What's in a Lazy Flora Autumn Plant Collection?

Well don't they just look amazing? I honestly can't stop looking at the pictures of our Autumn boxes - I just love the colours.

Here's a bit more information on the plants you'll find in our Autumn plant collections. 

Brassica (ornamental cabbage)

Brassica is another word for cabbage. Yes, we are including an actual cabbage in our Autumn collections! But one look tells you why - they are simply stunning curly red cabbages, also often referred to as ornamental cabbages. They add an amazing splash of purple colour to this plant collection at this time of year.

Like some of the plants you saw in plant collections earlier this year, this type of cabbage is grown primarily for its appearance, so while you can actually eat it and it won't do you any harm, it isn't a cabbage that has been grown for flavour, so it might not be the tastiest cabbage you've ever eaten! If you are super keen to use your Lazy Flora cabbage in cooking, we recommend you use it as a garnish rather than for flavour, as it will be very bitter.

Did you know that cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli are the exact same species? 

Brassica thrives in very well-drained soil and they like a bit of sunshine. You won't need to water this plant very much at all - especially at this time of year. Cabbage is difficult to grow in the summer, as it doesn't tolerate heat well, which is why you see a lot of it around in the Autumn. You will generally find that the colour of the leaves will brighten after the first frost.

Plant cabbages so that the lowest leaves are flush with the top of the soil. The colour in these plants will come out strongest when the temperatures start to drop.

Ornamental cabbages won't get much bigger once they have been planted, so don't be afraid to plant it close alongside other plants at this time of year. 

Solanum Pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem Cherry)

Do not be fooled by the pretty exterior of Solanum Pseudocapsicum, because it is in POISONOUS! It's otherwise known as the Jerusalem Cherry, Madeira Winter Cherry or Winter Cherry. The fruit look a lot like cherry tomatoes. However BE WARNED: this plant is in fact a species of nightshade. So please don't try to eat it, keep it well out of reach of children, and don't let your pets eat it either!

The fruit of a Jerusalem Cherry look a lot like cherry tomatoes, but do not be fooled into thinking they are edible! This plant is poisonous.

Solanum pseudocapsicum is a perennial, which likes constantly cool temperatures. Ideal temperatures for this plant are between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius, so when it gets colder than this in the UK in winter, you will need to bring it indoors if you want it to continue to grow.

Cyclamen Patio Wine

Cyclamen are an extremely popular indoor and outdoor plant througout the Autumn and Winter, because they are so easy to care for, and because they provide such an amazing splash of colour. They are also generally quite resistant to pests, which gives you one less thing to worry about.

In fact, cyclamen is so popular that now, as a result of harvesting for horticultural reasons, it is sadly, endangered in the wild. Conservation methods have been implemented to prevent wild cyclamen from becoming extinct.

Cyclamen prefer shady conditions and thrives in cooler temperatures. It will sometimes bloom all winter, if conditions allow. Some of the leaves will turn yellow; simply remove these at the base. They are perennial plants, although they can appear dead in summer and it can be tricky to get them to rebloom the following year, so by most hobby gardeners, they are generally treated as an annual and replaced each year.

Cyclamen are used to symbolises departure, so are the perfect gift for someone who is retiring or relocating.

Cyclamen are also toxic to dogs and cats, so please don't let moggy and fido eat them.

Calluna Sharon (Heather)

Heather is extremely prolific in Scotland. This is because wild heathers forms dense ground coverage through which nothing else can grow. (Don't worry, the heather in our Lazy Flora boxes is vertical growing heather and won't cover so much ground!) A heather plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds per season, and is resistant to deer, which are some more reasons why there is so much of it in Scotland!

Heather prefers full sun and thrives in extremely well-drained soil. With a few exceptions, they will not do well if the roots are wet. They also need protection from cold winter winds. 

According to tradition, heather is said to symbolise admiration and good luck.

Carex Brunnea Jubilo

No, we aren't talking about the hand soap here. Carex is a type of decorative grass. It is extremely hardy and requires little water, whilst all the while looking absolutely stunning.

It's also known as Greater Brown Sedge. It usually grows in disturbed habitats, like meadows or man-made habitats. It's very easy to care for and loves well-drained soil (there's a pattern emerging here!). It thrives in partial shade and full sun, and is a truly hardy and beautiful plant. 

Variegated Hedera (Ivy)

Ivy is green all year round, and thrives in cold and dark environments. This makes it an extremely popular plant at all times of year. However, in Autumn and Winter, it really comes into its own to add reliable colour and texture to many container gardens.

It is a wonderful plant which can be trained to climb walls, or to tumble elegantly down the front of containers and hanging baskets. Of all the plants in any collection, it is an extremely reliable grower, in almost any situation.

According to NASA, Ivy is one of the top air-purifying plants. In an enclosed laboratory space, it can even remove toxins from the air such as benzene and formaldehyde. :-s 

And this is what it all looks like together!

An example of one possible layout for these plants.

All these plants are hardy and thrive in well-drained soils. They all require similar conditions to thrive, so they are ideal bedfellows for a gorgeous Autumnal container garden. Furthermore, their colours contrast and compliment one another so beautifully to ensure a bright and colourful display right into the darkest days of winter.

The plants in this collection won't grow much at this time of year, so they should be planted as close together as possible in order to provide the most spactacular and lasting display.

In case this has piqued your interest, you can order your very own mini, small or large plant collection here: View Awesome Autumn plant collections

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