Advice on shrubs with multi-coloured flowers for FNQ

12 years ago

I need some plant suggestions for Far North Queensland wet tropics where we get 4-5M of rain per year. Had a bit of disappointment hearing that many of the rhododendrons are hard to grow here and are for colder climates and a few of the other flowering shrubs that look nice.

Might be a very long shot but I am looking for some 1-2m tall, maybe a lil bigger but preferably smallish garden shrubs with flowers with 2-3 colours mixed. I usually find solid single colour flowers a lil boring. Would also prefer them to flower quite regularly, not once a year for a few days and then have to wait for another year.

The type of colouring I like is seen on many orchids, Weigela florida, Rhododendrons, pansies, violas, hibiscus, etc. Some of my favourites are yellow/orange centers with white petals with hot pink edges, white with purple mixed like some of the pansies especially with the stains of colours in the ridges? Would like to stick to quite bold and even "fluoro"/vivid pinks, oranges, reds, purples, and blues. Also prefer flowers at least as big as a 50cent piece, not a fan of the really small flowers.

Would also prefer easier trees to manage too if possible. I was told the Rhododendron Viraya took quite a bit of effort so I am holding off on that one.

Thanks

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Comments (7)

oldnod
12 years ago
Arcades , I am not much help on your flowering plants of NQ but for general colour thought the garden then Acalapha are great.

I am near Brisbane and in our travels we notice that the further north we go the greater the range of varieties to choose from.

We had around 6 planted purely for their colour and enjoyed them for 10 years. Finally became old and woody.

Sorry for getting off your subject but I had to mention Acalapha.

Regards Nod
archades
Original Author
12 years ago
No probs, Acalypha wilkesiana with the dark greenish and bright red leaves looks nice. When my flowers are all in I'll see if I can add it to the garden where it needs contrast.

I just ordered 2 frangipani cuttings, they look amazing in colour! I'd like an Alstroemeria but I heard they don't like this climate, I wonder if it'd be ok in a hanging basket.
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alisonoz_gw
12 years ago
May I ask how FN you are? Nearest city? And are you sea level or cooler hill elevation?
archades
Original Author
12 years ago
Mourilyan township, pretty much sea level, 8m above sealevel in amongst cane farms. Cairns is 100km north.
alisonoz_gw
12 years ago
Actually, the Vireya rhododendrons (tropicals) would do OK for you - they do better in raised beds/tubs but some varieties are fine in large hanging baskets, too. Ditto the Medinillas, which though they have small individual flowers, make a show with large bunches and then the attractive bracts after (esp the orange one).
I would be going for some of the showy hibiscus and mussaendas and there are a lot of very bright ixoras which (again, small individual flowers but large heads) flower non-stop in warmer areas.
Allamanda are also good flowerers and manageable if you cut them back hard andn don't let them straggle - you have the yellow (single and double) and the sunset colour. There are a few new mandevillea and dipladenia which can also be standardised if you aren't into vines (I am). Some of the daturas should also go ok there and have repeat flushes of flowers.
(I don;t think you will find Alstroemerias so great as they are more demanding of "seasons" ).
I wouldn't discount the value of pure foliage plants as cordylines, dracaenas and coleus would give you all-round colour. A few large flowered bromeliads for ground or trees. Large spathed anthuriums.
If you have room, try to include some showy gingers but be careful of choice as some can take over.
If you have some time to spare, make visits to Flecker gardens in Cairns and not only observe what is growing but talk to the gardeners and "friends of the garden" for further input.
alisonoz_gw
12 years ago
PS Sorry I actually meant crotons not coleus, and canna lilies give good foliage as well as some good colours.
archades
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks all for the replies, been busy putting up a fence and painting, preparing beds, etc.

Advice on shrubs with multi-coloured flowers for FNQ

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Advice on shrubs with multi-coloured flowers for FNQ

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