Plants of the month Mother's Day blooms
Many things remind us of our mums, flowers being one of them. These are just some of the plants closest to our readers’ hearts – try them in your garden too!
When we asked on Facebook which flowers remind our readers of their mothers, roses and carnations were hands down top of the list with gardenias, sweet peas, dahlias, gladiolus, lilies and wisteria also strong contenders. We look at some of the firm favourites, and three readers share their fondest memories of their mums…
#1 Roses
Roses need no introduction. They come in a wide variety of colours, shapes, growth habits and fragrances. Although roses prefer plenty of water, they will grow well in containers so you can plant your favourite in a pot and keep it going with grey water during times of drought. Roses like well-drained soil and should get at least six hours of sunlight a day. Add welldecomposed compost and bonemeal to the soil in the planting hole and sprinkle mulch around the shrub so that the soil stays cool and moist for as long as possible. Most roses should be pruned in winter. With a little effort and extra care, you’ll be rewarded with abundant blooms, especially in spring. Many roses flower throughout summer until late autumn; when you buy your rose, ask how long the one you’ve chosen will bloom. >>
Plant guide
Full sun Frost-resistant Must be pruned Protect against wind Needs plenty of water Good cut flower
#2 Carnation (Dianthus spp.)
Carnations have long been the most popular choice for a boutonnière (buttonhole bloom)! This cut flower with its lovely old-fashioned clove scent is available in a wide range of colours and lasts well in a vase. Today, the bigger carnations are not such a common sight in gardens, but the smaller Dianthus hybrids such as sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) are generally available at nurseries. Carnations are perennials, preferring well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine. Plant the smaller varieties at the front of a bed or pot where they will bloom continuously for long periods. And if you buy the bigger carnations at a florist, put them in clean water and take cuttings of the stems when the flowers die back. Simply cut off the dead bloom and place about 15cm of the stem in a container with well-drained potting soil – they are so easy to grow!
Plant guide
Full sun Frost-sensitivity differs Average water needs Good cut flower
#3 Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
This climber is fast-growing and needs a sturdy pergola or framework to support it. Wisteria is at its best in early spring when the plant is covered with fragrant purple blooms – the colours of the different varieties range from lilac to a deep purple and even white. Chinese wisteria is deciduous, putting on a beautiful autumn coat as its leaves change colour. In winter, the bare branches allow the sun through, making it an ideal plant for over a stoep structure or pergola so you can sit and soak up the winter sun. Prune wisteria back hard in early summer after it has finished flowering. Wisteria blooms on the previous year’s growth. This means that if you need to tidy up the plant a bit more in winter, you must only trim the young shoots and not the older branches that bear blooms in spring. Wisteria does well in almost any type of soil but needs plenty of room to grow. Water regularly until it is well-established; thereafter little water is needed. The plant thrives in a pot (make sure it is big enough) and forms a beautiful bonsai.
Plant guide
Full sun Frost-resistant Deciduous Average water needs Hardy climber Flowers in early spring
#4 Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybrids)
These tuberous plants range from small, fragrant indigenous species to hybrids with showy blooms in a wide range of colours. The modern hybrids that are such popular cut flowers today are derived from our indigenous species. The name Gladiolus comes from the Latin word gladius – meaning sword – due to the shape of the leaves. Prepare your bed well with plenty of compost; the soil should be well-drained and can even be sandy. Gladioli do not like clay soil that drains poorly. Plant the tubers about 15cm deep and keep well-watered in the growing season. Make the first planting in autumn and then subsequent plantings at intervals to ensure a continuous display of these colourful blooms. Their best flowering period is October to March. Gladiolus hybrids grow tall, up to 1.5m, making them ideal for the back of a border. Plant in groups of at least 10 of the same colour for the most impact. Provide support for the stems, especially if the flowerbed is exposed to wind. Gladioli are generally available at nurseries; follow the instructions on the back of the packet for planting tips applicable to the ones you’ve bought. Full sun Moderately frost-resistant Average water needs Good cut flower
#5 Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
What could be more beautiful than a posy of fragrant sweet peas? This annual grows very easily from seed – its sowing season is February to April. Sweet peas like well-prepared soil. About two weeks before you plan to plant, work compost into the soil (about 25cm deep) and add a handful of bonemeal. Follow the instructions on the seed packet for sowing depth and spacing. The seeds are big, making them easy to sow one at a time. Keep the bed cool and moist, but not soggy. Sweet pea seed packs are sold as climbing and dwarf varieties; make sure you choose the ones you prefer. The climbing varieties will need an obelisk in the bed or a trellis against the wall. Wait until the seedlings are about 8cm tall, then pinch off the growing tips with your fingers and train the tendrils up the obelisk or trellis. Tie the plants to the structure regularly as they grow taller. Feed every two weeks with a liquid fertiliser such as Kelpak once they start to form buds. Remember, if the flowers are left on the plant, they’ll start to produce seed, resulting in fewer blooms – so pick your sweet peas every day and add their sweet fragrance to your home!
Plant guide
Full sun Moderately frost-resistant Average water needs Good cut flower