Gardening in South Africa

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What to do in your garden in December

Tuesday, 05 December 2023 10:02

Image by Alexa from PixabayWhether you are going away or staying at home, December can be a very busy month in the garden. From pruning to lawn care, planting instant colour to tending to your roses, lawn and veggie patch, you can read all about what you need to do in your garden below.

Groundcovers & Small Shrubs Recommended for Firescaping

Sunday, 26 November 2023 10:20

Agapanthus praecox 'White' Two types of plants are recommended for a firescaped garden: ‘fire retardant’ and ‘fire resistant’. These, together with a planting method which is designed to slow down a fire, and most importantly to create a safe zone around your home, will go a long way in protecting your home and family. It’s really quite simple! Read more below.

Medium-sized Plants Recommended for Firescaping:

Tuesday, 21 November 2023 12:25

Aloe arborescensThe list below includes both exotic and indigenous plants that can be used in all three zones of a firescaped garden: The fire resistant ‘Buffer Zone’ on the perimeter of the property; the ‘Garden or Medium-Resistance Zone’, and the 3m wide ‘Low Resistance Zone’ closest to the home. Read more below.

Large Shrubs & Trees Recommended for Firescaping

Friday, 17 November 2023 12:29

Karee, Rooikaree, iNhlangutshane (Searsia lancea)There are some core reasons why you should plant fire retardant trees and shrubs around the perimeter or high resistance zone of your property to make your home safer if a wildfire sweeps through. Read more below.

Are palm trees fire resistant?

Thursday, 16 November 2023 09:04

Syagrus romanzoffiana Picture courtesy K M from flickrOne of the questions most often asked is: “Are palm trees fire resistant?” In my research, this subject seems to be contentious, with fire officials stating that they are not, and some growers saying that what makes palms so flammable is the way the dead leaves cling to the trees, and if palms are well maintained and watered regularly, they are fire resistant. Read more below.

Firescaping your property

Thursday, 09 November 2023 14:43

Image by Matthias Fischer from PixabayDid you know that Africa is known as “the fire continent” as more of Africa burns each year than any other continent on Earth? Being “fire-wise” should therefore be a priority, and is vital to protect your home and suburb against wildfires. In this article you will learn how to easily implement precautionary steps which will drastically reduce the threat that wildfires pose to your family and your home. Read more below about firescaping your garden.

The alluring Wax Plant is making a huge comeback

Tuesday, 03 October 2023 13:59

Hoya carnosa Picture courtesy Lorenzo Andrioli from flickrHoya carnosa will never go out of fashion for long, for good reasons. Its waxy, evergreen foliage is attractive all year round, and it’s easy to grow, making it perfect for beginner gardeners. And when in full bloom, its clusters of flowers are so abundant, it’s sure to grab attention wherever it is grown. Read more about this tropical beauty below, and how to plant, propagate, and care for it as an outdoor, or indoor potted plant.

The Yellow Honeybell Bush is quite a beauty

Thursday, 14 September 2023 10:47

Freylinia lanceolata. Picture courtesy David Jones. Visit his flickr photostreamThis fast growing evergreen, with its gracefully arching stems and very fragrant flowers fares well in both our winter and summer rainfall regions, tolerating heat and low temperatures. Read more below on how to plant, grow, propagate, and use this enchanting plant in the garden.

The honey-bell bush is trendy with modern urban gardeners

Monday, 11 September 2023 11:38

Freylinia tropica 'White' Picture courtesy Random Harvest NurseryThe charming Freylinia tropica or Blue Honey-bell bush heralds spring in South Africa in the most delightful way. Its abundance of dainty flowers in delicate shades of pale blue, mauve and white are sure to make you smile, and if you see them for sale you will find it hard to resist buying a couple for your garden. Read more below on how to plant, grow and use this little gem in your garden.

The Bismarck Palm creates a big presence in the landscape

Tuesday, 29 August 2023 10:06

Bismarckia nobilis Picture courtesy Roger W from flickrThis palm is grown for its strong architectural form, colour and texture, and the eventual height of this species will create a dramatic statement anywhere it is planted. Read more below on how to grow, care for and propagate this palm, and how to use it in the landscape.

Coastal Rosemary grows on cliffs right next to the ocean

Tuesday, 22 August 2023 13:06

Westringia fruticosa Picture courtesy Tatters from flickrThe neatly whorled leaves and long flowering time of coastal rosemary make it very popular in cultivation, and although its a coastal shrub, it also grows well inland. The blooms attract beneficial insects, and as a cut flower the stiff straight sprays are surprisingly handsome, and continue to open their buds for weeks. Read more below on how easy it is to grow and propagate.

Perennial Phlox is non-toxic and easy to grow

Friday, 11 August 2023 12:56

Phlox paniculata Image by Sonja Kalee from PixabayPhlox is an old-fashioned favourite with gardeners because the blooms are impossible to miss at the height of the summer garden, and blooming will extend into autumn. It’s easy to grow, quick to flower, and needs little attention once established. Read more below on how to plant, grow and propagate perennial phlox, plus many other interesting facts about this plant.

Is the Obedient Plant making a come-back?

Tuesday, 08 August 2023 13:21

Physostegia 'Crystal Peak White' Picture courtesy Ball StraathofIn South Africa obedience plants have not been easy to find for a long time and still aren’t. Just like everything else, garden plants seem to go in and out of fashion, and this wonderful old fashioned plant may just be making a come-back. Read more below about the Obedient Plant, how to grow and care for it, and how to use it in the garden.

Firethorns and Cotoneasters are Category 1B invasive species

Thursday, 03 August 2023 12:50

Pyracantha 'Orange Charmer'Pyracantha and Cotoneaster are beautiful shrubs which belong to the Rosaceae, or Rose family. In South Africa, species of northern temperate origin were introduced as garden ornamentals, and in certain regions they thrived, and their invasiveness quickly became apparent. Read more below about the various species.

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Gardening in South Africa

Welcome to Gardening in South Africa!

Image by Alexa from PixabayWhether you are going away or staying at home, December can be a very busy month in the garden. From pruning to lawn care, planting instant colour to tending to your roses, lawn and veggie patch, you can read all about what you need to do in your garden below.

Karee, Rooikaree, iNhlangutshane (Searsia lancea)There are some core reasons why you should plant fire retardant trees and shrubs around the perimeter or high resistance zone of your property to make your home safer if a wildfire sweeps through. Read more below.