Medium to large coastal plants
Dodonaea viscosa. Picture courtesy Roger Hooton
Small to medium-sized coastal plants
The wisest approach to selecting plants for seaside gardens is to see what is succeeding in your neighbours gardens. Most neighbours with great gardens have probably already gone through some trial and error and most gardeners are eager to share their knowledge and provide advice. Look at residential and municipal plantings as well as botanical gardens or nature reserves near to the ocean, in your region. You can learn much by just walking or driving around.
Read my article on seaside gardens
testSea Lavender, Papierblom (Limonium perezii)Grows well in seaside conditions and a great low maintenance perennial for water-wise gardens. It florishes in saline soils, and is therefore common near coasts and in salt marshes. This giant statice will grow +-50 to 60cm tall and +-40cm wide; forming attractive low-growing mounds. Large flower heads of tiny violet-blue and white flowers are produced nearly all year round in favourable climates, but especially in summer. Plant it along palisades, on dunes and embankments, in dry streambeds, or amongst rocky outcroppings. It is most effective massed; and if planted +-40cm apart, makes a lovely groundcover.
Click here for more info..
Daylily (Hemerocallis)Daylilies are among the easiest plants to grow, requiring minimal care. Their natural habitat in China, Japan and the orient is very vast and covers varying climatic conditions, so there are varieties available that will thrive in virtually any climate. In very hot climates the evergreen varieties generally tend to perform better. These perennial plants have been extensively hybridised, and are available in shades of cream, yellow, orange, red, pink, lavender, maroon, purple and combinations thereof. Perfect for mass plantings as a groundcover and the smaller varieties are lovely border plants. Varieties vary in height from 40cm to over 1m tall. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Trailing Daisy (Dimorphotheca)Grows in sandy soil among quartzite rocks on mountain slopes and mountain grasslands, from Limpopo through Mpumalanga, Swaziland, eastern Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho and the Eastern Cape. Suitable for exposed coastal plantings and will grow in chalk soils. This water-wise plant resents being over watered and hybrids are available in wine red, white, pink, yellow and terracotta. Use to stabilise soil on slopes, or allow it to cascade over low walls and pots. A wonderful rockery and informal border plant that also makes acolourful groundcover. +-30cm tall and 50cm. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Bush Lily (Clivia miniata) Grows wild from Morgans Bay in the Eastern Cape, right up into northern Kwazulu-Natal, Swaziland and Mpumalanga. Their habitat can vary from low subtropical coastal forests, to ravines in high altitude forests. They love growing in well-drained leaf mould that is rich in humus; between boulders, on slopes and along river banks, where they form large colonies of plants. Not suited to very hot, dry regions. In the winter rainfall regions they must be planted in very well-drained soil and watered regularly in the summer months. +-80cm to 1m tall, and spreading up to 1m wide in ideal conditions.
Click here for more info..
Arum Lily (Zantedeschia) Can be found growing wild in the Western and Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and into the Northern Province. They grow in humid coastal conditions to high altitude mountain grasslands, in sandy or rocky places that are usually seasonally damp. These plants will grow in or out of water and are a must for any bog or water garden. Many hybrids are available, which vary in height from +-60cm to 1m tall, with the flower stems reaching 1 to 1.5m tall. Can be grown in semi-shade to sun, and in marshy gardens they will take full sun.
Click here for more info..
Bush Violet (Barleria obtusa) Thrives in the summer and winter rainfall regions, from the Western Cape to KwaZulu-Natal and north into Mpumalanga and the Northern Province. White purple or pink flowers. If pruned regularly it makes an excellent groundcover or low shrub for coastal gardens. Plant it into pots or hanging baskets, or allow it to cascade over low retaining walls or steps. +-70cm to 1m tall, but sometimes climbs into nearby trees. Full sun or light shade.
Click here for more info..
Bush Violet (Barleria repens)Can be found growing in forests and woodlands from KwaZulu-Natal and into tropical Africa. If pruned regularly it makes an excellent groundcover or low shrub for coastal gardens. Royal purple, flame red or bright pink flowers. Plant it in pots or hanging baskets, or allow it to cascade over low retaining walls or steps. +-70cm to 1m tall, but sometimes climbs into nearby trees. Full sun or light shade.
Click here for more info..
African Aloe (Aloe maculata)Is salt tolerant and will endure long periods of drought, thriving in coastal areas and dryspots. It can be found from the Eastern and Southern Cape Province, to Kwa-Zulu Natal, growing in small colonies. Well suited to rock or pebble gardens and grows well on sloping banks. When in bloom, the flower spikes can reach +-1m tall and the plant will spread about 1m. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Coral Aloe (Aloe striata)Widely distributed over the Eastern and Western Cape Province; growing in stony soils and on rocky hillsides; in arid areas near the coast and in the drier inland Karoo areas. This fantastic sculptural aloe looks best if it is planted in groups of three or more in the garden and grows well in containers. +-25cm tall and 45cm wide; but under optimal growing conditions, it can spread 1m in diameter. The flowers can reach +-60cm to 1m tall. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Cape Thatching Reed (Elegia tectorum)A reed-like plant which occurs naturally in marshes and seeps on deep sand in the Western and Eastern Cape, extending from Clanwilliam to Port Elizabeth, where they occur together with ericas, proteas, pincushions and other fynbos species.A low-maintenance feature plant that forms a large clump, creating a dramatic impact in the garden. An excellent subject to grow alongside ponds in moist soil. +-75cm to 1.5m tall and can spread 2m wide or more. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Wild Daisy Bush (Euryops)
Grows easily both inland and at the coast and their hardiness and long flowering season has made them popular garden plants. Great to use as filler plants in the garden and in the mixed flower border.There are many species available which vary in height from +-60cm to 1.5m tall. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)Thrives in hot coastal and humid regions and tolerates drought; making it a great water-wise garden plant. Remarkable if planted in groups, combined with plants that have contrasting blue flowers like lobelia, verbena or dwarf blue agapanthus. +-45cm tall and +-45cm wide. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Grevillea (Grevillea 'Mount Tamboritha')Is native to Australia and belongs to the Protea family, doing well in coastal gardens and dryer regions. A wonderful groundcover, especially in large areas and between conifers. Spectacular if allowed to cascade down banks or over low walls and works harmoniously in rock and pebble gardens. Its growth habit makes it ideal to plant in hanging baskets and window boxes. +-30 to 50cm tall and 1.5 to 2.5m wide, if left unpruned. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis)Native to the south-eastern coastal plain of the USA, where it grows in wetlands. Easy-to-grow, as long as the soil can be kept dry in winter and it is watered well in summer. Tolerates hot, humid summer regions. Large double, lilac, purple, blue, rose or white flowers. Lovely planted in groups, in borders and cottage gardens. Plant in pots and mixed containers Grows +-40 to 60cm tall and can spread as wide. Full sun, but will appreciate some afternoon shade in very hot regions.
Click here for more info..
Persian Shield (Strobilanthes) Grows best in warm, moist, frost free regions and at the coast. It enjoys humidity but must be protected from strong winds; and in dry regions it must be watered regularly. A wonderful contrast plant, which gives a tropical look to any planting. Great for containers, mass plantings, or with other ornamentals. +-1.5m tall and +-2.5m wide. Semi-shade to sun.
Click here for more info..
Shrimp Plant (Beloperone guttata)Takes humidity and grows well in coastal areas if it can be protected from strong wind. Water it regularly in summer, especially in the winter rainfall regions. Pretty in a pot or planted in the small shrub or flower border. +-1m tall and 50cm wide. Full sun or semi-shade.
Click here for more info..
Golden Rod (Solidago) Solidago are easy, undemanding plants that grow throughout South Africa, except for those very dry regions. Used in cottage or meadow gardens; the short varieties make excellent border plants and the taller varieties are planted in the back of the flower bed. Hybrids are a varied group and can form tight or spreading clumps, ranging in height from +-30cm to 1.8m tall. Most new garden varieties will grow quickly to +-40cm tall and 30cm wide. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Veronica (Hebe) By selecting the right variety, a Veronica can be found for almost any situation and season. They grow well in almost all parts of the country, except those very hot, dry or humid areas. Certain varieties like Hebe "Wiri Prince" thrive in coastal areas and are drought tolerant. Very many hybrids are available, from tiny miniatures to tall growing varieties. The flower colours include many shades of purple, lilac, blue, red, pink or white, and the attractive leaves vary greatly in size, shape and colour. Sun or semi-shade.
Click here for more info..
Lavender (Lavandula)Grow easily throughout the country and tolerates drought. Great to use in Mediterranean gardens.It responds well to pruning, making a lovely fast growing, formal or informal hedging plant. There are many hybrid species available which vary greatly in height and spread; from tiny miniatures to giant varieties. All hybrids, and especially the dwarf ones, make excellent low-maintenance groundcovers and border plants. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus)These easy to grow South African plants deserve a place in every garden. They thrive on neglect and many hybrid species are available, which vary greatly in height and spread, from tiny miniatures to giant varieties. These dependable plants are lovely planted in the mixed shrub border, grow easily in pots and make great formal or informal hedging plants. Full sun or light shade.
Click here for more info..
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)A hardy and dependable evergreen perennial herb Which is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Lovely blue, pink, white or lilac flowers. Because it responds well to pruning it makes a lovely fast growing, formal or informal hedging plant. Usually pruned to keep it +-1m tall and 1m wide. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Crane Flower (Strelitzia reginae)Grows wild in the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal in warm valleys, between other shrubs and along riverbanks and clearings in the coastal bush. Used as a bold structural plant and is highly recommended for mass plantings at office parks and schools. Can eventually reach up to 1.5m tall and 2m wide. flowers best if planted in full sun but will grow in semi-shade. 'Mandela's Gold'is a handsome yellow variety.
Click here for more info..
Strelitzia (Strelitzia juncea)Occurs naturally in Uitenhage, on harsh rocky outcrops and is extremely drought tolerant. A rare and sought after variety with its long erect, needle-like leaves. Makes a handsome feature plant in the garden. +-1 to 1.5m tall and can spread as wide. Full sun or in dry semi-shade.
Click here for more info..
Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis)Ideal to plant in seaside gardens and is adaptable to poor, sandy soil. On very windy sites give it some protection from the wind. A useful ornamental, screening or hedging plant which grows easily in pots. Produces brilliant orange, red, yellow, apricot or salmon flowers. A scrambler that can be pruned into a shrub about 1.5m tall and 1.5m wide. Sun or semi-shade.
Click here for more info..
Cape Forget-me-not(Plumbago auriculata)
Grows best in the warm, moist, frost-free regions of the country and at the coast. Plant it where it gets some protection from strong winds. A good informal hedge, or cascading groundcover on a slope. Can reach +-3m tall and 3m wide but is usually kept +-1.5m tall and 1.5m wide with regular pruning. Semi-shade or full sun.
Click here for more info..
Confetti Bush (Coleonema pulchrum)Grows wild in the Western and Eastern Cape and flourishes in coastal areas, but is not suited to very humid or hot, dry regions. Blends beautifully with fynbos plants. Can be clipped into a tiny hedge or round ball and looks charming planted in a mixed border of shrubs. Does well in pebble or rock gardens and can be grown in a pot. +-1.2m tall and +-80cm wide. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Mirror Bush (Coprosma repens)Grow well at the coast, where they tolerate humidity, strong wind and poor soil. Used for their glossy, evergreen leaves in many exciting colour variations; from golden yellow and green, creamy white and green, to chocolate brown and shades of pink. There are many cultivars available that vary in height from +-1 to 3m tall. Excellent filler plants, adding contrast to the mixed shrub border. Semi-shade or full sun.
Click here for more info..
Japanese Spindle Plant (Euonymus) Grows well throughout the country, except very hot, dry, and humid regions. A great coastal plant, tolerating salt spray, and drought once established. Responds well to clipping and excellent colourful hedge or screening plant. Tolerant of a wide range of soil types, but preferring alkaline soil. Several hybrid species are available, varying in height and spread from +-1m to 2m tall. Best in full sun but will take some shade, especially dry shade.
Click here for more info..
Japanese Laurel (Aucuba) Grows well throughout the country and is tolerant of full shade, dry soil and salt winds. Adaptable to almost any soil, except waterlogged soil and is remarkably drought tolerant once established. Will thrive even in full shade and its bold leaves with eye catching colour will add interest and brighten up even the dullest corner of your garden. A compact screening plant +-1.5 to 2m tall and +-1m wide.
Click here for more info..
Rock Rose (Cistus)In the Mediterranean rock roses grows wild on dry, rocky, sun-baked hillsides, and ideal to secure soil on slopes. They grow well in coastal regions that are not humid. Use them as low windbreaks or in the mixed shrub border. Several varieties are available with either pale to bright pink, reddish-purple, mauve or white flowers. The varieties vary in height from +-50cm to 2m tall. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Indian Hawthorn (Raphiolepis)Hawthorns grow well at the coast and are resistant to salty winds, making them ideal flowering hedges and screening plants. Plant them in mixed shrub borders or flower beds for seasonal interest.The flowers are either a delicate pink or white and are followed by showy blue-black berries. There are several varieties which vary in height from +-1 to 2m tall. Full sun or light shade.
Click here for more info..
September Bush (Polygala myrtifolia)Is wind tolerant and suitable for coastal gardens. A widespread pioneer shrub which grows in both the summer and winter rainfall regions; from near Clanwilliam in the Western Cape to Kwazulu-Natal. Found growing on dunes, rocky slopes, and in scrub and open grasslands; thriving in forests and alongside streams. A valuable addition to fynbos or Mediterranean gardens. If planted closely together it makes an excellent windbreak or hedge.
Click here for more info..
Escallonia (Escallonia)Grows well at the coast, but is not suited to very humid coastal areas. It tolerates wind and drought. Escalonia respond well to pruning, making them ideal for formal or informal hedges and screens. They also grow very easily in pots. There are several varieties and they all have a compact growth habit, but vary in height from +-1.5 to 2m tall, and can spread as wide as they are tall. Sun or light shade.
Click here for more info..
Wild Dagga (Leonotis leonurus)Grows quickly and easily in all the summer rainfall areas of the country and at the coast. Common on rocky hillsides, at forest margins and river banks, and in grasslands of the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces, Kwazulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. Try planting it in groups at the back of the mixed shrub border for a dramatic vertical accent. +-1 to 2m tall. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Wild Pomegranate (Burchellia bubaline)Flourishes in the warm, frost-free regions of the country that receive good rainfall. Grows in the summer and winter rainfall regions and thrives in gardens near the coast, from Swellendam to Kwazulu-Natal. In the wild it can be found growing in forests, forest margins, woodlands and grasslands. Water regularly during dry weather and protect from strong wind. Grows slowly to 1.5 to 3m tall. If it is grown at the coast it can be planted in full sun or semi-shade.
Click here for more info..
Outeniqua Pincushion (Leucospermum glabrum)Known for its hardiness and in the wild occurs only in the Outeniqua and Tsitsikama Mountains at altitudes of 150 to 500m, where it can be found growing in isolated stands on southern slopes. Will grow in most areas of the country if its needs are met, tolerating a wider range of soils than other pincushions, but will not thrive in very alkaline soil. Once established it will tolerate drought. An excellent focal point or filler shrub which is lovely if planted with other fynbos species. +-2m tall and 2m wide. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Pincushion (Leucospermum cordifolium)Grows wild only in the winter rainfall region of the South Western Cape, in a fairly small area from Kogelberg to Soetanysberg, near Bredasdorp. It thrives on slopes close to the ocean, in gravely, nutrient poor acidic soils and will not thrive in very alkaline soil. It will grow in most areas of the country if its needs are met and once established will in the garden and has great impact if planted in groups. +-1.25 to 1.5m tall. Mature specimens may spread 4m wide. Full sun.
Click here for more info..
Gardening in seaside gardens
Gazanias and LampranthusLiving near the ocean has many advantages; like the boundless beauty of the sea, fewer plant allergens and milder temperatures. However, many people just don't know what to plant. I regularly receive requests for information about plants for coastal gardens. Seaside gardening presents challenges for even the most skilled gardener, but despite these difficulties, there are ways to create an attractive garden. Not only will it enhance your own enjoyment and provide privacy, but it will add to the value of your property. Before you even think about buying plants there are several things to take into consideration first.
The natural conditions along the coast can create a hostile environment for ordinary garden plants. Harsh salty winds, dry sandy soil, irregular rainfall and heat can all wreak havoc on landscape plantings and how well they grow. If you are building a new house ask the builder to leave as much natural vegetation as possible and when implementing a windbreak, design the planting scheme to take advantage of the lovely coastal views. The wisest approach to selecting plants for seaside gardens is to see what is succeeding in your neighbours gardens. Most neighbours with great gardens have probably already gone through some trial and error and most gardeners are eager to share their knowledge and provide advice. Look at residential and municipal plantings as well as botanical gardens or nature reserves near to the ocean, in your region. You can learn much by just walking or driving around.
Osteospermum brightens coastal gardensPlanning to counter wind, salt spray and soil problems will ensure a beautiful seaside garden. Your first priority should be to create windbreaks. Wooden, bamboo or woven wattle fencing, shade cloth and hedging plants can all help you to achieve this. Never install a solid barrier like a brick wall as this will only cause unpleasant eddies of wind on the sheltered, leeward side of the barrier. A lattice type screen that is 2m tall will shelter the garden on its leeward side for about 20m (about 10 times its height). Shade cloth is great to install as a temporary measure, to protect new plantings until they are established. It is important to secure your barrier in place by using stout stakes, driven well into the ground. Getting the position of the screening right is important, so wait for a particularly windy day, walk around the garden and take notes of wind direction.
Natural screening with trees and shrubs is by far the most appealing but you need to position them very carefully, so as not to spoil the view after a few years of growth. Windbreaks of staggered heights are the most effective for breaking the strength of the wind. It is best to plant very tough, low growing plants first, directly facing the wind; then medium-sized plants and lastly taller shrubs and trees. The shorter plants will break the initial strength of the wind and force it over the taller plants, dissipating its strength. This type of planting gives a tiered effect and offers the best wind protection. On windy sites it is always better to plant smaller, younger plant material when starting a garden, because this allows the plants time to grow and establish a strong root system, to help them face the wind. New trees may need to be securely staked for two years or more. Once your barrier plants are established you will be able to plant more tender plants.
Showy colour is possible at the coast and Arctotis are available in a variety of colours. As is true of any kind of gardening, the first thing you need to do is learn if your soil is acid or alkaline. This is measured by pH; a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil on a scale from 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic and above 7 is alkaline. Most plants require good soil and drainage, and those grown near the ocean are no different. Sand alone does not supply enough nutrients for adequate plant growth; unless you are planting only indigenous species from the region; but if you wish to include indigenous plants from other parts of the country or some exotics, it is essential that you dig in copious quantities of rough compost into each bed or planting hole. This, together with regular mulching will help to conserve moisture. Moisture retaining granules are available that will help retain moisture in the soil and these are especially good for oily soils; where water pools on the surface, rather than seeping in easily. Oily soils absorb water better if they are dampened lightly initially and then soaked afterwards.
Watering your seaside garden is vital, especially when it is still young and if watering is a problem, plant only during the rainy season and consider re-cycling your grey water and installing rainwater tanks. Most plants will enjoy having their leaves washed down with fresh water occasionally. Make dams around each plant to keep the water around the roots. If you are installing irrigation, consider using drip irrigation as it is the most water efficient. If you decide to use sprayers, install heads that deliver coarse droplets of water low down near the soil, as coarse droplets are not so easily blown away by the wind.
There is a wide range of plants suitable for coastal gardens and it is possible to create a beautiful seaside garden as long as certain precautions are taken and sensible planning and planting are undertaken from the outset.
Carpobrotus deliciosus grows easily on the dunesClimatic factors will greatly influence your choice of plants and our coastline contains a number of quite different climate zones; from semi-dessert and winter rainfall, to sub-tropical, with summer rainfall. These zones cannot be clearly defined as in the boundaries of provinces and usually there is a gradual transition from one zone to the next. Knowing your climate zone is very important in plant selection and even a slight variation in altitude can influence your plant selection. If you become familiar with the plants that grow well in your particular coastal area and do a little research before making your final plant selection, your garden is bound to succeed. Plan to implement your garden plan in stages; firstly planting pioneer species, groundcovers, windbreaks and trees, and once these provide some shelter, the more tender plants.
Remember that a few well-selected plant varieties that are repeated throughout the garden will have more impact and appeal than a large selection of plants, placed haphazardly around the garden.
Pioneer plants like Chrysanthemoides (Bitou) are those indigenous species which are the first to colonize previously un-colonized land, after the soil is disturbed by fire, floods etc. Their hardiness and speed of growth provides protection for other, slower growing species. When planting, add compost to your planting holes and mulch your plants regularly, to help them establish themselves quicker. Most pioneer plants are fast growing and short lived and are removed once the other plants are established.
Water-wise gardening article
Xeriscape Garden Design
Water-wise gardening is not only for dry areas; nor does it mean that you can only plant indigenous plants, cacti and succulents. Water wise gardening implements the basic principles of Xeriscape gardening, with the most important one being the practice of selecting plants with water requirements corresponding to the local rainfall patterns and climate where they are to be planted, as well as for their drought tolerance; significantly reducing the need to water. This water efficient method of gardening can be adapted to many different types of gardens and using the principles of Xeriscape gardening will allow you to plant and maintain your annuals, perennials, vegetables, shrubs and trees in the most water wise manner possible.
As our population grows rapidly, water is becoming a scarce and expensive commodity and planning a water wise garden is becoming a necessity and not an option. Xeriscaped gardens can reduce water consumption by 60% and will increase property values. Water wise gardening works well for those of us who wish to conserve water and cultivate an ecologically friendly method of gardening. It is also beneficial for people who do not have the time to maintain a water-consuming garden. Planning a water wise garden may take some time and research but is well worth the effort.
Xeriscape provides practical solutions to various climate and landscape concerns. It includes placing plantings and structures where they can be used to cool a home in the summer or warm it in the winter. These are also used to block strong winds and to provide shelter from rain and snow, as well as to control surface drainage.
Indigenous plants have more resistance to pests and diseases than introduced exotics and including indigenous plants from your area will decrease your pesticide use. If you want to include exotic plants in your garden, choose those that will adapt best to the climate in your area and group them according to their watering needs
Xeriscapes can be beautiful as well as drought-tolerant and by using a variety of leaf, flower and berry colours; together with textures and fragrance, can create a delightful garden for the senses. Even during times of drought and water restrictions, xeriscape gardens retain much of their beauty while conventional, water-thirsty landscapes suffer.
Each year, as the growing human population encroaches on wildlife habitats, more and more plant and animal species disappear. A more natural landscape has less impact on the environment and by following the Xeriscape principles, together with a careful selection of plants; you can lure birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife back into your garden.
Xeriscape design is based on sound horticultural practices. Follow the Seven Principles of Xeriscape gardening and you will have a water wise, yet beautiful, landscape. If you are planning on doing the work yourself, remember to "keep it simple" and to set realistic goals for yourself.
1) Planning and Design
Planning your garden is vital for success and will only work if you are practical and totally realistic about your design and the needs of your family; so before you pick up your shovel, pick up your pencil first. Jot down some notes on what you require, like an entertainment area, vegetable patch or playground for children etc. Try to include solar lighting, rainwater tanks, a worm farm or other sensible green ideas. Don't forget the essentials that are not so exciting, like washing lines, compost and garbage bins etc. Take note of what you have inherited, like a beautiful view, that you don't want to block out, or your neighbours Jacuzzi; that you do want to block out. Don't forget power lines and neighbours trees etc. Take careful note of slopes and potential drainage problems.
Now measure your garden and draw it onto a piece of graph paper, choosing a scale like 1:100 which simply means that 1cm = 1m, or 1:300 - 1cm = 3m. Now create a scaled drawing of your garden and include all permanent features like buildings and pathways; as well as existing plants or trees that you want to leave in the landscape. Once you are happy that your scale and placements are correct, mark them in permanent ink. Next, using a pencil, roughly draw circles where you want to include new features. These can be erased at will, until you are happy with their final positioning. You are now ready to roughly sketch the beds with your pencil. When you are happy with the shape of your beds you can ink them in and you are ready to start making your plant selection.
Before selecting your plants take into consideration how exposed or sheltered your site is and your soil type, annual rainfall and general climatic conditions like frost, salty winds etc. All these factors will greatly influence your choice of plants. It is vital that you identify sunny and shady areas, so clearly mark your plan with its north, south, east and west beds and take notes on exactly how many hours sun each bed receives in the summer and whether it is morning, afternoon or hot midday sun. Remember that certain areas may receive little or no sun in the winter. If you supply this information to a good garden centre they will be better able to help you select the perfect plants for all your beds, saving you a lot of money on replacing unsuitable plants. Once you have your final selection of plants, take note of their height and spread at maturity and draw them onto your plan, to scale. Templates are available to achieve this with ease. Once you are happy with their placement you can mark them permanently on your plan.
Make use of the xeriscaping concept of zoning, in which plants with similar sun and water needs are grouped together in specific zones. If you have a large garden, design it so that the highly visible areas have irrigation, but the rest of the garden has broad areas requiring little maintenance or watering.
Working on a limited budget is no excuse to not draw a garden plan because you can always implement the garden in stages. Good garden planning always pays off in the long run.
2) Soil Amendment
Soils can vary from one part of the garden to the next. No matter what soil type you have, and especially if you have sand or clay, the addition of organic matter (compost) will greater improve your chances for success. If the soil is hard and compacted, dig the compost in as deeply as you can. If this is done properly from the start, you shouldn't have to dig the soil over again, as this disturbs the natural cycle of the soil. Incorporating organic matter into the soil is important for a number of reasons, including water retention. Lack of initial soil preparation is a major reason for plants not thriving. Good soil is a must for plants to develop deep-root systems which can endure drought. Clay soil is dense and does not allow oxygen to penetrate or water to be readily absorbed, making it difficult for roots to grow and causing wasteful runoff. Sandy soil allows the water to drain off too quickly for the plants to absorb it effectively. To correct these problems you need to improve the soil. Alternatively you could choose plants that thrive in sandy or clay soil, but then your plant selection will be restricted.
3) Reduced Lawn Areas
Most lawns require a lot of water, fertilisation and upkeep, so carefully consider how much lawn you really need and use it only where it is really prudent. Evaluate your garden and eliminate grass in long narrow strips, replacing it with paving or decking, hardy perennials and groundcovers. Do not use grass to secure soil on slopes, where it may be difficult to irrigate and water runoff could be a problem; rather select plants with low water and maintenance requirements. Do not plant grass in high traffic areas or shade, unless you sow a special shade variety.
4) Efficient Irrigation
Gardeners tend to water more than we need too, and installing the correct irrigation system will water your plants efficiently and reduce water evaporation, saving you a fortune on water bills. Water deeply but less often, as deep soakings encourage deep root growth, enabling plants to thrive between watering. There are several ways to water your garden, from various sprinkler systems to drip irrigation and soaker hoses. Sprinklers are good for covering larger areas like lawns but remember that up to 70% of light and fine droplet water applications will simply evaporate, so rather use coarse droplet sprayers that spray near to the ground. Avoid watering on windy days when evaporation rates are higher and always water in the cool of the early morning or late afternoon. A drip irrigation system will supply a continuous drip for a longer period than if you were to run your regular sprinkler heads. It is used mainly to irrigate trees, shrubs, flower boarders and vegetable gardens. Drip irrigation works well for garden beds where the plants have similar water requirements. If you install a timer system, reset it according to the seasons and frequency of rainfall and check your spray heads regularly to ensure that they are not spraying unnecessary surfaces like driveways and other hard surfaces. When good rains fall, stop watering for a few days, except where plants or structures such as walls, roof overhangs and large trees and shrubs have prevented the rain from penetrating.
5) Appropriate Plant Selection
Zone your garden by having high, medium and low watering areas, and group your plants accordingly. Do some research and choose your plants carefully. For the greatest savings in water and especially if you live in a very dry area, choose mainly drought hardy plants. With efficient planning and irrigation, water loving plants like lawns, roses and vegetable gardens can be included in a water wise garden. Weather you decide to go totally indigenous or want to include exotics in your design, grouping them according to their watering, soil and sun requirements is vital for success.
6) Use of Mulches
Mulches minimize evaporation, retard weed growth, slow erosion, and help prevent soil temperature fluctuations. Good mulches include compost, bark or wood chips and straw. Mulch has the added benefit of decomposing over time, thus improving the soil. Replenish your mulch once or twice a year but do not apply it thicker than a couple of centimetres and never heap it right up against the stems of your trees and shrubs. Rocks and pebbles can be used, but in hot gardens large expanses of rocks or paving should be avoided because they will retain heat around your plants, especially if they are sited in full sun.
7) Good Maintenance
Proper maintenance of your irrigation system by checking sprayer heads regularly and adjusting your water flow throughout the seasons will conserve water. Weeds use a lot of water and keeping your garden weed free will also help. Mowing your lawn to the correct height is important because if it is mowed too short, it dries out quickly, thus requiring more water. Proper pruning, weeding, fertilization and maintenance will preserve and enhance the quality of your Xeriscape garden.
A landscape adapted to the environment will require less maintenance, less fertilizer, and reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals. By using the principles of Xeriscape, you can be assured of an attractive, healthy landscape that uses just the right amount of water.
Powder-puff Tree, Poeierkwasboom, iBhoqo - Barringtonia racemosa
Barringtonia racemosaBecause today mangrove forests are one of the most fragile and threatened habitats in the world due to natural and demographic pressures created by growing human populations encroaching on their environment I have included this article here for educational purposes.
Mangrove forests are also known as "rainforests by the sea" and are one of the most important coastal ecosystems in the world in terms of primary production and coastal protection; contributing greatly to the stabilization of the shoreline and the prevention of shore erosion. Distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, mangroves reach their greatest height in Southeast Asia; leading many botanists to believe that this is their birth place, from which their seeds and seedlings were spread by ocean currents to different coastal regions in the tropics.
Mangrove trees have adapted to live in saline habitats, producing support roots which grow directly into the unstable mud flats to firmly anchor the trees and aerial or 'breathing' roots which filter out the salt in the brackish water, enabling them to survive. Different mangroves have evolved different structures to deal with this, such as the prop-roots of Rhizophora or the pencil-roots of Avicennia. In Bruguiera, the "breathing-roots" are knee-like structures projecting some 30cm above the mud and supported on two or more roots. The top of each of these develops a callus-like tissue through which the necessary air exchange takes place.
Mangroves also get rid of excessive salt by depositing it into the old leaves, which subsequently go yellow and fall off. Almost as soon as a leaf falls, one of the fiddler (Uca species) of crabs will quickly emerge, grab the fallen leaf and dash back to its hole, as these leaves are one of their main food sources. Fiddler crabs are found in mangrove forests, in salt marshes, and on sandy or muddy beaches, and brackish intertidal mud flats, lagoons and swamps.
The flower buds of mangroves have also evolved a fascinating mechanism where each petal encloses two stamens and behaves independently of the other petals, requiring 'tripping' by several birds before opening fully, and in the absence of birds will drop un-opened. Tripping ejects the pollen out onto the probing bill of the bird which spreads it to neighbouring trees. This flower-bird relationship is a universal adaptation throughout the distribution range of mangrove forests. However, the bird species differ with each geographic region; including honey eaters in Papua New Guinea and Australasia and the mangrove kingfisher, sunbirds, white-eyes and bulbuls in South Africa. The flowers are also visited by bees, bats, ants, moths, wasps, sunbirds and vervet monkeys.
The seeds germinate and grow right on the parent tree, and during this time they acquire the carbohydrates they will need later to grow on their own. The mangrove tree eventually drops its seedlings and they either take root in the mud below or are swept out by the tide, floating for great distances to take root far from the parent plant.
Today mangrove forests are one of the most fragile and threatened habitats in the world due to natural and demographic pressures created by growing human populations encroaching on their environment. Mangrove trees act as sinks which concentrate pollutants such as sewage, toxic minerals, pesticides, herbicides, etc. and over time these pollutants build up, causing stress to the trees and even their death.This has devastating consequences for other wildlife dependant on these trees. For example; the litter produced by the trees shedding their leaves enters the water and produces detritus. Detritus in terrestrial ecosystems is encountered as leaf litter and other organic matter intermixed with soil, and referred to as humus. Detritus of aquatic ecosystems however, is organic material suspended in water, and referred to as marine snow. The detritus is in turn colonized by heterotrophic bacteria, thus enhancing its nutritive value. This detritus is consumed by the juveniles of a variety of marine and freshwater molluscs; clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, shrimps and fishes, which migrate into the mangrove environment for better feeding and protection. Mangrove trees also provide nesting sites for many shore birds and serve as a home for crab-eating monkeys, proboscis monkeys, fishing cats, lizards, sea turtles, bats, various snails, and many more animals.
Because the hard red wood of mangroves is well known for being tough, waterproof and resistant to borers, it is highly prized by locals living in close proximity to the forests for the building of boats, in making fish traps and the frames of huts etc.; adding enormous human pressure on mangroves throughout their range. Thousands of tons of Bruguiera wood chips are exported annually from Indonesia, Sabah, and Sarawak for pulp and for rayon manufacture; and fragments of wood are made into charcoal in many places. The bark is a source of tannins and resins and also yields a black dye. In Hawaii, the flowers are used for making lei (flower necklaces). The plant is also used medicinally.
The importance of preserving mangrove ecosystems is of paramount importance to the stability of coastal ecosystems worldwide. In South Africa mangrove forests are located in estuaries from Kosi Bay in KwaZulu-Natal to Nahoon Estuary in the Eastern Cape. Public awareness and education about the mangrove forests will help us to protect our mangrove ecosystems, and it is vital that we involve local communities in managing and protecting their mangroves.
(Barringtonia racemosa) Powder-puff tree, Poeierkwasboom, iBhoqo, mtomondo
This beautiful mangrove tree is easy to identify because of its large leaves, delicate white flowers and guava like fruit that hang in long racemes. Although it is not threatened in the wild; it is a protected tree in South Africa. It is common along tropical and subtropical coastlines of the Indian Ocean, starting at the east coast of South Africa. It is also abundant in Mozambique, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, southern China, northern Australia, the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and a number of Polynesian islands. B. racemosa is the only indigenous species of this genus occurring in South Africa. Two Asian species (B. asiatica and B. acutangula) exist in cultivation in the Durban Botanic Gardens.
This mangrove produces a straight, un-branched stem and a rounded crown, generally reaching a height of 4 to 8m; and occasionally 15m. The bark is mottled yellow or brown and can be smooth to fissured. This mangrove produces no aboveground roots, but may have spreading surface roots. The large alternate leaves are carried in clusters at the ends of the branches.
It flowers twice a year; in spring and again from January to April. The flowers are produced on hanging racemes up to 1 m long; and the buds are pinkish-red, splitting open to reveal masses of delicate stamens in white sprays up to 35mm wide; these are often tinged with pink. The flowers give off a pungent, putrid yet faintly sweet odour, which attracts moths and nectar feeding bats at night; and it is the larval food plant for the Red-tab Policeman butterfly (Coeliades keithloa.)
The fruits are quadrangular, and each fruit contains a single seed surrounded by spongy, fibrous flesh that provides the buoyancy that allows the fruit to be carried off with the tide.
Although there are no records of animals eating the fruit, the presence of the trees up to 1 000 m above sea level points to an as yet unknown animal as a dispersal agent.
The seeds; bark; wood and roots contain the poison saponin which is used to stun fish - the bark with its high tannin content is frequently used in powdered form for this purpose. Extracts from the plant are an effective insectide and also used medicinally in the East; in South Africa the Zulus use the fruit to treat malaria. The young leaves are edible and the bark is often used for cordage.
This mangrove is a most decorative tree, which grows easily and rapidly in relatively dry conditions like ordinary garden beds, as long as it can be watered well; especially in winter. It is well suited to small gardens because its horizontal branching habit makes the canopy easy to prune. Also, the very large leaves provide plenty of shade. Combine it with other plants which thrive in very moist soil for a striking display. Barringtonia racemosa is mainly a coastal species that thrives under very humid, moist conditions; and in humid and moist regions like Durban and Sri Lanka the weather is such that it is used as a roadside tree. Unfortunately it cannot tolerate even mild frost; but can be grown successfully in the Highveld in a greenhouse under permanently well watered and very humid conditions.
B. racemosa is deciduous, dropping its leaves for a short time in early summer before the first rains on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The wood is susceptible to sap-stain and being attacked by termites and marine borer; and the sapwood is prone to attack by Lyctus borers.
In their natural habitat plants grow rapidly from seed or cuttings that are pushed into the muddy ground. The large seeds are about the size of a chicken’s egg and a large proportion of the fruits are seedless; so check them first by splitting the hard outer covering of the fruit to expose the seed. To grow them at home plant them into individual pots in a mixture of one part sand to one part compost and place in a warm, bright, well-ventilated area. The seeds generally germinate within 10 to 14 days, depending upon the heat. Seedlings can be planted out into large containers or into the open ground in their second season of growth.