In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best year-round flower picks for your gardens, delve into a seasonal planting guide, and offer practical tips for keeping your blooms flourishing through the year.
Top Year-Round Flower Picks for NZ Gardens
Geraniums
Geraniums are a beloved choice for gardeners across New Zealand, known for their vibrant colors and hardy nature. These perennial favorites thrive in a variety of conditions, including full sun and partial shade, making them incredibly versatile. Geraniums come in various types, including zonal, ivy, and hardy geraniums, each offering a unique charm.
They are not only easy to care for but also resilient to pests and diseases. With regular watering, geraniums can bloom from spring through to autumn. Their thick, rounded leaves provide a lush background for their vibrant flowers, which can be red, pink, violet, or white, depending on the variety.
Lavender
Nothing evokes the essence of summer quite like the fragrant aroma of lavender. This drought-resistant perennial thrives in well-draining soil and full sunlight, making it a perfect match for many areas in New Zealand. Lavender is cherished not only for its beauty but also for its versatility in traditional and modern applications, from culinary uses to essential oils.
The rich purple flower spikes attract bees and butterflies, making it a fantastic choice for pollinator gardens. Moreover, lavender requires little maintenance once established; a light pruning after flowering can help to keep the plants compact and encourage new growth for the following season.
Violas and Pansies
Bright and cheerful, violas and pansies are a staple in Kiwi gardens, especially during the cooler months. While these lovely flowers are typically associated with spring, they have a surprising ability to thrive in summer conditions too, given ample watering and partial shade.
With a variety of colors and patterns, they add a playful element to garden beds, containers, and hanging baskets. Violas bloom continuously and can last well into autumn, providing color when many other plants start to fade. Their dainty, heart-shaped leaves and bright flowers create an inviting atmosphere, perfect for enhancing any outdoor space.
Gazania
These vibrant, sun-loving flowers are known for their striking colors, ranging from yellows to pinks and reds, often with eye-catching patterns. Gazanias are perfect for the New Zealand summer, as they thrive in sunny, dry conditions and bloom profusely during the hotter months.
Low-maintenance and drought-resistant, they flourish in poor soils, making them ideal for coastal gardens or areas with limited irrigation. The petals of gazanias actually close at night and during overcast weather, a spectacular sight to behold when they unfurl in full sunlight.
Calendula (Pot Marigold)
Calendula, commonly known as pot marigold, is both beautiful and beneficial for your garden. Known for their bright orange and yellow blooms, calendulas thrive in New Zealand’s varying climates and can flower from late spring through autumn. These cheerful flowers can easily self-seed, meaning you might find new plants sprouting in the most unexpected places!
Aside from their aesthetic appeal, calendulas have medicinal properties and can be used in herbal remedies, culinary dishes, or homemade skincare products. They are also great companions for other plants, attracting beneficial insects while deterring pests.
Alyssum
Alyssum is a charming ground cover that flourishes in New Zealand’s sunny gardens. Known for its delicate white, pink, or purple flowers, it forms a lush mat that can fill gaps in borders or containers. Alyssum’s sweet fragrance attracts pollinators, making it a wonderful addition to any garden aimed at fostering wildlife.
This annual flower is low-maintenance and thrives in a variety of soil types. Regular deadheading encourages prolonged blooming throughout the warmer months, allowing you to enjoy its beauty longer.
Salvia
Salvia is a remarkable plant group that offers an array of colors, sizes, and growth habits, making it a favorite among New Zealand gardeners. Known for their tubular flowers, these plants attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, adding a dynamic element to the garden ecosystem.
Salvias are drought-tolerant and thrive in well-drained soils, making them perfect for a low-maintenance garden. With varieties that bloom from spring to fall, they can provide continuous color and interest for many months.
Cyclamen (Winter Star)
Though cyclamen are often associated with winter, some varieties bloom beautifully during the summer, earning them a place in our year-round flower guide. The captivating upward-facing flowers with heart-shaped leaves add a touch of elegance to any setting.
Cyclamen prefer cooler conditions and can be successfully grown in shaded areas or under trees where they can thrive without full sunlight. They will flourish in well-drained soil, and while they prefer cooler temperatures, they can adapt to a warmer climate with adequate watering and shade.
Petunias
Petunias are the quintessential summer flower, offering a vibrant array of colors, sizes, and forms. Gardeners in New Zealand favor them for their versatility and ease of care. Whether used in hanging baskets, window boxes, or garden borders, petunias can bring life to any outdoor space.
These annuals prefer full sun and well-drained soil and require regular watering to keep them blooming throughout the summer. With their cheerful demeanor and delightful fragrance, petunias are sure to brighten your garden.
Camellias
Though many think of camellias as fall and winter bloomers, certain varieties can thrive and blossom throughout the summer as well. With their glossy green leaves and large, stunning flowers, camellias bring a touch of elegance to any garden setting.
These shade-loving perennials prefer acidic soil and require regular watering, especially when young. When planted correctly, they can bloom in shades of white, pink, or red and are known for their long-lasting flowers that can stand out beautifully against a backdrop of green foliage.
Seasonal Planting Guide
Spring
As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, spring is the perfect time to begin planting in New Zealand. This is when many gardeners finish their preparation by turning over the soil, adding compost, and ensuring the area is ready for new plants.
Consider planting spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and bluebells. Alongside those, early bloomers such as pansies and violas can add immediate color.
Summer
During the summer months, focus on flowers that thrive in the heat, like petunias, geraniums, and gazanias. Ensure adequate watering, especially during dry spells, and don’t forget to mulch around the base of your plants to preserve soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Succession planting can also be useful in summer; sow seeds of fast-growing annuals like zinnias or marigolds to ensure a continuous bloom throughout the season.
Autumn
As the cooler months approach, it’s time to prepare for the transition. This is an ideal season to plant new perennials that will establish strong root systems before winter sets in. Consider adding cyclamen, salvias, and fall-blooming asters.
Autumn is also the time to clean up your garden; removing spent plants and weeds helps prevent pests and diseases from overwintering. It’s also a great time to add organic matter to the soil, giving your plants a nutrient boost for the coming spring.
Winter
While the garden may seem dormant in winter, it’s still vital to care for your plants. Winter is a good time for planting evergreen perennials, and camellias are excellent choices that can add color and variety even in the cold months.
Consider also protecting your more delicate flowers with frost cloth, ensuring their survival for the seasons ahead. This is a time to reflect on your garden design, making plans for new blooms come spring.
Tips for Keeping Flowers Blooming Year-Round
Regular Deadheading
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to encourage continuous blooming in your garden is deadheading. This involves removing spent flowers before they go to seed. By doing this, you redirect the plant’s energy from seed production back into blooming, resulting in more vibrant and longer-lasting flowers. Regular deadheading can keep your garden looking fresh and healthy all season long.
Mulching to Protect Roots
Mulch can be a gardener’s best friend, especially in New Zealand’s varied climate. Applying a layer of mulch around your flower beds helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain a consistent soil temperature. It also protects plant roots during the colder months. Organic mulch, such as straw or wood chips, will decompose over time, adding beneficial nutrients to the soil.
Seasonal Feeding
Feeding your flowers according to the season is crucial for their vigor and blooming potential. During active growing seasons like spring and summer, consider using a balanced liquid fertilizer to provide essential nutrients. Look for fertilizers specifically formulated for flowers to enhance flowering. In contrast, reduce feeding during fall and winter when most plants will enter dormancy.
Rotate Pots or Use Moveable Planters
If you enjoy container gardening, rotating pots or using moveable planters allows you to easily shift plants for the best sunlight exposure throughout the seasons. This tactic helps ensure all your flowers receive adequate sunlight, maximizing their growth and blooming potential. Additionally, it enables you to change your garden’s aesthetic easily, keeping it fresh and lively.
Use Frost Cloth in Colder Months
In winter, protecting delicate plants from frost is essential for their survival. Frost cloth is an affordable and efficient barrier that can help maintain warmer temperatures around your plants. Simply drape the cloth over your flowers during particularly cold nights, securing the edges to prevent wind from blowing it away. This simple act can make a significant difference in protecting your investment and ensuring a spectacular bloom come spring.
