The Butterfly Bush blooms abundantly

Thursday, 03 May 2018 13:48

The Butterfly Bush will bloom almost continuously from spring to autumn, and its strikingly beautiful blue blooms are sought-after because blue flowers are rare.

The Chelsea Flower Show

Thursday, 03 May 2018 11:33

The Chelsea Flower Show - Trailfinders South African Wine Estate Garden

Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen'Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen'These natives of Australia and New Zealand are old time favourites for cold South African gardens because they can be depended upon to produce a show stopping abundance of flowers in winter and spring.

The Cape honeysuckle is water-wise

Wednesday, 25 April 2018 09:36

Picture courtesy Wilferd Duckitt - Lesser Double-Collard Sunbird in Tecomaria capensis - See his flickr page.Picture courtesy Wilferd Duckitt - Lesser Double-Collard Sunbird in Tecomaria capensis - See his flickr page.The Cape honeysuckle remains wildly popular with gardeners in South Africa and around the world. It is a carefree garden plant which does not suffer from any serious peats and diseases, making it perfect for eco-conscious gardeners who do not spray harmful chemicals.

These little beauties are sure to capture your heart and are grown worldwide for their cheerful colours and fabulously fragrant flowers which symbolise sweetness, friendship and trust, last long in a vase, and will perfume an entire room.

Daffodils never fail to charm

Sunday, 22 April 2018 10:27

What would spring be like without the sunny blooms of daffodils to remind us that winter is finally over and 'spring has sprung' and there is something truly magical about a deciduous woodland floor covered with daffodils in full bloom. 

Cerastostigma willmottianumCerastostigma willmottianumChinese Plumbago flowers from late summer through autumn and remains popular worldwide for its vivid blue blooms as blue is a rare flower colour.

Common Primroses are hard to ignore

Monday, 16 April 2018 14:03

Primula acaulis mixed bicolour. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaPrimula acaulis mixed bicolour. Picture courtesy www.nuleaf.co.zaCommon Primroses are little gems which are hard to ignore when in full bloom in winter and spring. They are essential in romantic and cottage gardens, but with the right combination of plants, can look just as stunning in a modern garden.

Bokbaaivygie. Picture courtesy Doreanthus Maria KlangBokbaaivygie. Picture courtesy Doreanthus Maria KlangBokbaai vygies are one of South Africa’s most famous wildflower exports, and they are grown worldwide for their multitude of silky-textured flowers in winter and spring, in a dazzling range of colours like yellow, cream, pink, lavender, magenta, and orange.

Love it or hate it, broccoli still holds its own in the vegetable kingdom, ranking as the world's fifth most popular vegetable. President Barack Obama certainly would agree, and at a state dinner at the White House he once stated that broccoli was his favourite vegetable!

African Daisy. Picture courtesy Scott ParrishAfrican Daisy. Picture courtesy Scott ParrishThese indigenous flowers carpet the bare veldt of the south-western and north-western Cape and Namaqualand in spring, and the flowers are so prolific that the leaves are almost invisible when the blooms appear.

Flamingo flowers are air purifiers

Monday, 26 March 2018 12:41

In spite of its exotic appearance the flamingo flower is surprisingly low maintenance, and as long as you understand its needs, it’s not hard to care for . A well-cared for plant will reward you with wonderful, long lasting flowers for many years. Just one plant can give a room a more tropical feel, so naturally, homeowners are adding this tropical plant to their outdoor rooms as well. .

If you’re a fan of pre-washed, pre-packaged mixed baby greens, chances are you have come across tatsoi, and in many stores you can also buy whole plants. This beautiful looking Asian green will certainly grab your attention with its thick, lustrous green leaves which are spoon-shaped and arranged in a beautiful rosette of regular, concentric circles, and once you have sampled its soft creamy texture and subtle yet distinctive mild mustard flavour, you will certainly be hooked on this little plant.

Dianthus Bouquet Purple. Picture courtesy Ball Horticultural CompanyDianthus Bouquet Purple. Picture courtesy Ball Horticultural CompanyDoes your summer flower garden start to fizzle out as soon as the cooler weather arrives? If so, you need a new plan to keep your beds blooming, and one which doesn’t cost a fortune either! 

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