Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to keep your home virus-free

How to keep your home virus-free

Where to buy Australia’s best hot cross buns

Where to buy Australia’s best hot cross buns

Our top picks from Kmart's Easter decor and homewares range

Our top picks from Kmart's Easter decor and homewares range

Does vinegar really kill germs?

Does vinegar really kill germs?

{headline}

{headline}

How to care for your lawn this autumn

How to care for your lawn this autumn

How to rid your kitchen of ants quickly

How to rid your kitchen of ants quickly

3 genius ways to get rid of fruit flies naturally

3 genius ways to get rid of fruit flies naturally

{headline}

{headline}

This is Australia's Town of the Year for 2021

This is Australia's Town of the Year for 2021

Before & after: An incredible patio transformation

Before & after: An incredible patio transformation

6 of the most dangerous areas in Sydney

6 of the most dangerous areas in Sydney

How to keep kids busy in the garden

How to keep kids busy in the garden

Skewered charred calamari

Skewered charred calamari

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

  1. Home
  2. Garden

The best plants for beginner outdoor gardeners

Never had a garden before? These are the best outdoor plants for you. - by Laura Barry
  • 28 Jan 2020

WATCH: How to make your own hanging garden

If you’ve always lived in an apartment, or small residences with nothing but a courtyard for a garden, then moving into a property with room to plant can be both exciting and intimidating.

Being a successful outdoor gardener is very different to keeping indoor potted plants alive and happy, so you’ll need a new set of skills and gardening knowledge if you want to plant and grow your first outdoor garden.

We aske horticulturalist and Victa Ambassador, Adam Woodhams, what the best plants for beginner outdoor gardeners are, and he gave us his top four favourites.

“These are some of my garden favourites that are perfect for budding gardeners still on their ‘L’ plates. Remember, you always need to evaluate your planting spots, such as shady, sunny, cool, warm, shallow soil, clay soil, and take these sort of things into account when selecting plants,” says Adam.

1. Murraya (Murraya paniculata)

“Beautiful tropical-looking foliage, a profusion of small, white, richly fragrant flowers throughout the year and almost un-killable - Murraya is a fantastic ‘everything’ plant! Technically, it’s a large shrub, but you can keep it pruned to virtually any shape or size, so it’s a great chance to develop your shaping skills. They’ll thrive in sun or part-shade, can be used solo or as hedging or topiary. Although they do prefer reliable moisture, they can tolerate dry periods once established.”

murraya plant
Getty

2. Clumping bamboos (various species)

“Hardy, beautiful and fantastic problem solvers, don’t mistake clumping bamboo for the problematic running bamboos, but do make sure you are buying a clumping or ‘escape proof’ variety. They’ll stay to neat sizes in a reasonably defined area. Clumping bamboo are awesome for screening or even hedging and have very defined heights, so buy a variety with a height to suit your needs. When well looked after, many get close to their maximum height in as little as 18-months. They like reliable moisture, so keep well mulched, and regular feeding. As they are technically a grass, an annual feed with a quality lawn fertiliser works wonders!”

clumping bamboo
Getty

3. Mondo grass (Ophiopogon various species and cultivars)

“Fantastic plants for everything from ground covers to filling patches between rocks or pavers, to using them as border plants. Although called a ‘grass’ they are in-fact a clumping lily that spreads in a grass-like way from runners. Theer are lots of varieties, from dwarf to giant, but my favourite is the variegated giant (Ophiopogon jaburan ‘Variegatus’) with its beautiful stripy leaves. All very hardy, preferring good moisture and can handle occasional water-logging, but they will also tolerate dry conditions n bounce back afterwards. Performs best in positions with a little shade.”

Mondo Grass
Getty

4. Sasanqua camellia (Camellia sasanqua cultivars)

“Sasanqua camellia have gorgeous glossy foliage, and from autumn through winter it has an amazing display of beautiful flowers. Sasanqua camellia can be used solo or as a hedge or screen, and they’re often described as the only true flowering hedge. This is another that can be pruned to preferred size and shape, but you will find different varieties have different sizes so pick something to suit your needs. Sasanqua camellia perform best when lightly pruned after flowering, which is generally late winter. They’ll grow from shady spots through to full-sun and will do well in most soils, except heavy clay or water-logged situations.”

camellia sasanqua
Getty

You might also like:

6 bits of advice for beginner gardeners 

10 must-have tools for beginner gardeners 

Common gardening mistakes everybody makes 

  • Garden
  • Front Garden Ideas
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to keep your home virus-free

How to keep your home virus-free

Where to buy Australia’s best hot cross buns

Where to buy Australia’s best hot cross buns

Our top picks from Kmart's Easter decor and homewares range

Our top picks from Kmart's Easter decor and homewares range

Does vinegar really kill germs?

Does vinegar really kill germs?

{headline}

{headline}

How to care for your lawn this autumn

How to care for your lawn this autumn

How to rid your kitchen of ants quickly

How to rid your kitchen of ants quickly

3 genius ways to get rid of fruit flies naturally

3 genius ways to get rid of fruit flies naturally

{headline}

{headline}

This is Australia's Town of the Year for 2021

This is Australia's Town of the Year for 2021

Before & after: An incredible patio transformation

Before & after: An incredible patio transformation

6 of the most dangerous areas in Sydney

6 of the most dangerous areas in Sydney

How to keep kids busy in the garden

How to keep kids busy in the garden

Skewered charred calamari

Skewered charred calamari

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!