Who doesn’t love a hydrangea?

Right now, I have some gorgeous white-flowering hydrangeas - wonderful plants for the summer garden.

As we move further into the warmer months, hydrangeas really come into their own.

The traditional mop-top hydrangeas are the ones most people know, producing beautiful blue or pink blooms. The flower colour is determined by the soil’s pH: if they’re blue, your soil is acidic; if they’re pink, it’s more alkaline.

You can even change their colour by adjusting the soil. To encourage blue flowers, use a hydrangea bluing tonic. If you have blue ones and want them pink, add lime to raise the pH - soon you’ll be rewarded with pink blooms.

Hydrangeas are fantastic plants for gardens that receive good morning sun and protection from the hot westerly sun in the afternoon. They dislike drying out, so water deeply at the base or crown of the plant rather than over the top.

Avoid watering the leaves or flowers - this can lead to a fungal disease on the blooms called botrytis.

There are other beautiful types of hydrangeas too. Hydrangea quercifolia, the oak-leaf hydrangea, produces lovely flowers that differ from the mop-top form - more of a spiked inflorescence - but equally gorgeous and a great garden addition.

Keep an eye out for pink and burgundy varieties as well. These hold their colour regardless of soil pH, offering a reliably stunning display.

Hydrangeas are definitely something to consider for your summer garden.

Pelargoniums (commonly called geraniums)

Next, let’s talk about the pelargonium - often referred to as a geranium. True geraniums are a different species, but pelargoniums are the ones most gardeners love and grow.

Pelargoniums are perfect for seaside gardens because they’re highly salt-tolerant.

They also thrive in hot, sunny positions - ideal plants for tough summer spots.

They look brilliant in hanging baskets and window boxes, and there are even climbing forms. Colours range from bright reds and pinks to deep burgundies - and they’re all incredibly easy to grow.

Pelargoniums don’t like “wet feet,” so ensure good drainage. Water at the base of the plant, not over the leaves, to prevent fungal problems like leaf spot.

All in all, they’re cheerful, hardy, and forgiving - a must-have for sunny gardens.

A touch of festive colour: NSW Christmas Bush

With Christmas not too far away, you might already be thinking about what plants will bring festive cheer to your garden.

A true classic is the NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum). It’s in flower now in spring, producing small creamy-white blooms. 

As summer approaches, the calyx of each flower expands and turns a brilliant red - giving you that perfect festive colour just in time for Christmas.

This is a wonderful native shrub that needs good drainage and prefers full sun, though it will tolerate part shade.

Regular clipping helps keep it dense and shapely, ensuring a great display year after year - and plenty of Christmas bush for your holiday table.