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A hooked sedge that forms dense mounds of red, or reddish-brown, arching leaves. The flowers form a simple spike, with male flowers on top and female flowers below. Ideal for containers on the deck, rockeries or in mass landscaping. Likes to be moist but free draining. Evergreen.

Commonly is found in grasslands, open scrubland and bogs in New Zealand.

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aka Speedwell

This is a wonderful little ground-cover mainly because of the colour it provides in late winter. The shiny green foliage with bronze tones forms a tight mat and starting from about August smothers itself in bright blue flowers and carries on doing so for months. Easy care, trim after flowering.

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aka Periwinkle

Commonly known as Periwinkle this little ground-cover has nice glossy green foliage and a quick creeping habit. In spring and summer pretty starry flowers of warm mauve appear en masse. Likes a semi-shaded position and protection from harsh frost. Evergreen. RHS AGM.

I grow my Periwinkle in a tall narrow container where is drapes attractively over the sides. While this plant is quite easy to grow it will do better in soil that does not completely dry out in summer.

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aka Periwinkle

Periwinkle. A vigorous little ground-cover with glossy green and cream, narrow foliage topped off with small starry blue flowers in spring and summer. Will cover the ground quite quickly and can easily be trimmed back if it gets too carried away. Likes semi-shade and protection from harsh frost. Evergreen.

Periwinkle is very easy to grow but does not like soil that completely drys out in summer.

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aka Periwinkle

Periwinkle. A vigorous little ground-cover with glossy green, narrow foliage topped off with small white starry flowers in spring and summer. Will cover the ground quite quickly and can easily be trimmed back if it gets too carried away. Likes semi-shade and protection from harsh frost. Evergreen.

Periwinkle is very easy to grow but does not like soil that completely drys out in summer.

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aka Periwinkle

Periwinkle. A vigorous little ground-cover with glossy golden leaves edged with gold, small blue starry flowers in spring and summer. Great for lighting up a shady corner. Grows quickly and can be trimmed back if it gets too carried away. Likes semi-shade and protection from harsh frost. Evergreen.

Periwinkle is very easy to grow but does not like soil that completely drys out in summer.

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aka Periwinkle

Commonly known as Periwinkle this useful little ground-cover has glossy green foliage and little lilac blue flowers in spring and summer. Good for planting under trees or in woodland areas as it likes a little shade and protection from harsh frost. Can be trimmed if it gets too carried away. Evergreen.

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aka Sweet Violet

Sweet Violet. This old-fashioned favourite is a great plant for shady spots in the garden where it will quickly cover ground with its heart-shaped dark green foliage. Dainty stems of fragrant purple flowers winter to spring. Easy to grow and quite hardy. Perennial. Charming.

Did you know that the Violet flower contains a compound known as ionone which temporarily desensitizes the 'smell' receptors in your nose? After the first delicious sniff the violet fragrance will seem elusive. Don't worry after a few minutes your nose will recover to 'smell' another day.

Wasabi is a lush evergreen perennial with large, heart-shaped leaves approx 30cm. A great plant to use for that `tropical look` in a frost free garden. Has small white flowers in Spring that are also edible along with its stems. Likes shaded areas and indirect sunlight.

The rhizomes can be harvested after 2 years for cooking. Use grated stems and flowers in salads. or along side your favorite Japanese dish.

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aka Poor Knights Lily

Poor Knights Lily is a stunning plant and well worth growing. A very slow growing plant with fans of flax-like leaves up to 1m high. Its striking red flowers occur on tall stems in Spring but it takes up to 7 years to flower. When root-bound it will flower more quickly and prolifically.

On the islands, the plants are fed with seabird droppings, which are high in nitrogen and phosphorous. You can simulate this with bird guano, which is sold at some garden shops, or online. Or you may use any slow-release fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen and phosphorous.