December perfect plant picks

Give a living gift this holiday and show off your eco-tribe vibes with a fancy new addition to your loved one’s plant fam. Here is a list of the top 5 latest seasonal hybrid plant picks, ready for adoption at your GCA Garden Centre. Visit our directory here and locate the store of convenience for you: www.lifeisagarden.co.za/category/garden-centres

For bae: The Hannon rose

This new hybrid tea rose has gorgeous deep pink flowers that bloom throughout the season. An added bonus is that they are exceptional cut-flowers, perfect for adding ambience on date night dine-ins. They have a mild perfume as well.

Planting and perks: Full sun beds or containers, cold and frost hardy + petals used for DIY pot pourri (add essential oils for extra heavenly fragrance). 

For bestie: Hibiscus graff

Here is the latest hibiscus species that boasts even longer-lasting flowers. Speaking of blooms, hibiscus bushes bear large flowers in bright colours, creating an exotic feel to any space they occupy. Wherever planted – they’ll steal the show.

Planting and perks: Full sun, plenty of fertiliser, water daily + petals can be brewed to create a simply delish floral tea (good for hair and digestion).

For moms: Hydrangea ‘endless summer’ aka the Christmas rose (but on steroids)

Living up to its name, this new hybrid blooms in massive pink or blue mophead flowers on both old and new wood, you guessed it – all summer long.

Planting and perks: Partial shade beds or containers, frost hardy + customisation option by adjusting the soil’s pH to yield different colour blooms (ask Google).

For rad dads: Pelargonium interspecific ‘rose splash’

A real breakthrough in floral genetics, the ‘rose splash’ features large, semi-double flowers with a dark pink centre and lighter pink borders. They reward gardens with outstanding colour throughout summer and are quick growing.

Planting and perks: Full to partial sun beds or baskets, drought hardy + resilient to a little neglect once established (just avoid frost).

For “it’s gin ‘o clock somewhere” aunt/uncle: Strawberry Elan 

Pair this overzealous new variety with a mint seedling and howzit – it’s gin ‘o clock. Strawberry Elan is a vigorous grower producing a heavy harvest of large, super sweet fruits that will quickly reproduce when picked. 

Planting and perks: Full sun in pots and baskets where they can trail, water and feed well + white flowers are highly ornamental (and pretty in salads).

Source: Life is a Garden