We’ve been to hell and back with this section on the garden. And because I am a middle age woman, I didn’t want to admit defeat so kept going like the stubborn wannabe green thumb I am.
Last year we had mud and water overflow from the back section (now rectified). As a result we’ve had to dig this garden bed about three times, and we’ve had three goes trying to get these heliconias to thrive (yes, three lots of plants 🤦♀️).
But I think potentially it’s getting too much sun, and the plants are not coping. I water often, and feed with a dynamic lifter spray…but it’s a never ending game of cutting off yellow and dead leaves.
Do we persevere or rip out and plant something that can handle the sun?
Location: Brisbane, where it’s hot as satans armpit.
by Just_______Looking
15 Comments
I believe heliconias are an understory plant, probably is too much sun.
Plant something else. It is easier to hack back something that grows like a weed, rather than babying a plant that just doesn’t want to grow there.
Have you tested the soil ph to see if it is what these plants like? Is it deep enough for the roots? Have you considered a temporary shade structure or cloth until.the plants are established and sun hardened? Are you buying bunnings plants (notoriously soft from down south and not hardened) or from a local nursery?
Are they heliconias or gingers btw?
Heliconias love a bit of shade. You could try a palm variety, you’ve got plenty of height to work with. Could also look into some pandanus on a trellis on your back fence there.
I’m in GC and our heliconias get full sun all day and are thriving (currently around 2-3m high). Might need to check the soil ph. Make sure it’s not waterlogged. They need specific conditions. They hate cold roots, or dry/waterlogged soil, so good drainage and mulch works great. Ours even have a black fence behind and no issues with the heat.
I thought the issue was privacy from the two storey on the hill.:)
Lilly pilly might be nice. Not too much leaf drop for the pool, you can control the height.
Cordylines have that broad-leaved tropical look, and the council puts them on median strips so they must be pretty tough.
Reverse mentality, now tell yourself you want to rid those plants and they are a nuisance. Then they will grow quicker than you expected.
The logic of Australian gardening. Those you want to get rid of, just won’t die.
We had accidental seeding of tomatoes and capsicum in our vege garden (we reuse water from washing vegetables). Went on a holiday and came back to see the biggest tomato plant that ever grew in our garden and also the biggest capsicum… (Like store bought size).
More importantly, WTF is that house doing with a birds eye view of your backyard?
Lily pily
Put in native trees. That’s a lot of concrete and that all creates heat. When they grow and give a little shade then you can try shade living things
I think it could be the summer that feels like it’s gone on for 7 months. We planted heliconias around our pool before summer. Some are thriving and some are not 🤷♀️
Trellis and trumpet vine or similar, it sounds awful and would look bad temporarily but you could just screw some reomesh on to the fence with saddles and let it go.
I’ve got a similar sized bed next to a shed and its gone right up the wall and covered the roof.