Create a Green Oasis

Prepare

Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. If you are starting with an existing garden bed add organic matter like Tui Compost and Tui Super Sheep Pellets to replenish your soil and add nutrient-rich organic matter. Dig in to the soil.

Then add a layer of Tui Garden Mix. Tui Garden Mix creates the perfect conditions for thriving healthy plants. It contains nutrient-rich organic matter to improve soil condition and high analysis fertilisers to reduce transplant shock and encourage rapid establishment of plants and robust root growth.

Plant picks for a green oasis

• Gardenia jasminoides ‘Veitchii’ - an evergreen flowering plant that grows best in full to partial sun. It has glossy dark green leaves and highly perfumed white flowers.
• Hibiscus - hibiscus add a gorgeous colourful touch to any tropical garden. It’s important to prune hibiscus well once a year in order to stimulate new growth, as you would with roses.
• Ginger ‘Alpinia Nuntas’ - sometimes known as dwarf cardamon ginger, the large dark green foliage on this low growing ginger has a fragrance to it. It is an evergreen perennial that makes a fantastic ground cover.
• Pseudopanax ‘Cyril Watson' - this evergreen native has decorative shiny foliage with multiple stems. Preferring well-drained soil in a sunny position, this plant forms an attractive bush shrub.
• Hoheria populnea ‘Purple Wave' - a fast-growing native tree that can reach heights of 4metres. Striking dark green leaves that are purple underside. Bears an abundance of white blossom-like flowers through summer.
• Chatham Island Nikau Palm - this well-known, fast-growing palm has a high tolerance for wind, dry summers and poor soils. A wonderful addition to any tropical garden bed, it also fits well within any contemporary garden design.

Plant

The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the day, so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away.

Check individual planting instructions on plant labels and follow the recommendations for amount of space it needs.

Directions for planting:

• Soak plants in Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic plant tonic before planting. This will help prevent transplant shock and promote strong root growth.
• Add a layer of mix to the planting area.
• Dig a hole, approximately twice the depth and width of the root ball of your plant.
• Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position in the centre of the hole.
• Fill in with Tui Garden Mix.
• Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
• Water your plant well and continue to water regularly.

Nourish

Replenishing nutrients used by your plants ensures they will grow to their full potential, improving flowering for prolific blooms to brighten your backyard. Use Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser an all purpose compound fertiliser so your plants receive a balanced and even spread of all essential nutrients for maximum flowering and lush green foliage.

Well watered, well nourished plants will have a better chance of keeping insect pests and diseases at bay.

Protect

Protect your trees from the elements with layers of mulch. Add a layer of Tui Mulch & Feed about 50mm deep around plants to suppress weeds and help conserve moisture. Be careful not to leave the mulch touching the trunk/stem of the plants as this can cause rot.