Some winter warmth (colour wise at least).

Winter in Sydney is not nearly as grim as it’s made out to be. Don’t get me wrong, I hate it; it’s cold, it’s dark, and half of the trees in my area look dead (while the other half may as well be for all the growing they’re doing). But the claim that a winter garden is a stark and lifeless place is, quite simply, false.

There are scores of plants that produce flowers and fruit during the winter months, daring the birds and bees (and the more courageous/crazy gardeners) to brave the cold. The rewards for those that do are some of the most spectacular floral displays to be seen all year, and the cascading flame-like blooms of Pyrostegia venusta are one of winter’s standouts.

Commonly known as “Orange Trumpet Vine”, Pyrostegia is a vigorous climber that does what it says on the tin- swarms of orange flowers, shaped like simple wind instruments, grow in thick clusters all over the vine from May through to August. Hailing from South America, Pyrostegia can be found along the warmer coastlines of Australia, from Perth around to Sydney, thriving in full-sun positions. It has reasonable drought tolerance once established and works brilliantly as a cover over a boring fence or up a wall (with some wire or a lattice to assist it). A light trim after flowering will encourage healthy growth in the Spring, as will a feed with an organic fertiliser (such as “Organic Life Pellets”, available at Four Seasons Nursery) every three to six months.

If well fed and watered Pyrostegia has outstanding resistance to pests and diseases, and it won’t take over your garden like an Ivy or Wisteria. Four Seasons Nursery has plenty in stock all year round, so if you’d like to see some colour in your garden during Winter, or if you have any questions about how best to grow them, pop in to the nursery today and speak to any of our ever-friendly staff.

Cheers,

Mike P.