilbe, Columbine, Helleborus, Bleeding Heart
Border: Variegated Liriope, Brunnera, dwarf Hosta or Impatiens (annual)

You can also add spring flowering bulbs like Daffodils, Tulips, Crocus, Hyacinth so there will be always something growing from Spring to Fall.