Prostantheras, or mint bushes, are showy shrubs, endemic to Australia, grown for their masses of beautiful bell-shaped flowers in spring, and sweetly-aromatic foliage that permeates through the garden after a rain or on a hot summer’s day.
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They are also valued for their ornamental appeal as well as the essential oils and spices they produce.
They’re not particularly fussy but a semi-shade position in a sandy, free-draining soil would be ideal to plant them in.
Mint bushes are fast growing and tend to be short lived. Species vary in shape and size, and flower colour ranges from purple, red, pink and mauve to green/yellow and cream or white.
Different species have differing aromatic properties so plant a selection for a wide range of fragrances.
The most popular varieties seen in gardens are Prostanthera incana a hardy variety with grey-tinged, sometimes hairy, leaves and large violet flowers in spring; P. melissifolia grown for its very striking deep lilac flowers and P. cuneata a small compact, frost-tolerant shrub with large purple-throated white flowers.
P. ovalifolia has masses of bright purple flowers; P. rotundifolia with its rounded leaves makes a great fragrant hedge and P. saxicola has a spreading habit and is probably the hardiest of the mints with pale mauve to white flowers in spring.
In the landscape they make good hedging plants for a pathway or as a quick-growing massed colour display.
Prostantheras benefit from regular tip pruning after flowering to keep them in a bushy shape. Don’t cut back into bare wood as this won’t regrow. In spring give a small feed of a camellia-specific fertiliser.
Contact your local native plant society if you have difficulty in sourcing any native plants.
Also Alstroemerias
Alstroemerias brighten up any garden with their brilliantly-marked, long-lasting, lily-like flowers that come in shades of orange, pink, purple, red, white and yellow.
A symbol of prosperity and wealth these South American beauties, sometimes referred to as Peruvian lilies, are extremely popular as cut flowers especially for wedding and Mother’s Day bouquets.
The most sought-after varieties are results of crosses between species from Chile and Brazil. In recent years there have been many new hybrid varieties released thanks to the dedication of plant breeders.
Named after the Swedish botanist Baron Alstromer, Alstroemerias grow easily from a cluster of tubers and once planted can remain in the garden for years.
A light, well-drained soil in a sunny, warm border is the ideal spot for them. They also need consistent moisture especially when flowering.
To pick the stems, grasp the flower stalk at the base near the ground and pull upwards until the whole stem comes away. This continuous picking encourages the formation of new shoots. They have a long vase life if the water is changed often and the stem ends trimmed.
Alstroemerias attract birds to the garden and when planted amongst bulbs make great foils to disguise unsightly, post-flowering bulb foliage.
Diary
May 9: Longford Garden Club meets at the Christ Church Parish Hall, William Street, Longford at 7.30pm.
May 15: Australian Plant Society meets at the Max Fry Hall, Gorge Rd, Trevallyn at 7.30pm. Speaker is Christine Howells on “The Flora of Central Australia”.
May 16: The Launceston Horticultural Society meet at the Windmill Hill Hall, High Street, Launceston at 8pm. Visitors welcome, home-made supper.
May 17: The Launceston Orchid Society meets at the Newnham Uniting Church Hall, George Town Road, Launceston at 7pm.
