Historically, February at the Sanctuary Point Garden Centre is a month for refresh and renewal.  The weather is generally hot and steamy and the plans for the coming Autumn and Winter months are in full swing.  General maintenance is high on the agenda and the ongoing improvements we’re implementing around the nursery are taking shape nicely.

Bare root ornamental and fruit trees have been ordered and will arrive in the cooler months of June.  Seed Potatoes, Seed Garlic, Rhubarb Crowns and Asparagus Crowns have also been ordered and they’ll start to arrive from April.

This February we’ll have see the arrival of some much anticipated Native Finger Limes, we haven’t been able to get them for a while, so we’re pretty excited about having these back in stock.

Native Finger Limes, Gulalung (Bundjalung) have been the darling of the fine dining institution for a few years now and have graced some of the fanciest restaurant menus, across the globe.

These little balls of explosive citrus can are used in savory dishes or sweets and are even used in drinks.  They’re delicious on fresh Oysters and a great addition to seafood in general.

They’re really easy to grow, just ensure they have a free draining soil and a bright/sunny spot.  Flowers appear in Autumn followed in Winter and Spring by finger shaped fruit.

The trees are very prickly so ensure there’s plenty of space around them so you can easily harvest your fruit.

Another much anticipated arrival in February are the Abutilon (Chinese Lantern).   The Chinese Lantern, named from their lantern shaped, hibiscus looking pendulous flowers is a small to medium shrub growing between 1-2m high.  Chinese Lanterns are happy to grow in pots, however they hate wet feet so ensure the pots are free draining and the potting mix is good quality.  Extra watering will be needed in the hot Summer months, however minimal watering will be required in the Winter.   Flowering occurs from late Winter into Summer and pruning can be done in early Winter.  Feeding should be done with a controlled release fertiliser in both Spring and Autumn and then feed with a liquid fertiliser regularly whilst they’re flowering to keep the plant healthy and flowering prolific.

Abutilon in red and orange are available at the Sanctuary Point Garden Centre from early February 2023.

Vigna caracalla (Snail Creeper Vine) is one of the most exquisite  climbing plants and a beautiful addition to any garden.  Snail Creeper Vines originate from South America, however do very well on the NSW South Coast.  If you get frosts, you’ll need to protect these plants.

This semi-deciduous fast growing climber sports the most intriguing spiral shaped flowers. Fragrant blooms age from white to purple, then yellow during the summer months. This highly ornamental creeper is an eye-catching feature over a trellis.

Snail Creeper Vines like a sunny position, they can cope with some shade but this could inhibit flowering.  Feed and water regularly throughout the Summer months to encourage rapid lush green foliage and abundant flower production.

Pycnosorus globosus (Billy Buttons) is a very unique perennial native plant with long stemmed golden globe flowers.

Flowering, from spring to summer, Billy Buttons naturally grow in swampy places, so need a moist but well drained soil to thrive.  Being frost and drought tolerant they’re particularly suited to coastal locations.

They love a sunny spot, regular watering and a generous application of native fertiliser to keep them flowering.

Great cut flowers, long lasting, stout stems, with an eye catching shape, Billy Buttons can be dried and used in flower displays.

Billy Buttons are back in stock at the Sanctuary Point Garden Centre in February 2023.