GARDEN ADVICE

Cheerful Houseplants for Autumn & Winter

The onset of dark winter evenings need not be cheerless. If the weather becomes too inclement for all but the most committed of gardeners to venture outside consider some houseplants to cheer the place up. A houseplant should be treated like a temporary house guest and not a member of the family. After all houseplants are often cheaper than a decent bunch of flowers which probably last a fortnight at most. A houseplant will last much longer but should be thrown out rather than given intensive care when it is past it. That way it can be replaced with something new and different totally changing the mood of the room.

Jasmine polyanthum is a favourite. It has delicate pink buds which open into white flowers. These are complimented by dainty dark green leaves and a fragrance as delicate as the flowers. Jasmine is usually sold as a houseplant grown over a wire hoop. Jasmine is a climber and you can remove the hoop later and train the plant up a trellis in a conservatory. Jasmine is quite vigorous and will reach 10 ft. unless it is cut back after flowering. Jasmine needs a minimum temperature of 45 degrees fahrenheit in winter. It enjoys bright light and some direct sunlight does no harm at all. Once it has flowered you will probably find that the Jasmine reverts to its natural annual flowering time in spring.

Stephanotis has similar dainty flowers to Jasmine and is known as the Madagascar Jasmine. However the flowers are altogether more waxy in texture and the leaves are broader and also waxy. The blooms are laden with heady scent. Stephanotis is one of my real favourites. Again it is a climber and sold on a wire hoop. It dislikes violent swings in temperature and needs to be kept at 55 degrees fahrenheit in winter.

The St. Paulia or African Violet is available for most of the year but with its warm velvety flowers in deep pinks and purples it looks just right in Winter. Of course there are also pale pinks, whites and even variegated flowers available. Some people are able to keep African Violets in flower for months at a time. African Violets like a minimum temperature of 60 degrees fahrenheit and dislike temperature fluctuations. They should be watered with slightly warm water and it is important to water the compost and not the foliage. Faded flowers and leaves should be taken off straight away including the stalk to prevent rotting.

Azaleas produce abundant flowers and enjoy a cool bright position. They are therefore ideal for an enclosed glass porch or cool conservatory. The compost needs to be kept wet. It is very difficult to over-water an Azalea. Dead head if the flowers fade. Like Rhododendrons and Camellias, Azaleas hate lime. Feeding regularly during flowering will help to keep indoor Azaleas in good condition.

Azaleas can be kept year after year. Indoor Azaleas are not frost hardy but they can be put in a shady spot in the garden once the frosts are over. In autumn bring the plant back inside to flower once more.

Another houseplant that does not like it too warm is the Cyclamen. In fact they do not enjoy temperatures over 60 degrees fahrenheit and are therefore best kept in cool conservatories or porches rather than hot stuffy living rooms. The important thing is not to over-water cyclamen otherwise the crown will rot and the plant just collapse. Cyclamen come in wonderful vivid reds, warm pinks and icy whites.