Front verandah make over...

This weekend I set out to make over our front verandah with some pots and plants. I have had the two cream glazed urns for a while now, we were growing cherry tomatoes in them in the back yard this summer. I  pulled out the tomatoes and planted two standard Murraya paniculata ( commonly known as Orange Jessamine)  and placed them either side of our front door. Murrayas are evergreen shrubs ideal for hedging with creamy white fragrant flowers. The cane chairs were an op shop find and go well with my green/ cream semi tropical theme.

I did a little garden centre shopping ( at Serenity Nursery of course) and picked up this large tapered cream pot and advanced philodendron .  I also had to grab one of Serenity's terracotta frogs which is now at home under our frangipani tree.

images by Krystal James

Today in the nursery

 

As I look around the nursery today I am delighted by the intense tropical colours I see. Hibiscus, Mandevillas and fragrant frangapanis present them selves in all their beauty. Pop in today ans see for yourself.

Images by Serenity Nursery

My Summer Garden

 I was absolutely thrilled when I spotted my first frangipani flower this season. My two established plants didn't flower last year after a funny season with the weather.

 Succulents are easy to grow and have maximum effect in the garden with bold colours and forms. I have this dark purple one planted in Serenity's rust urns.

My Lantana plant grows like mad and needs a good trim back every so often to keep it controlled.

Tomato plants are planted in half kegs, provincial urns and any where there is room and enough sunlight.

One of the super cute pigs that I picked up at the nursery. This one was looking up at me saying "take me home" now I have three pigs.

Retro Plants

A bit of inspiration from my travels abroad. This 1950's/70s? hotel boasts some excellent retro plants. I adore the succulents dripping over the edge of the balcony's.

The circular wire balls with a climber in each one is a magnificent idea. Imagine growing a flowering mandevilla  or an ivy in a huge wire ball to hang in your patio.

Image by Krystal James

Lucky Bamboo

Add some Zen to your living area with Lucky Bamboo. Lucky bamboo is not actually a bamboo, it's from the dracaena family( a plant found in the tropics). Lucky bamboo is s easy to care for making in a popular indoor plant. They are available potted in soil or bare rooted in water. Lucky Bamboo will grow in a vase of water too.
The curly ones are created by putting straight bamboo into low light tunnels, rotating them, and letting the in light.

Choose a spot out of direct sunlight. A well lit bathroom or kitchen is ideal.

Find more ideas at our Plant Nursery and Garden Center website:  www.serenitynursery.com.au

Sweet Scents

My two lovely frangipani trees did not flower this year :( . I miss the lovely scent that comes with them. I beleive it is the inconsistant weather we have had. Well instead I will have to admire this magnificent dark pink frangipani that I spotted in Bali recently.

Bird of Paridise Strelitzia Nicolai

Alot of people know the popular bird of Paradise with the purple and orange flowers. I have seen alot of large esstablished ones that grow to about 2m tall. This one is called Strelitzia reginae.  

One of my favourite Strelitzias are the Strelitzia Nicolai this bird of Paradise has a growth habit more like a palm and can grow up to 6m. The cream and blue flowers stunning (pictured here).

Available in a 20cm Pot for $29.99ea