Plants T-Z

Thunbergia is a genus of about 100 mainly twining species and evergreen shrubs from Africa, Asia and Madagascar. They are only marginally frost hardy, growing best in warm conditions in full sun or in light shade in hotter areas. Soil should be free draining, improved with compost, and kept moist during summer months. T erecta is from tropical Africa, and grows as an arching shrub to 1.5 m tall and wide. It's dark green glossy leaves set off the beautiful deep violet blue flowers that are produced freely throughout the warmer months. T. erecta can be grown as a feature plant, as a backdrop, or even used as a hedge.

A genus of some 250 species from Europe and America, Verbena is represented by many varieties in cultivation. They are generally marginally frost hardy and do best in well drained soil in full sun. Verbena bonariensis is a great addition to any mixed planting where its slender stems add height without bulk, so that the flowers seem to float above the garden. It self-seeds readily and survives with minimal water even in dry areas.

Viburnum is a genus of some 150 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs primarily of Asian origin. Many are cultivated for their showy and often fragrant flower heads. Most are easily cultivated and the evergreen varieties are particularly useful for hedging. They are moderately to fully frost hardy and are best grown in either a sunny or lightly shaded position in well drained, improved soil supplied with a moderate amount of water. Viburnum opulus is a deciduous species from Europe and North Africa. The sterile form does not produce berries like the species, but has heads so large that they often weigh the young branches down (regetably they have no scent unlike some less spectacular species). It will grow in quite wet or boggy conditions if needs be and does particularly well in cooler parts of the state.

Viburnum is a genus of some 150 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs primarily of Asian origin. Many are cultivated for their showy and often fragrant flower heads. Most are easily cultivated and the evergreen varieties are particularly useful for hedging. They are moderately to fully frost hardy and are best grown in either a sunny or lightly shaded position in well drained, improved soil supplied with a moderate amount of water. Viburnum burkwoodii is a semi deciduous hybrid between V. carlesii and V.utile. It tends to be a rather open shrub with glossy dark green leaves, not all of which drop in autumn. Flower heads are rounded, pink in bud then white when fully open and are produced in spring when the shrub has fewest leaves. The scent of the flowerheads is strong and deliciously sweet. An easily grown trouble free shrub for sun or light shade.

The genus Viola contains some 500 species of annual biennial and perennial species. It includes the garden pansy as well as a range of interesting and very different species. Most will tolerate light frosts, and prefer a fertile well drained soil with some protection from the sun in warmer areas. Viola labradorica is native to North America and in ideal conditions will spread indefinitely in a woodland garden. a charming ground cover with masses of flowers in spring, but regrettably it is not scented

Vitex is a genus of some 250 shrubs and trees mainly from tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Most have compound aromatic leaves and are grown for their sprays of small tubular flowers. Vitex agnus-castus is native to southern Europe and western Asia. It grows best in a sunny position in improved free-draining soil with moderate water once established. It will tolerate light frosts. Although naturally bushy it can be pruned to a single stem and will develop into a small tree.

Vitex is a genus of some 250 shrubs and trees mainly from tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Most have compound aromatic leaves and are grown for their sprays of small tubular flowers. Vitex agnus-castus is native to southern Europe and western Asia. It grows best in a sunny position in improved free-draining soil with moderate water once established. It will tolerate light frosts. Although naturally bushy it can be pruned to a single stem and will develop into a small tree.

Vitex is a genus of some 250 shrubs and trees mainly from tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Most have compound aromatic leaves and are grown for their sprays of small tubular flowers. Vitex agnus-castus is native to southern Europe and western Asia. It grows best in a sunny position in improved free-draining soil with moderate water once established. It will tolerate light frosts. Although naturally bushy it can be pruned to a single stem and will develop into a small tree.

Vitex is a genus of some 250 shrubs and trees mainly from tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Most have compound aromatic leaves and are grown for their sprays of small tubular flowers. Vitex ovata has potential as a hardy landscape plant suited to difficult environments such as coastal conditions and median strips. It is a low spreading shrub to 50 cm in height and a meter or more in width, with leaves unusual for the group being entire and oval. Vitex ovata is native to tropical coastlines including northern Australia where it grows on coastal sand dunes. It is best grown in free draining soil in a sunny position, and is drought tolerant once established.