Most N.Z. homes have some sort of outdoor living /patio area and its where we tend to relax, socialize with family and friends, and even eat our brunch and summer evening bbq meals.

If you have a covered pergola over the top of the patio, then make yourself a couple of colorful/ stand out hanging baskets (be creative and mix and match a few of your favourite hanging /container plants all in the same container ) and let them full and spill over all sides  for a year-round effect !!! - when planting anything into containers/baskets- ALWAYS buy quality potting mixes that contain water holding gel - this will help cut down on having to water so frequently and your container plants will definitely thank you for it, by giving a better performance because they won't be so stressed from lack of moisture.

10 GREAT PERFORMERS FOR THE PATIO;

GARDENIA FRAGRANT STAR- an extremely compact gardenia, white flowers giving off a tropical fragrance - certainly a must for your patio ROSEMARY LOCHWOOD DE FOREST- weeping rosemary which is ever so tough and reliable CITRUS TREES - very good and effective in large pots on the patio STAR JASMINE - either as a climber on a frame or as a groundcover spilling over a wall PHOENIX ROEBELINII - Dwarf date palm - makes a great container specimen SALVIA GO GO PURPLE- a new perennial salvia with the deepest purple flowers all summer ARGYRANTHEMUM POLLY- an extremely compact daisy with non stop flowering ALSTROEMERIA PRINCESS SERIES - 10/10 for floral performance - up to 9 months of continuous flowers LAVENDER PURE PLATINUM - platinum foliage and lovely blue flowers OSMANTHUS PEARLY GATES - responds very well to keeping clipped as whatever shape and size you want, delightful small white flowers in spring with a sweet tropical fragrance, hardy.