FEBRUARY

Viola cornuta is a lovely early spring plant which grows well in light, well drained soil. A member of the violacea family, which includes the much larger pansy, it is sometimes known as the 'Horned Violet'. It looks especially well if grown in groups beneath roses or shrubs or even in pots. Originally thought to have come from pasture land in the Pyrenees, it has been around as a garden plant or escapee since 1776.  Much breeding has taken place in more recent times resulting in many named varieties. Viola 'Tiger's Eye' is particularly striking. Having been fertilised by insects attracted to the vast range of colours, plants self-seed all over the place resulting in many new colour combinations.

Some are annuals and others perennials (plants which come up every year) and have attractive scalloped leaves that contrast well with the single flower that appears on the top of a long stem. The flowers have 5 petals with one big petal in the lower centre and some have a delicate perfume.  All petals have a spur or horn pointing downwards on the end. Dead heading regularly will ensure plenty of flowers during spring time and into the summer, until temperatures become too high.

They are such good and well proven garden plants that the Royal Horticultural Society bestowed them with an Award of Garden Merit. (AGM).

JANUARY

Nerine bowdenii is another good herbaceous perennial from South Africa. Just when everything is beginning to go over in October, along come the nerines in an explosion of colour, and given reasonable weather they will flower right through December and into January too. The flowers, which look like pink agapanthus, appear on long stems atop the long strap-like leaves. On a warm autumn day you may find that they have a slight musky perfume. The leaves eventually die down and the bulb is dormant throughout the summer. Although they have only been known on the  British mainland since 1903 when they were brought over from the Drakensburg Mountains, they were discovered on Guernsey in the early seventeenth century, after a box of bulbs was washed ashore from a wrecked East Indiaman. So they were given the name of ‘Guernsey Lily’. Another  common name 'Jersey Lily', is said to have been given to them after the famous actress Lily Langtry, mistress of The Prince of Wales.

Nerine bulbs should be planted in a warm dry position,  preferably at the base of a south facing wall, where in a mass planting they will look fabulous. The bulbs should have their necks exposed just like amaryllis to which family they belong and can be left in the garden throughout the year, as once established they do not like to be disturbed. They may not flower in their first year or when they are split up having become over crowded. Feed with a low nitrogen, high potassium liquid feed to ensure plentiful flowers at the expense of the leaves.

The Plant Finder lists over 130 varieities and species although Nerine bowdenii is perhaps the most famous and reliable.

DECEMBER

Euphorbia milii is a woody succulent plant originally found growing in Madagascar. In Cyprus it is mostly used as an outdoor pot plant, tolerating a wide range of temperatures and many different soil conditions. It is an ideal plant for seaside gardens as salt laden winds, or salty soils have little effect on it. Euphorbias belong to the spurge family known for their milky sap.  If a stem is broken off then the sap will ooze from the wound. This sap can be highly irritating to skin and poisonous if ingested, so always wear thick gloves when dealing with any euphorbias.  There are also vicious spines along the stems, which can pierce the skin, so take care when handling them. That said it is a very handsome smallish bush with soft green leaves and flowers that bloom almost constantly. They are known as bracts, and can be red, pink, yellow or cream.  

Propagation is by stem cuttings or by seed, if any appear. Cuttings should be allowed to dry and callous before planting in a pot of coarse compost. They can be grown on in sun or shade and are drought tolerant, only needing to be watered when the soil has dried out. Trim the stems occasionally to keep the plant in good health, and remove any weak, crossing stems or excess branches. After trimming and occasionally throughout the growing season, feed the plant with an all round liquid fertiliser

NOVEMBER

I featured this Plant of the Month in 2006 but still get enquires about it each November when it is in flower. This shrub or small tree eventually can grow to around 4 metres with a spread of perhaps 3 metres. Belonging to the Malvaceae family it came originally from Southern China but is now grown in many warm parts of the world, especially the southern States of the USA – hence its common names.  In Cyprus you will find it mainly in old gardens but it is increasing in popularity here as more and more people discover its beauty. Mutabilis means changing and the flowers change colour almost before your eyes. When the huge rose-like flowers first open they are white, changing gradually to pink and just before they die later in the day, they are a reddish hue. They can be single or double and the main attraction of the plant is that you can have all three stages of the flowers out at the same time. 

The light green leaves, which drop in winter, are hirsute underneath (meaning hairy) and they are similar in shape to an abutilon leaf with very pointed leaf ends. This plant does not like cold winter temperatures so don't grow it above 350 metres elevation. It prefers a rich free-draining soil, so if your soil is poor do feed the plant well using a high potassium fertiliser. Although it is sometimes described as 'drought tolerant' I have found this not to be so, as it droops quickly if the ground dries out. Grow it in a sunny spot, as it doesn't like shade either. Propagation is by seeds, (let them dry on the plant before harvesting) or by cuttings that can be taken in the spring

OCTOBER

Gardenias are natives of tropical and sub-tropical Africa and Australia and members of the Coffee family - Rubiaceae. They are somewhat difficult to grow as they like high humidity, but they should do well in coastal areas here. Gardenias should not be placed in direct sunlight or their leaves will burn and they dislike draughts as well.  As a pot plant they can grow to 1 – 2 metres and will flower in the summer through to autumn. The flowers, which appear on the new growth on the stem ends, can be singles or doubles and are most fragrant. In times gone by gentlemen often wore them as buttonholes

Gardenias need good drainage and should be grown in compost suitable for acid loving plants. Feed them with a high potash fertiliser 2 or 3 times a week during the growing season. The leaves are glossy and leathery but over-watering or heavy misting can cause them to turn yellow and the flowers to turn brown, especially if water gets onto them. It is best to stand them on a gravel tray and put the water in that, or you can soak the plant in its pot in a bucket of water every few days, letting the water drain away afterwards. Day temperatures of 20-24C suit them best, and at night around 15-18 C. Fluctuations in temperatures cause leaf drop, whilst hot nights are the cause of the non-appearance of flowers. Propagate by soft wood cuttings in winter or early spring. Watch out for spider mites, scale insects, mealy bugs and aphids that may attack the plant.