Now that we have eventually reached a constant in summer temperatures in what was a topsy turvy spring, new plantings can be considered for filling in gaps or starting anew with a clean palette.

It is interesting to see the plant nurseries growing a wider range of material, thus broadening the selection process for the landscape in general.

As with anything new, trial periods are the ‘proof of the pudding’ in establishing the success or failure in the landscape. I have, over the last couple of years, tried various “new” introductions to the Bermuda landscape palette, with successes and failures.

There are numerous variables which cover the gamut of success or otherwise, locations, shade, open ground, protected areas, depth of soil and type of soil and so on. Some of the more interesting items to consider:

Leymus arenarius — Blue Lyme Grass; metallic blue-grey foliage with a creeping rootstock creates a most interesting statement when used as a ground cover planted between solid green foliage. Especially useful on banks to arrest soil erosion and stabilise slope.

Grasses perhaps have lost to some extent their popularity, but they are still a very attractive addition to the garden when used correctly.

Thysanolaena maxima — Tiger grass requires a protected area as it is prolific reaching to ten feet in time; it clumps as it matures and makes a bold statement when used as a single specimen.

Pennisetum setaceum “Rubrum” is a clumping grass spreading to three feet and attaining a similar height; it is the rich purple foliage and flower plumes which make it stand out. Use a spot plant amongst green or grey foliage to make the most impact.

Phalaris arundinacea “Strawberries & Cream” — I often wonder, who thinks up such names — will tolerate partial sun to slight shade. Foliage is striated with creamy white infused with strawberry pink and has a spreading habit. I have used as an under planting to semi-mature Phoenix lourei - Pygmy Date palm, with good effect.

Salvias are attractive in their various forms of flower and leaf colour. Two in particular have grey foliage, S. leucantha and S. Beauty of Bath, whilst S. greggii has red flowers with several varieties from which to choose.

Ground cover plants are always a useful addition to any garden with Ceratostigma plumbaginoides having deep blue flowers creating a carpet effect when grouped together. Barleria repans or Coral Creeper has a low growing mounding habit with orange/red flowers, again, I prefer to plant in groups of three or five. Aptenia cordifolia has been in vogue for awhile, and is an efficient plant for literally carpeting a piece of ground especially slopes with red or yellow flowers and small succulent leaves. It lasts a couple of seasons at its best. New varieties of Scaevola and Scuttelaria are worth trying in sunny protected areas, the former having light blue flowers whilst the latter have a deep blue/purple flower.

Small trees are best suited to small protected gardens; several such items have re-emerged of late which is a bonus for the small garden owner. Cassias are found in shrubby forms as well as trees, C. bicapsularis is a tree species attaining a height of approximately fifteen feet, with solid yellow blossoms and light ethereal foliage, and it does not overcrowd a small area but rather draws attention to itself when in bloom.

Parkinsonia aculeatea has re-appeared on the nursery scene, and this to is an excellent tree for small protected gardens. Stems are needle thin with thorns; foliage is light and feathery and flowers are yellow with a darker throat.

Groupings of three or five if kept under control by regular pruning, makes a bold but ethereal statement.

Lagunaria pattersonii — Norfolk Island Hibiscus with rose pink to lilac flowers attains a height to twenty five feet usually evergreen in protected areas, with a light green foliage which is a good contrast to normal greener foliage.

Sabinea carinalis — Carib wood tree, is similar in habit to Parkinsonia with its foliage consisting of many smallish leaves creating a filigree effect when viewed from afar, flowers are red.

Selection is only the first part of creating an interest in the landscape, a healthy disease free plant, installed in a large enough hole to sustain growth for many years coupled with watering and fertilising will produce the end product envisaged. Having said that, beware of the slash and cut bandits who can reduce a flowering masterpiece into a creation of surrealism gone wrong.

As June was a rather wet month, consider checking for pest and diseases, especially aphids which thrive on soft new growth and black spot on roses. Additional applications of fertiliser will not be out of place, as leaching especially on sandy soils is always a problem. Always clean spray equipment after use and never use a herbicide mix in a sprayer used for pest and disease control, just in case residue is nor properly cleansed from the inner parts of the spray equipment.

Now’s the time to rethink the garden