Plants that grow well in our climate, thrive in the shade and give a garden masses of gorgeous colour are just about what every local gardener would put on their ‘must have’ wish list.
But you can get such plants away from being just a wish and into the garden with a magnificent display of tuberous begonias and fuchsias.
They are among the most spectacular of plants, as you will find with a visit to The Tuberous Begonia Garden in Ashbourne when two super green thumbs, Peter and Jesse, hold The Tuberous Begonia and Fuchsia Show every weekend beginning February 5 and 6 right through until Mother’s Day on May 8.
The nursery, which is not usually open to the public, is the pair’s hobby, pastime, business and passion.
Jesse says that Peter has adopted tuberous begonias as his speciality for most of his working life.
“Peter grows the most beautiful begonias,” Jesse says.
And because they each have their own DNA, they don’t come with specific names, so this you can do yourself to make the plant truly one of a kind.
Fuchsias will, of course, also be on display and for sale during the show. Once seen tucked away in nearly every garden, fuchsias are not so common these days but their colourful beauty and form as kept them popular with keen gardeners.
Jesse and Peter’s plants are all in pots or hanging baskets so can be purchased and easily placed in the ideal spot around your garden. They can be put into the ground but if container-held they are easier to manage. Begonias and fuchsias like shade and tuberous begonias can be brought inside during the day and taken outside at night to let a cool breeze waft over them. That’s what they like.
With your purchases, Jesse and Peter will provide you with maintenance notes and you can tune in to a YouTube video called Tuberous Begonia Maintenance Tips. It’s online at www.whitehousenursery.com.au/tuberous-begonias
There will be hundreds of begonias and fuchsias on sale and on display on the show opening days and given that it runs until Mother’s Day, it should provide an answer to a few gift-giving dilemmas.
