Torenia ‘Blue Magic’
If the back of your house looks a bit lacklustre, think about adding some colour and cheer with hanging baskets. You can attach them to a pergola or up under the eaves, being careful to choose a position where people won’t accidentally walk into them and injure themselves. With hanging baskets watering is critical, so it’s a good idea to install a trickle irrigation system. Just run the main line up under the pergola and then run dripper lines down to each pot. Don also recommends Autopots, which incorporate Jim Fah’s SmartValve, and take all the work out of watering. The baskets can be planted up with old favourites like petunias, impatiens and fuchsias, or you might like to try Torenia ‘Blue Magic’ which works particularly well in a hanging basket because the foliage and flowers completely hide the pot. The hanging baskets of torenia were filmed at Acorn Nursery, 673 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills, Victoria, 3127.
Summer Wave Blue Magic (Torenia ‘Blue Magic’)
Blue Magic is a hybrid torenia grows quickly to about 30cm (1′) high and 80cm (2’6″) wide, with a creeping/hanging habit. It will tolerate high heat and thrives in partial sun. Torenia has historically been grown from seed as a short lived plant, but Blue Magic does not set seed, so the large, attractive blue flowers are produced over a long period.
Best climate: In colder areas choose a sheltered north facing position, for example near a brick wall, to trap warmth in winter. Protect from frost.
Uses:
hanging baskets patio pots window boxes groundcover in shade or part sun
Care:
Plant in the garden in a partly shaded position, and mulch to protect the plant from drying out. For container planting use a good quality potting mix which incorporates a balanced slow released fertilizer. Regular light pruning will help to keep the plant in shape.
Further information
Prices for Torenia ‘Blue Magic’ are around $25 for hanging baskets, and $10-$15 for 140mm (5″) sized pots. It is coming to the end of its growing season now, but will be available again towards the end of the year. Plants like fuchsia, impatiens and petunias are available at nurseries in hanging baskets. Cost varies depending on size, but they range from about $25-$60.
Autopots are available from:
Gardensmart
Gardenworld Complex
810 Springvale Road, Keysborough, VIC, 3173
Phone: (03) 9769 1411. Fax: (03) 9701 8822
Tim’s Nursery,
Irrigation section
Mt Annan Road, Mt Annan, NSW, 2567
Phone: (02) 4647 1122
Hygrow Distributors
Unit 16, 60-66 Richmond Road, Keswick, SA, 5036
Phone: (08) 8293 8433
For details about all Autopot products you can contact the Australian distributors, Cap Plus Pty Ltd, phone: (03) 9580 8877.