Gladiolus
Family Iridaceae
Gladioli are native to South Africa and grow best on a sunny site in sandy loam soil. They grow well at the coast where the ‘butterfly’ variety do best due to the constant wind. Gladioli corms take about 75 days to flower. They don’t compete well with other plants so, for best results, plant them in open ground, keep the area around them clear, and they should come up year after year. Give them a foliar feed from time to time and mulch around the plants. Watch out for red spider mite.
Updated 22/12/16
Gloriosa
Family Colchicaceae
Gloriosa is a genus of 12 species; native to tropical Africa and Asia. It is the national flower of Kenya and Zimbabwe. A diamond brooch in the shape of the flame lily was a gift to the Crown Princess (Queen Elizabeth II) on her visit to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1947.
Gloriosa is tuberous, rooted, and goes dormant in the dry season. It is a beautiful climber, loves the coast; and can often be seen growing in the wild. Once established it can become invasive.
In Australia it is considered to be a rampant and dangerous invasive weed. All parts of the plant are dangerously toxic to humans and animals.
Updated 22/12/16
Gomphrena globosa
Family Amaranthaceae
Gomphrena globosa is a striking, long flowering annual. It is drought tolerant, not fussy about soil type, and can withstand sea breezes.
It grows compactly and can be invasive as it reseeds easily, filling the garden with the small purple pom-pom flowers that last for months. It is free from the usual garden dudus.
Updated 22/12/16
Graptophyllum pictum
Family Acanthaceae
Caricature plant
Graptophyllum is endemic to India. It is grown for the richly coloured foliage and attractive cerise-pink flowers. It is easy to grow and makes a tidy, compact bush; best grown in dappled shade. It has no special soil requirements; can be grown in shade, in the open ground or in a pot but don’t allow the plant to dry out. Regular pruning is necessary and pinch growing points to get an extra bushy plant.
Updated 22/12/16
Gynandropsis speciosa
Family Cleomaceae
Gynandropsis speciosa is a tall showy plant, flowering for a long period and fills gaps, giving colour to the background. The plant is sparingly branched and each branch carries a mass of flowers in which individual flowers are short lived but constantly replaced by new ones. It is easy to grow as it is not fussy about soil and fairly drought tolerant. It produces plenty of seeds that can be collected or allowed to sow themselves. The leaves are edible.
Updated 22/12/16
