"Hedges, edges and everything in-between"
This series of Michelia hybrids (now part of the Magnolia family) bred by Magnolia breeder Mark Jury (with 3 colours in the range) can be grown as a flowering hedge and is now being used extensively in residential gardens and commercial landscapes for a fragrant, flowering, evergreen application.
The Anthony Tesselaar Plants Media stand at MIFGS showcased these plants in that form accompanied with a living hedges banner to demonstrate to consumers ideas and planting combinations that are achievable and fit just about any garden.
Commenting on the show, Phillip Townshend said “The popularity of the message ‘Hedges, edges and everything in between’ seems to fit perfectly with the demands of today’s gardener and resonated well with the consumer audience attending the show.”
Quick to grow and bloom
Fairy Magnolias are quick to grow and just love to bloom. These have been bred over many years by the breeder not to be ‘divas’ but be showy with a flower bud on each leaf axil and appealing fragrance.
These bushy evergreens can be grown as a specimen plant, topiary or espalier and as highlighted, as a fragrant, flowering hedge which seems to be their most popular application.
The range currently has 3 colours available in blush, white and cream, with more in development.
Mass plantings of Tropicanna Gold
Tropicanna Gold also provided a nice display for visitors attending the show with multiple mass plantings outside the World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building.
The most striking of all Cannas, Tropicanna Gold (which is part of the Tropicanna series) with its exotic combination of leaf and flower colours produced this layered planting effect that requires little care.
With Agapanthus recently named as Terrace Plant of the Year, there were also some great displays of metal Agapanthus sculptures featured at the show along with many other innovative landscape designs, gardening products and most of all inspiration for those attending over the 5-day event.
The show this year was held at the same time as the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix but that didn’t detract from attendance with fine weather drawing good crowds to this special event held in the Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding Carlton Gardens.
91,000 visitors
MIFGS 2018 provided great weather, plenty of innovative stands and presentations and over 91,000 visitors.
For more information:
www.tesselaar.com
melbflowershow.com.au