Hydrangeas are a bit of an old favourite but what a lot of gardeners don’t realise is that they are also an incredibly varied group of plants.

Have a look at these Maiko varieties. The flower heads are a bit different to the average hydrangea - this one is what is commonly called a 'lacecap’ variety. The Maiko range comes in a variety of intense colours - pink, blue, purple and violet - all with these unusual white margins on the petals. They flower right through summer too. Just find them a semi-shaded spot out of the wind.

Now here’s something for the collectors. These are some new Thai Hybrid caladiums and what’s special about these is that the leaves are bigger than your average caladium.

The colours are fabulous, perfect for brightening up a shady border or growing in nice pot in a protected spot on a patio - just in time for Christmas too. One thing to keep in mind, these leaves grow from a fleshy bulb under the soil - they like to be kept moist but not too wet (which can make the bulbs rot) so good drainage is essential.

One last thing, what do you think of this one? It’s a type of Pavonia commonly called ‘Shooting Star’. It’s a hardy bush with an interesting upright habit and these lots of these unusual bright red bract like flower arrangements.

They're just the thing for adding a splash of summer colour, but even better - they continue to flower all year round. Make sure you look out for them next time your at the nursery

Special thanks to Mitch and the team at Mitre 10 Lismore for allowing us to film this story at their nursery. Call Mitch on 02 6627 8244 for more details on any of these plants.