The New Year is a time of fresh starts and new beginnings, and there’s no better place to start the New Year than in the garden. Plenty of plants can thrive when planted in summer, even in the driest of climates. From edible plants including broccoli and spring onions to flowering plants like jacarandas, gardenias and even hydrangeas – there is plenty to choose on this handy list.
The trick is selecting plants that are appropriate to the climate in which you live.
We spoke to Octavia Jones, horticulturist at garden retailer Flower Power, about the best things to plant in your garden from January to March, wherever you live.
Once you’ve added as many plants as your garden can handle, you can even try checking off the tasks on our summer gardening checklist.
What are the best plants and edibles for cold areas?
“Choose plants that come from areas that experience frost as they will have adapted to those conditions,” says Octavia. “Explore your local area and see which established plants are thriving. Take photos and head into your local nursery to ask about varieties that will suit your garden position and soil.”
Cold climate flowers and shrubs to plant in January
- Junipers
- Viburnum Tinus
- Rhododendrons
- Camellias
- Azaleas
- Pieris
- Hebes
- Correa
- Westringia
- Abelia
Cold climate fruit and vegetables to plant in January
- Broccoli
- Brussel sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Peas
- Capsicum
- Celery
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Leek
- Lettuce
- Radish
- Silverbeet
- Spring onion
- Pears
What are the best plants and edibles for temperate areas?
“There is a huge variety of plants and edibles to grow in temperate areas. Head into your local Flower Power to speak to a horticulturist who can suggest a huge range of ornamentals and edibles for your garden,” says Octavia. “When it comes to ornamentals, you’ll need to consider things such as your soil type, aspect and how much sunlight each area of your garden receives and the style you like.”
Temperate climate trees to plant in January
- Magnolia Little Gem
- Crepe Myrtle
- Jacaranda
- Frangipani
- Olives
Temperate climate shrubs to plant in January
- Buxus
- Lilly Pilly
- Rhaphiolepis
- Grevilleas
Temperate climate ornamental to plant in January
- Gardenia
- Hydrangea
- African Daisies
- Salvia
- Strelizia
- Bromeliads
- Bungalow and Alexander palms
Temperate climate fruit and vegetables to plant in January
- Rosemary
- Tomato
- Beans
- Beetroot
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Capsicum
- Carrot
- Cauliflowers
- Chicory
- Chili
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Leek
- Lettuce
- Parsnip
- Potato
- Radish
- Rhubarb
- Shallots
- Silverbeet
- Sweet corn
- Zucchini
- Strawberries
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Mint
“It’s even possible to grow tropical fruit such as banana, mango and guava with many new varieties now available for temperate areas.”
What are the best plants and edibles to plant in hot areas?
“If you live in a hot and dry region you’ll be best choosing tough, drought-tolerant native Australian plants that have adapted to the conditions. If you’re in a hot, tropical environment choose ornamental tropical plants with lush foliage such as heliconias, gingers, palms and bromeliads and edibles that will thrive in humidity such as tropical fruit trees, eggplant, Asian greens, chilies and capsicums,” says Octavia.
What are the best things to plant if you live in a particularly dry part of Australia?
“If you live in a very dry region it’s best to stick with Australian plants native to your local area, or native to similar dry regions, such as South African leucadendrons and proteas or desert plants such as succulents and cactus. All new plants will require regular watering while the roots establish, but you can use products to help with water retention and with the right plant selection, they will survive dry spells once established.”
You might also like:
The indoor plant delivery service you need to know about
The ultimate guide to Australia native flowers
6 flowering trees for a big impact
How to grow and prune Hydrangeas
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
