NEWER OLDIES = MODERN TOUGHIES
OLD FASHIONED VARIETIES GET A NEW LEASE ON LIFE
“OLD Gardeners Never Die, They Just Throw In The Trowel”
– (old coffee cup motto). IT’S a pretty accurate saying, however, as gardeners in general are a tough bunch who will garden on, well into their senior years, even to the stage where other manual tasks become difficult.
Gardeners just seem to find extra energy and determination to continue gardening when faced with the prospect of advancing years and decreasing mobility.
There are many garden plants that fall into the “never say die” category, just like we gardeners.
In fact, quite a few of these plants can be placed into what I call an “old fashioned” collective, as I remember most of them being grown by my grandparents and parents because they were the only plants commonly available back then, as well as being tried, tested and declared somewhat bulletproof.
Many of them were “establish and almost forget” types, happily performing year after year in their garden possie.
And some of them, for example lantana, privet, camphor laurel and ochna, were so tough that they established too well and became troublesome and weedy.
The non-weedy, old fashioned toughies will no doubt have had many new varieties developed from them over the years up to now.
Let’s turn back the clock and look at some of the original hardy species and list a few newer cultivars as well.
First cab off the rank is Alstroemeria, or the Peruvian Lily.
Early Alstroemerias were known for their toughness due to a persistent, fleshy root system and self-seeding ability, to the point where one species was considered a weed.
They can handle full sun or part shade, and most soil types, but it’s important to keep their roots mulched against really cold winters.
Peruvian lilies usually flower in the warmer months, with the taller varieties grown for their long-lasting cut blooms.
Thankfully the tough qualities of the “old fashioned” Alstroemerias have been retained in the newer cultivars.
Look for taller varieties such as ‘Pick me Purple’, growing to 80cm high, and the dwarf range of Princess lilies, including ‘Kate’ (red), ‘Diana’ (yellow/orange), ‘Fabiana’ (cream), ‘Amina’ (orange) and ‘Elaine’ (pink).
Certain to be included in grandma’s cottage garden palette would be Argyranthemum frutescens, or the Marguerite daisy.
The old-fashioned varieties, sporting single or double white, or pink flowers for most of the year, are still considered the hardiest plants, regardless of modern breeding.
They enjoy a full sun aspect and our temperate climate, and grow so fast from cuttings some gardeners treat them as annuals.
Very rarely affected by pests and diseases, they love being cut back by at least half each year, which promotes new flowering shoots.
Newer cultivars (look for ‘Federation’ Daisies) grow equally well in pots.
Look for ‘Bright Carmine’ (single), ‘Daisy Chain Magenta’ (single, deep pink), ‘Super Duper White’ (double), ‘Banana Split’ (single yellow/raspberry fleck) and ‘Surf City’ (yellow single).
Known by my grandparents as “garden pinks”, the current selection of stunning Dianthus will leave gardeners a bit bewildered as to which varieties to plant.
Essentially low growing (30-40cm H) versions of another old-fashioned plant, the carnation, these tough, frost-hardy beauties will dazzle with colourful blooms for most of the year and enchant with delicate fragrance as well.
Best in full sun, they’re great container or border plants, and some varieties with taller blooms are ideal for cut flowers.
Cultivars to chase up are ‘Candy Floss’ (frilled, double pink), ‘Heart Attack’ (deep red), ‘Pop Star’ (deep pink/wine) and ‘Sugar Plum’ (frilly deep pink/cherry).
The elegant Japanese windflower, or Anemone x hybrida, are tough, spreading, tuberous-rooted perennials to about 1m high.
They will grow well in full sun but enjoy part shade the most.
If they are kept moist they’ll reward you for years with their tall, waving flower stems topped with white and pink blooms.
At TAFE Horticulture, we have a pink variety that has flowered in spring (main season) midsummer, and now again in autumn.
Newer varieties retain all the toughness of the early cultivars.
Look for ‘Queen Charlotte’ (pink, 80cm), ‘Whirlwind’ (white, 1m), and a dwarf variety ‘Pamina’, growing only to 45cm with deep pink blooms.
Falling into the tough, old-fashioned category is the good old garden Phlox.
While many gardeners would be familiar with the annual varieties, there are now many long-lived perennial Phlox from which to choose.
They will be happy in either full sun or part shade, and are ideal for rockeries, borders, containers and look stunning when mass planted.
They flower from spring right through to early autumn.
New varieties of this old favourite are ‘Amazing Grace’ (white/magenta centre), ‘Emerald Cushion’ (ground cover, lilac flowers), ‘McDaniels Cushion’ (ground cover, bright pink), and ‘Amethyst’ (low growing, amethyst purple).
Thanks to Plant Growers Australia (www.pga.com.au) for allowing me to use information and images in this article.