Crab apples (Malus spp.) are a frenzy of bee-attracting flowers in early spring and come in a range of beautiful colours including deep pink, white, scarlet red and pastel pink. Different varieties range from 3 to 6m tall and some have attractive autumn foliage or small edible fruit. Crab apples are ideal for small to medium sized gardens in cool and temperate climates, providing summer shade and being deciduous, allowing in winter sun.

Jacarandas (Jacaranda mimosifolia) are at their spectacular flowering best in mid to late October and November, creating a gorgeous haze of purple in warm areas. Not only are jacarandas gorgeous when in flower, they are fabulous shade trees for large gardens, growing up to 15m tall. The leaves fall in mid spring followed by their glorious floral display. Jacarandas grow best in temperate and sub-tropical climates, however in cooler areas will tolerate light frosts once established (protect the tree from frost while it’s young).

Kowhai (Sophora microphylla) is a beautiful native tree that has golden yellow flowers in spring that are particularly adored by tui. Growing to around 4m tall it has semi-weeping branches and can be evergreen or partly deciduous depending on the climate.

Loropetalum ‘Plum Gorgeous’ has year-round deep purple foliage and intriguing pink tasselled flowers in spring and autumn. Growing to around 1.5m tall and 2m wide, it maintains a naturally dense domed habit and can be used in mixed garden beds, grown as an informal hedge or makes a stunning feature plant in full or part shade.

Port wine magnolia (Magnolia figo) is a large dense evergreen shrub, growing to around 3m tall, that has divinely scented mauve and cream cup shaped flowers in spring. They smell like bubble gum! It’s an ideal screening plant or to grow near a window and allow the fragrance to waft inside.

Azaleas range from petite bushes to large shrubs and come in almost every colour from white through to bright pink and also yellow and salmon as well as two toned and double flowers. Happiest in a garden bed or pot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade, they’ll bring beautiful colour into the garden.

Most trees and shrubs prefer a well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. You can improve the quality of the soil in the planting hole by mixing in some Yates ® Thrive ® Natural Blood & Bone. It will also provide the new tree or shrub with slow release organic nutrients as it establishes.

It’s important to water the new plant in well and continue to water regularly for several months, particularly as the weather warms up in late spring. Apply an organic mulch, such as bark chips, around the root zone to reduce moisture loss from the soil.

Control any weeds or grasses that creep into the root zone with careful spot sprays of Yates Nature’s Way ® Organic Weed Spray. In addition to looking untidy, weeds steal valuable water and nutrients from trees and shrubs and can harbour pests and diseases. Once the new tree or shrub has established, promote healthy leaf growth and a fabulous flower show next spring by regularly applying

Food around the root zone. It contains a special combination of fast and slow release nitrogen, that feeds plants for up to 12 weeks, plus it’s rich in flower-promoting potassium.

Spread mulch over garden beds, vegie patches and on the top of pots to reduce the amount of moisture lost from the soil. It also helps to protect the soil surface from the sun. Organic mulches such as bark chips and straw are ideal, as when they break down they add valuable organic matter to the soil, which helps store more moisture. It’s best to water in the cool of the morning to help prepare plants for the day ahead and 1-2 thorough and deep waterings a week are better than more frequent lighter waterings. Place a bucket in the shower and collect the water before it runs hot. This water, that would normally be lost down the drain, can be used on potted plants and garden beds. Apply Yates ® Thrive ® Natural Seaweed Tonic around plants to improve plant resistance to stressful conditions such as drought. ‘Grey water’ from the washing machine can be collected and used to water lawns, flower beds and ornamental trees and shrubs. Choose laundry detergents that are suitable for grey water use and apply grey water around different parts of the garden so the same plants or lawn areas are not being constantly watered with grey water.