Here comes the Sun-satia!

While ice might not be quite so nice – particularly Vanilla Ice, what was that guy thinking? – here’s a ‘cherry’ thought to top off the winter season.

Due to be released in the North Island this month and the South Island in September, the new Cherry on Ice Sunsatia is set to help welcome in spring.

As the latest addition to the Sunsatia series, developed by the Aussie Winners group, Cherry on Ice is striking in terms of both colour and form.  With masses of contrasting two-toned flowers – bright cherry red above a white lower lip – these beauties produce a blaze of colour for months on end.

Growing to roughly 25cm high and 30cm wide, the plants have a compact, upright and spreading form, providing stunning floral accents in patio or courtyard pots, or long-lasting colour in well-drained gardens.

Since they were first introduced in 2005, the Sunsatia range of Nemesia hybrids has grown to include new varieties with new colours and genetic improvements.

Blooming from autumn through spring, they feature long-lasting, vibrant flowers that range from vivid, luminescent colours, through to soft, subtle pastel shades.

While they grow best in full sun or partial shade, these Aussie beauties do require protection from the midday sun and hot winds in warmer locations. These biennials can also tolerate light frost.

Soil should be kept moist and regular, liquid fertiliser – especially after trimming back foliage and flowers – should be applied lightly to help retain maximum vigour and keep flowers blooming for longer.

Other Sunsatias varieties include:

Blackberry: A taller, upright variety. Flowers have intense purple-pink rounded petals and an orange eye zone.
Cassis: Featuring shades of dusky pink and yellow.
Ciruela: Has unusual shades of plum to magenta and golden yellow eyes.
Granada: Very striking due to its colour and form, with a deep crimson red shade.
Kumquat: Just like the fruit that inspired its name, this variety has a golden orange colour.
Pomelo Yellow: The best yet in the yellow range, with deep, vibrant honey yellow flowers.
Snowberry: Coloured white with an orange eye.
Watermelon: This plant’s spreading form makes it ideal for baskets or garden borders. It features rosy red flowers toning to pink.

Cherry on Ice and other Sunsatia varieties are available from garden centres including: Container Nurseries, Bruntwood Nurseries and Elliott’s Wholesale Nursery.