South Australia’s best known gardening expert, Sophie Thomson is back to help you along with tips for your garden in 2026
Autumn is the perfect time to plant most plants, so now is the time for action! With the worst of summer’s heat past, and while there is still warmth in the soil for root systems to grow, plants get six to nine months to get established before next summer. Your garden centre is filled with a wonderful selection of native and exotic plants perfect for every garden need. As with every plant, prepare the soil well to get the best growth.
THIS AUTUMN WE ARE TURNING PINK AND ON THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 21 & 22 WE WILL BE RAISING FUNDS FOR THE MCGRATH FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE CARE FOR ANY CANCER PATIENT. RIGHT UP TO THIS WEEKEND GCSA GARDEN CENTRES ARE RAISING FUNDS IN ALL SORTS OF WAYS – RAFFLES, PRIZES, PARTIES, SPECIAL PRICES OR SIMPLY COLLECTING DONATIONS TO GO TO THE MCGRATH FOUNDATION. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE PINK SPECIALS WE HAVE AVAILABLE...
SOPHIE’S TIP
Think Pink!
The Strike Me Pink! campaign is such a great way to raise money for cancer care for the McGrath Foundation – with GCSA staff and customers raising over $30,000 over the past two years and aiming to raise at least another $15,000 this year.
Up to and on the Strike Me Pink! weekend (March 21 & 22) you will be assured of ‘seeing pink’ in your local GCSA Centre, with staff wearing pink, pink flowers out on special, raffles and other activities to raise funds. Add some pretty in pink flowers to your garden, choosing from pink Salvias, Daisies, Geraniums, Hebe and Dahlias to name but a few, and part proceeds will be donated to the McGrath Foundation.
Check out what your local GCSA member is up to by visiting their Facebook page.
Of course, Pink flamingos!
Think pink and what comes to mind?
Flamingos of course!
South African Stunners!
There are so many colours and sizes to choose from among proteas and leucadendrons. Bushes can get unsightly when not pruned regularly, so pick their flowers all the time and you will get bunches of flowers for yourself and friends, plus retain a compact bush.
Kangaroo Paws
Choose from a great selection of colours of Anigozanthos or K paws, as they are commonly known. 140mm pot
Grevillea Mellow Yellow
$1498
Grevillea Mt Tamboritha
Flowers are strong red and yellow in colour, on a small shrub growing over 2 metres tall. Nectar attracts birds, bees and butterflies. 140mm pot
Banksia prionotes
Commonly known as acorn or orange banksia for its spectacular orange blooms. Can be kept as a shrub in a container, or grows to a small tree in the ground. 140mm pot.
Hakea laurina
A shrub or small tree, it is commonly known as the pin-cushion hakea. It has red and cream stunning globular flowers and lance shaped leaves. 140mm pot
$1398 EACH $1498
Chamelaucium Festive Red
A low spreading evergreen shrub up to 50cm high and 2 metres wide The foliage is dense and dark green and clusters of flowers are pinkish-red. 140mm pot
$1598 EACH
Commonly known as waxflowers, they come in a range of colours, Festive Red is one of the brightest about. Hardy and grows to around 1.5metres. 140mm pot
Lemon Myrtle
Backhousia citriodora is its proper name. A pretty shrub which is renowned for the flavour its leaves add to dishes. 140mm pot
Tucker Bush Muntries
This woody plant bears clusters of green berries that turn purplish/red and fragrant as they ripen. Berries are about 1cm in diameter and crunchy in texture with the flavour of a spicy apple. 140mm pot
$1498 EACH
HEDGE your
Bulbs add the element of surprise and excitement to a garden, as each year, we eagerly await their emergence from the soil, followed by their breath-taking performance. Although the flowering period of most bulbs is generally only brief, they make up for their fleeting appearance by their stunning display. SOPHIE’S TIP
Plant spring flowering bulbs now for spring bling!
a time to grow your own
Proven
Autumn is the perfect time to plant cool season crops like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, leeks and spinach, as well as the all-season crops like lettuces, rocket, spring onions and silver beet.
Grow garlic as autumn is the time to plant this easy to grow superfood in a sunny position in well-drained soil.
Patience is required though as it takes up to eight months before it’s ready to harvest.
Protect new plantings from snails and slugs which love the cooler, moist weather by using pet friendly snail baits, copper- based snail deterrent sprays, or if you have raised beds, try a permanent installation of copper tape which they hate to cross.
Hana Pots – new colours
Two new colours have been added to the range of Hana pots, a popular release from last spring. There is a new sage colour, as well as terracotta. White has also proven to be a best seller. 3 sizes.
Keep
Cyclamen
Indoors or for shady spots, cyclamen will reward you with flowers for many weeks and some now with a lovely perfume. 120mm pot.
Blue
Eyed Beauty
SA’s favourite Oesto! Hardy and long flowering with bright yellow flowers with blue centre. An excellent performer for any garden. 150mm pot
Looking for some colour in your garden or pots for the cooler months ahead? There’s a good variety of pansies, violas, marigolds and snapdragons to choose from.
Hanging fuchsia
These rustic hangers are charming garden accents to place in the garden or pots. Stands at 60cm
Your Local Garden Centre