By Thea Hegland

The secret life of a garden is a mystifying phenomenon. Through trial and error, you achieve tried, tested and true only to be faced with an utter enigma. What grows well for years seems to suddenly struggle, whereas a plant once deemed hopeless makes a miraculous comeback. All these things considered, make garden design planning a challenge at the best of times.

One of our many container plantings

Over the last few weeks, bed planning for next season has been happening. This is an opportunity for the team to discuss what worked well and what changes should be made for 2019 summer display. New combinations are created and old faithfuls remain. One of the biggest challenges the Garden Design team faces each season is selecting plants that thrive in the desired location, availability of plant product, whether it be from seed or cutting, and the logistics of growing the quantity in our greenhouses as space is often at a premium. It seems greenhouse staff is always busy juggling plants, space and temperature as plants are grown for the coming seasons.

The highlight of this week is the amazing Dahlia border. More than 200 varieties in 11 different forms, in all the colours of the rainbow. At 12 inches across, the ‘Belle of Barmera’ boasts the largest blossom in the display, with ‘Penn’s Gift’ and ‘Walter Hardisty’ coming in a close second and third at 11.5 inches across and 11 inches across. The tallest Dahlia in the collection (‘Hy Cutter White’) soars to the impressive height of six feet and nine inches. The Dahlia display will continue through the month of October as weather permits these incredible beauties to thrive.

Penn’s Gift, measuring 11.5 inches across

Far beyond the dazzling show of Dahlias you will discover several other garden highlights. Fantastic container plantings are thriving despite of the lack of reprieve from hot summer weather. It must be all the love and nurturing that have kept these showstoppers looking their finest.

Plants that are currently blooming

• Abutilon
• Acanthus (Bear’s breeches)
• Aconitum (Monkshood)
• Achillea (Yarrow)
• Agapanthus (African blue lily)
• Ageratum (Floss flower)
• Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa)
• Alocasia (Elephant’s ear)
• Antirrhinium (Snapdragon)
• Anigozanthos (Kangaroo paw)
• Aralia elata (Japanese angelica tree)
• Artemisia lactiflora (Mugwort)
• Astilbe
• Astrantia
• Begonia (Tuberous and fibrous)
• Brugmansia (Angels’ trumpets)
• Calceolaria (Scotsman’s purse)
• Callistemon (Bottlebrush)
• Calycanthus ‘Aphrodite’ (Sweetshrub)
• Campsis (Trumpet vine)
• Catalpa speciosa (Indian bean tree)
• Cephalaria gigantea (Yellow scabious)
• Chelone (Turtlehead)
• Cimicifuga (Bugbane)
• Clematis
• Clerodendrum bungei (Glory bower)
• Colocasia (Taro)
• Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry)
• Coreopsis
• Crocosmia
• Cuphea
• Dahlia
• Echinacea (Coneflower)
• Echinops (Globe thistle)
• Epiphyllum (Night blooming cactus)
• Euchryphia
• Eupatorium
• Filipendula
• Fuchsia
• Gazania
• Gentiana asclepiadea (Willow gentian)
• Gladiolous callianthus (Acidanthera)
• Helenium (Sneezeweed)
• Helianthus (Sunflower)
• Heliotropium (Cherry pie plant)
• Heptacodium (Seven-son-flower)
• Hemerocallis (Daylily)
• Hesperantha (Kaffir lily)
• Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon)
• Hydrangea
• Hypericum (St. John’s wort)
• Inula
• Impatiens
• Iochroma cyanea
• Kniphfofia (Red-hot poker)
• Lagerstroemia indica (Crape myrtle)
• Lantana
• Leonotis (Lion’s ear)
• Leptospermum (Tea tree)
• Lobelia speciosa
• Mandevilla
• Manettia
• Monarda (Bee balm)
• Nymphaea (Waterlily)
• Pachystachys lutea (Lollipop plant)
• Pelargonium (Geranium)
• Pentas
• Persicaria (Knotweed)
• Petasites
• Phlox
• Physostegia (Obedient plant)
• Poncirus trifoliata (Hardy orange)
• Punica granatum (Pomegranate)
• Rheum
• Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
• Rosa (Rose)
• Salvia
• Sanvitalia
• Sedum (Stonecrop)
• Sophora japonica (Japanese pagoda tree)
• Tagetes (Marigold)
• Tecoma
• Thalictrum (Meadow rue)
• Tibouchina (Glory bush)
• Tigridia (Peacock flower)
• Torenia
• Tradescantia (Spiderwort)
• Veronica
• Viburnum
• Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste tree)
• Weigela
• Wisteria
• Zinnia