Tony's Tips - March 2026
It not only marks the start of a milder, wetter season (especially after a hot, dry summer) but there are lots of new season plants available and it is the best time of the year to do major planting.
What’s in season:
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We have a great range of new season Sasanqua Camellias which start flowering this month through to July! Sasanquas are still my favourite flowering hedge. Plant them up on a mound in improved soil and watch them go. Sasanquas are the sun loving Camellia that will cope with semi-shade.
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Hydrangea paniculata or ‘Pee Wee’, are more sun tolerant than traditional hydrangeas and produce spectacular cone-shaped white flower panicles in late summer and autumn. They grow a little taller and more upright than normal types and thrive in compost-enriched soil to encourage strong, healthy root development. Varieties such as ‘Sundae Fraise’ and ‘Rouge Diamond’ add even more interest, with blooms that gradually blush to soft pink and deep russet tones as they mature.
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We also have new season Pansies, Primulas, Poppies and Violas, ideal to brighten up your autumn, winter and spring for garden beds or to put a pot of colour by the front door.
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Azaleas, Correas, Cyclamen are all in season now and will add colour and interest to your cool season garden.
Camellia Sasanqua‘Blush’
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Hydrangea Paniculata‘Sundae Fraise’
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Things to Do:
1. Feed your garden and lawn
Autumn is a growth season but plants need fertiliser to encourage and sustain that growth and recover from a challenging summer. Quality fertiliser gives a quality result.
2. Plant new season veggies
Plant seasonal veggies: cabbage, caulis, broccoli, kale plus all season veg like lettuce, rocket and parsley. If you’re not replanting your veggie patch until spring, sow a green manure crop now to naturally replenish and enrich your soil, ready for the next season of growth.
3. Bulb planting time
Winter flowering bulbs will be in this month including our favourite yellow trumpet daffodil ‘Welcome’, ideal to plant under roses. Tulips need a colder winter than ours so put them in the crisper for 6 weeks to “chill” the bulb and ensure good flowering.
4. Garden issues: come in and chat to us
Watch out for Azalea Lace Bug on Azaleas, Rhodos and Viburnums, Lawn Beetle Grub in lawns and an outbreak of Rose Black Spot on roses. Come into the nursery and we can talk you through how to best prevent or control these problems.