Why you should choose perennials

Modern gardeners are looking for good-looking plants which perform at their best with a minimum of fuss. They want to save on water and reduce or eliminate the need to spray poisons in the garden and are also selecting plants which are not susceptible to pests and diseases. For these reasons, they are choosing plants that are suitable for growing in their soil type and climatic region, rather than struggling with plants that are not suitable.

Gardeners are opting to use tough yet beautiful flowering perennials which don’t need to be replaced every season, and are only adding seasonal annuals in smaller areas for colour and accent, or in pots which can easily be maintained and positioned where they are most effective.

There are perennials suitable for every garden

Perennial plants are wonderful additions to the landscape. While trees and shrubs may act as the bones of a garden, perennials provide the muscles that hold everything together. The season-long statement they offer is unmatched, as you can plan and design your perennial garden to shift with the seasons.

If you design it well, your garden will deliver colourful blooms all year round. And if you include perennials for their bold flowers or colourful foliage, you are guaranteed a prize-winning garden that is low on maintenance and good for your bank balance.

There’s a breath-taking range of perennials to choose from, and with a little research and planning, you can find the perfect perennials for your gardens particular growing conditions and climate.

Perennials are cost effective

Although perennials tend to cost more initially, they are a good long-term investment because, unlike annuals which complete their life cycle in one growing season, perennials come back year after year, making them a great economic choice for gardeners on a budget.

Perennials will save you on water bills

Unlike annuals, perennials have evolved to come back season after season, so they’ve had a lot of practice making sure their timing is perfect. During the dry season, or when there is a drought, many will go completely dormant until conditions improve, and they can remain in a dormant state for a very long time. Instinctively they seem to know when the rains are coming, and will quickly show signs of new growth. This adaptation is especially advantageous for gardeners in regions prone to droughts.

Water newly planted perennials regularly until their root systems are well established.

Perennials are easily propagated by division

Many perennial plants benefit from being lifted and divided every couple of years, and this is the best time to propagate new plants for free, or to give them away to family and friends.  

Perennials are great for container gardening

Gardeners naturally think about flowering annuals first if they are planting up pots, window boxes or hanging baskets, but perennials should not be overlooked as they offer some unique advantages.

Trailing perennial groundcovers can blend effortlessly with annuals in pots, and will outlast their annual companions. If they have outgrown the pots at the end of the season, you can remove them and plant them into the ground.

If you have some prized perennials that need shelter in winter, or don’t quite fit your area’s climate, you can plant them into pots that can be moved around to keep them in the most suitable environment throughout the year.

Water young perennial plants regularly, until they are established, and check your potted plants often as they dry out much quicker than those growing in garden beds.

Perennials are good for wildlife

Perennial plants provide pollen, nectar, seeds and nesting material for bees, birds, butterflies and a host of other insects. Planting perennials, both indigenous and exotic, will create a welcome habitat for pollinators and other local wildlife, so try to include as many of our gorgeous indigenous plants to your list as possible.

Here is a list of some of my favourite summer perennials which can take heat and drought.

Yarrow Mix. Image by Roland Steinmann from Pixabay

Yarrow, Old Man’s Pepper, Knight’s Milfoil, Bloodwort, Military Herb (Achillea millefolium)

Common yarrow is a member of the lovely Asteraceae family, and a close relative of Chamomile and Chrysanthemums. It is native to the temperate regions of Eurasia, spanning across Europe, northern Asia, and the Caucasus where it thrives in dry meadows, grasslands, fields, and along roadsides.

Yarrow exceptionally drought-hardy and heat-tolerant once its root system is established, making it a popular choice for water-wise gardens. This perennial thrives in full sun and grows best in poor to average, well-drained soil, as rich or heavily fertilised soil causes the stems to grow weak and flop over.

The flower colours come in delightful shades of lavender, purple, white, apricot, yellow, cream, red, rose, and pink. They are a natural choice for difficult areas, and perfect to stabilise sandy soils and prevent soil erosion, especially on slopes. Their beautiful foliage and flowers are excellent to cut for the vase, or to dry for winter arrangements.

'Red Shades' blooms tirelessly through the summer, and 'Summer Pastels Mixed’ is a variety with tall flower stems, making it a lovely border plant suitable for cut flower production, and for drying. Whether you grow yarrow as a decorative plant or an herb, you can be sure that it will add beauty and charm to your garden, and since it is so easy to care for, you have nothing to lose by giving this ancient herb a small place in one of your sunny flower beds.

Common yarrow has low ignitability, and can be used as a fire barrier, created by replacing highly flammable vegetation with species that are less-flammable vegetation in fire-prone areas, can help prevent ignition or slow down the spread of fire.

Click here to find my articles on Firescaping Your Property.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Yarrow

This article also includes other interesting information on Yarrow: Its long history and uses in many cultures around the world and its health benefits, how to use it in the kitchen and in your pet arsenal, and not forgetting its wonderful benefits as a companion plant in the garden.

Armeria maritime. Image by plushbearcat Pixabay

Thrift, Sea Pink (Armeria maritime)

Armeria maritime can be found growing in the wild on maritime cliffs, salt marshes, in arid regions, and the mildly disturbed soil of grasslands and open forests all over Britain and Northern Europe. This little evergreen perennial produces compact tufts of grass-like leaves. The long stems are topped with papery pink or white flowers from spring to autumn, and they overwinter as rounded, dense cushions of growth.

Two varieties: 'Ballerina Red' and 'Ballerina White' were awarded the Fleuroselect Gold Medal, a coveted award in the plant world. These flowering perennials produce striking, ball-shaped flower heads on 20cm tall stems in summer. The flowers last long in a vase.

Because thrifts naturally grow in dry, rocky, and sandy coastal areas, they are both heat and drought tolerant, and very well-suited to rock gardens, xeriscapes and water-wise landscapes. Use them in mixed borders as edging plants, and in containers. As a groundcover they will slowly form a beautiful spreading carpet.This tough little plant tolerates frost, and salty winds at the coast and saline soils, but is not suited to very humid regions.

Thrifts love full sun and cannot grow in the shade. They prefer light sandy soils that drain well, and once their root system is established they are drought-tolerant. They are highly sensitive to overwatering and heavy wet soils, which cause the centre of the plant to rot.

Members can click here to read the full article on Thrifts.

Lewisia 'Elise' Mix. Picture courtesy Ball Straathof

Lewisia, Siskiyou Lewisia, Cliff Maids (Lewisia Cotyledon)

Lewisias are indigenous to the western parts of North America, where they are often found clinging precariously to rocky ledges or among boulders on rock-strewn slopes.  Some species occur in damp gravelly places, some in alpine meadows and others in desert like conditions, such is the diversity of this fascinating genus.

In the wild, the evergreen species are frequently found growing vertically in shady rocky crevices where the roots can reach moisture, but where the collar of the plant remains perfectly drained. Lewisia cotyledon is no exception, and this evergreen native of southern Oregon and northern California grows in rocky subalpine mountain habitats.

‘Elise Mix’

Elise Mix is a strikingly beautiful little plant that displays a mixture of colours in shades of pink, rose, salmon, orange, white, yellow and bi-colours. It flowers in flushes throughout summer, and is ideal for planting in garden beds, rockeries, and pots, both outdoors and indoors.

Once established lewisia is both heat and drought tolerant, however, it flowers best with regular watering in summer. Excess water is its biggest enemy so always plant in very well-drained, gritty soil, and to prevent rotting, always allow the soil to dry out before watering again.

Lewisia is low-maintenance and water-wise making it ideal for Xeriscaping - the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation. In South Africa the plants are generally happiest in an open position that is protected from the sun during the hottest part of the day.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Lewisia.

African Daisy Image by Hans from Pixabay

African Daisy, Rankbietou, umasigcolo nkonekazi, u-Mesigcolo-nkonekazi (Dimorphotheca)

There are about 19 Dimorphotheca species native to southern Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe, with 7 found in Namaqualand. The plants are found growing in afromontane, karroid and arid to subtropical coastal belts and grasslands, at elevations from seal-level to 3,000m.

These asters are renowned for their hardiness, growing extremely well at the coast and inland, where they tolerate strong winds and sandy soils. And, because their fibrous root system goes deep, they are drought hardy, and able to withstand veld fires. They thrive in chalky soils, where they survive on very little water, but will adapt to most garden soils which have perfect drainage. To keep them looking at their best in the garden, water judiciously during prolonged dry spells.

These little plants are perfect for Xeriscaping. The upright species are delightful in the flower border, making the greatest impact when planted in groups. The spreading evergreen species can be used as a border for the flower garden, to line pathways, or in a rockery where they can cascade over the rocks. Their trailing habit also makes them ideal subjects for hanging baskets and pots located in full sun. They are also hardy groundcovers, and perfect candidates for stabilising sandy soils on embankments.

Thanks to plant breeders who continue to expand their funky colour palette and unique petal shapes, African daisies are now available in a wide selection of varieties and new cultivars.

Many of the species flower mainly in late winter to spring, and others will start flowering in spring and keep on blooming for many months in summer, often taking a break during the height of summer, only to spring back and bloom again in late summer and autumn.

There are several species and their cultivars that are loved by gardeners:

Trailing Daisy, (Dimorphotheca jucunda) with its inspiring shades of wine-red, white, pink, yellow, and terracotta.

Bergbietou (Dimorphotheca fruticosa) has purple daisy-like flowers, and a form that has white flowers with lilac centres, and mauve on the reverse of the petals.

Sundays River Daisy (Dimorphotheca ecklonis) has sparkling white flowers with light blue or violet on the reverse side, and dark blue or purple centres.

The Ox-eye Daisy (Dimorphotheca tragus) produces white, or yellow to orange daisy flowers, with a purple central disc.

Karoo Bietou (Dimorphotheca cuneata) has an abundance of predominantly white to orange flowers with yellow centres, but occasionally pink flowers occur.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Dimorphotheca, and more about the species mentioned above.

Felicia amelloides. Image by mekischc from Pixabay

Felicias

Blue is a sought after colour amongst gardeners because it’s quite rare, especially a true blue shade. Felicias, with their masses of striking sky-blue and sunny yellow flower heads fit the bill, catching the eye wherever they are planted.

There are approximately 84 species of Felicia, and South Africa is blessed with about 79, most of which are found in the Cape provinces. This little plant did not go un-noticed and was one of the earliest species used in horticulture. Sky-blue, pale blue, violet-blue, pink and white flowered forms are now available, as well as a variegated variety and a beautiful annual which is entirely blue.

Depending on the climate where they are grown, flowering times can vary and in some regions the plants may flower almost continuously, or give their best flush in spring and early summer, or even in late summer and autumn. Generally, in hot climates the plant will stop blooming when temperatures rise in midsummer.

Young plants need regular watering, but once established they are rugged, low maintenance and water-wise evergreen perennials which are long-lived in the garden. To look their best, water occasionally during very long dry spells. Do not overwater or let the soil stay wet, as soggy roots will harm the plant.

These daisies grow with little fuss, and can be used almost anywhere you have a reasonably sunny spot in the garden. They are excellent container plants, and if planted in mass in the garden they are a breath-taking sight when in full bloom.

There are several beautiful garden species:

The Kingfisher Daisy (Felicia bergeriana) is usually treated as a summer flowering annual, especially in cold regions. It is low grown for its brilliant Kingfisher blue flowers with a metallic sheen and conspicuous golden eyes, borne on slender stalks that are held above the foliage.

The Blue Felicia (Felicia amelloides) daisy is one of the most loved and rewarding garden plants, and sought-after for its sky blue flowers. White and a variegated form are also available.

The Wild Aster (Felicia aethiopica) is a delightful little plant, and because its bright blue flowers with yellow centres can appear all year round, it is a must in every garden.

The Dune Daisy (Felicia echinata) is easy to tell apart from the others because the branches are almost entirely covered with stiff, shiny, dark green leaves that are edged with small white teeth which curve to form a sharp tip. Both mauve and white forms are available.

The Wild Michaelmas Daisy, isithelelo, ixhaphozi (Felicia erigeroides) has pretty daisy flowers in subtle shades of pink, mauve and lilac, contrasting well with its yellow central discs.

Members can click here to read my full article on growing and propagating Felicias.

It also includes more information on the species mentioned above, and how to use these little gems in the garden.

Dichondra 'Silver Falls' Image by Teresa Grau Ros from flickr

Dichondra 'Silver Falls' (Dichondra argentea)

Dichondra argentea is a perennial native to the desert regions of western Texas, New Mexico, south eastern Arizona and northern Mexico, where it grows prostrate on the ground with creeping stems which readily take root at the leaf nodes.

The plant is heat and drought tolerant, and will recover quickly if wilted, but to keep it looking its best, try to water moderately during dry spells. Soil drainage is particularly important, and especially if the plant is grown as a ground cover.

‘Silver Falls’ is a garden cultivar which is loved for its velvety-soft silver foliage and glistening stems that will cascade up to 1.2m long, resembling a waterfall of tiny silver coins.

'Emerald Falls' is a garden cultivar with brilliant emerald green leaves, and a more rounded shape than 'Silver Falls', producing a wider but shorter plant.

Gardener’s love this perennial because it is easy to grow in full sun or light shade, and when used as a groundcover it quickly forms a lush, dense mat that not only looks great but also blocks out weeds. Both forms make a bold statement all on their own in the garden, but they also blend well with other plants to cool down brightly coloured landscapes, and to provide subtle contrast for gardens with lots of green, leafy plants. Because the stems can cascade up to 1m long, Dichondra makes a fantastic trailing plant for hanging baskets, and also looks beautiful cascading down steps, or over retaining walls and tall pots.

They are great additions to modern city gardens where they are planted on balconies, in courtyards, rock gardens, and even in vertical or rooftop gardens. Allow your creative juices to flow when using this little plant. Even if you only have a small balcony garden you could plant into hanging baskets to create a curtain of gorgeous foliage for privacy.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Dichondra.

Carpet Geranium. Image by Nennieinszweidrei from Pixabay

Carpet Geranium, Horlosie, ngope-sethsoha, tlako, malko (Geranium incanum)

In the wild, the carpet geranium can be found scrambling through the natural vegetation along the eastern and south-western coastlines of South Africa, from Malmesbury to KwaZulu-Natal, and extending into tropical Africa. It occurs all the way along the coast, transitioning from the winter rainfall regions, through those regions that have year-round rainfall, and into KwaZulu-Natal where it is just as happy with the summer rainfall.

This evergreen perennial is often found growing together with fynbos on the slopes of hills, as well as on coastal dunes, and in damp coastal flats and seeps. It forms a dense, mounded carpet and its finely divided, aromatic, light green leaves have a lovely silvery-grey flush to them, lending a soft texture to the garden, and during the cooler months the leaves may display slight coppery-bronze hues. The masses of delicate, pale mauve to lavender, pink or white flowers can appear at any time of the year, peaking during spring and summer.

The carpet geranium remains a popular garden plant not only for its very long flowering period, but also because it is long-lived, undemanding, and very versatile in the garden. The masses of delicate, pale mauve to lavender, pink or white flowers can appear at any time of the year, peaking during spring and summer.

The carpet geranium is very versatile – It’s a perfect groundcover between fynbos, and is just as pretty in bushveld gardens combined with grasses and aloes. It is effective at stabilising the soil on banks, and lovely when allowed to trail over retaining walls, hanging baskets or pots. Its softly textured leaves can be used to soften pathways, steps and large expanses of gravel, and if planted next to a body of water the plant will grow towards the water and even float on it.

Once established the carpet geranium is drought hardy, but to look at its best it needs moderate but regular watering during long dry spells. It thrives in full sun where it forms a tight carpet and flowers profusely, but it will take some shade.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow and propagate the Carpet Geranium, its value in wildlife gardens, and its health benefits.

Dymondia Image by K M from flickr

Silver Carpet, Carpet Daisy, Tapytmadeliefie (Dymondia margaretae)

This lovely ground cover is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and is not invasive, but ironically, in its native range in South Africa it is endangered and faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Its geographic range is estimated to be less than 5000 km², and populations are severely fragmented. Dymondia margaretae is endemic to the Southern Overberg which lies east of Cape Town beyond the Hottentots-Holland Mountains, and its range is basically from Agulhas to Potberg.  

Once established, its deep, succulent roots make it drought tolerant, so dymondia is highly recommended for regions where drought is a serious concern for gardeners. It is absolutely invaluable in coastal gardens, helping to limit wind soil erosion in bare patches, and to stabilise and retain soil on slopes.  It also grows very well inland.

In areas of high rainfall, unless the soil has excellent drainage, it should be grown on a generous slope or raised rockery to improve drainage. Along the coast, and in hot inland gardens, growth slows to a crawl in the heat of high summer, springing back to life when the days become cooler.

This little all-rounder is most obliging, tolerating heat and thriving in full sun or light shade, but be careful when watering plants growing in shade, as they  will die back in large unsightly patches if overwatered. Initially, growth is slow and regular watering is required until it is established.  To keep it looking at its best in the garden, try to water deeply about once a week during dry spells.

As a lawn substitute, dymondia is perfect for areas of the garden that receive light foot traffic, and in areas which receive more foot traffic you can protect a dymondia lawn by using paving stones or railway sleepers to create walking paths through these spaces. Gravel pathways can also be used in high traffic areas, and if edged with dymondia and other water-wise plants, can look quite stunning. Using pavers and gravel in this way in the garden is very sustainable and eco-friendly. Even simply cascading down a stone wall or over a hanging basket or pot, this little plant will attract attention, making it perfect for sunny courtyards and balconies.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to plant, propagate and care for Dymondia.

Limonium perezii. Image by JodyDellDavis from flickr

Sea Lavender (Limonium-perezii)

Limonium perezii is a tough evergreen perennial of coastal habitat and is native to the Canary Islands, off the west coast of Africa. It is a giant statice which will grow 50 to 60cm tall and it’s thick, oval to round leaves, like most Limonium species, form attractive low-growing mounds. The genus name comes from the Greek ‘leimon’, meaning meadow, in reference to the favoured habitat of these plants. Many species flourish in saline soils, and are therefore common near coasts and in salt marshes (or salt meadows), and also on saline, gypsum and alkaline soils in continental interiors.

Sea Lavender is probably the most well-known of the "everlastings" due to the dry, papery nature of its flowers. The individual violet-blue and white flowers are minute but make a stunning display because they are borne in billowing sprays, held well clear of the foliage on wiry branching stems.  Flowering can occur nearly all year round in favourable climates, but is especially prolific in summer.

Sea lavender is an outstanding low-maintenance perennial for water-wise gardens. Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season in order to establish a deep, extensive root system. Once established the plant is drought tolerant, but will look at its best if watered moderately during long dry summer spells.

It is a great accent plant among big-leaved tropical plants and is conveniently small enough for beach cottages and bungalows, or in courtyards, patios and sheltered front-entry gardens. Plant it along palisades, on dunes and embankments, in dry streambeds, or amongst landscape boulders and rocky outcroppings. It is most effective in massed beds, and if planted 40cm apart, makes a lovely edging plant or groundcover. It also mixes well with other annuals or perennials in containers.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Sea Lavender.

Jacobaea maritima. Picture by Philip Goddard from flickr

Dusty Miller, Silver Ragwort (Jacobaea maritima)

Dusty miller is a small perennial plant in the genus Jacobaea, in the family Asteraceae.  The genus has around 35 species of flowering biennial or perennial herbaceous plants. Many forms with distinctly different leaf shapes are available to gardeners, although all have that familiar silver-grey look about them.

Jacobaea maritima is native to western and central Mediterranean regions, where it occurs primarily on cliffs and rocky coastal sites, and more rarely inland. Like other Mediterranean plants Dusty Miller is drought hardy and heat-tolerant once established. In Mediterranean climates it is considered a water-wise garden plant because it handles drought by going dormant until the autumn rains arrive.

The dusty miller remains very popular with gardeners for its feathery, silvery-grey to almost white foliage that is exquisitely soft and fuzzy to the touch. The fuzzy growth that gives the plant its sheen also helps it tolerate periods of drought. Like other plants that hail from Mediterranean climates, dusty miller can get by with occasional watering once it is established. Guard against overwatering as it does not like soggy conditions.

Every award winning flower garden relies on the shapes and colours of surrounding plants to act as a foil for its blooms, and dusty miller fits the bill beautifully with its silvery-white foliage standing out as a neutral colour that can be used in almost any colour scheme. Even white flowers benefit from the glow of dusty miller's textured leaves. White flowers combined with silvery-white and grey foliage plants are essential in “moon gardens” as they stand out at night, making dusty miller a firm favourite to plant around outdoor entertainment areas.

It’s the ultimate team player and a great complimentary plant for other flowering plants in sunny sites, so use it as an accent plant in containers, as an edging plant or in borders and mixed plantings. In North America it has been recommended for its fire resistance and its salt tolerance in coastal gardens.

In cold winter regions the dusty miller is generally planted as a fast growing summer annual and is often sold in seedling trays. In one season it will generally grow around 30cm tall with an equal to slightly wider spread. However, in milder climates where it is grown as an evergreen perennial, mature plants can reach 60cm tall with an even wider spread.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Dusty Miller.

Scaevola aemula. Image by manfredrichter from flickr

Fairy Fan-flower, Common Fan-flower (Scaevola aemula)

Scaevola is a tender, short-lived evergreen perennial groundcover native to Australia. It can be found growing wild in coastal districts, and is common on coastal dunes and in dry forests; occurring mainly on sandy soils.  Many beautiful cultivars have been bred for the garden and they flower prolifically and almost continuously in warm climates; or until the first frost in colder regions. The flowers appear all along the stems and have a distinctive fan shape and are available in shades of purple, blue, mauve and white. The petal colour is combined with a white or more commonly a yellow centre, resulting in a bright eye-catching little flower.

The fan flower is drought hardy and highly tolerant of heat once its root system is established. Its fleshy leaves help store and manage moisture through dry spells. Young plants need regular watering to build strong roots before they can handle dry conditions. Plants require loose, fast-draining soil, as heavy, wet clay will cause root rot. Plants kept in pots or hanging baskets dry out faster and still need regular water during hot summer periods.

The fairy fan-flower will trail down beautifully if planted in hanging baskets and window boxes, and looks charming spilling over low walls or cascading down flights of stairs in the garden. It also makes a wonderful groundcover and edging plant, and it is especially pretty in cottage gardens and on the margins of woodland gardens, as well as in rockeries. Its trailing or prostrate habit combined with its long flowering period, makes this little plant a sure winner for all types of gardens.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Fan Flower.

Bulbinella Orange

Cat's Tail, Geelkatstert, Khomo-ya-Ntsukammele, Ibucu, intelezi (Bulbine frutescens)

The cat's tail is a spreading evergreen perennial succulent with short and fleshy quill-like grey-green leaves that spread continuously without becoming a nuisance. It grows quickly, and the pretty star-shaped yellow or orange flowers are carried on elegant long stems and have showy, fluffy stamens, opening progressively from the bottom of the spike upwards. Flowering is prolific in spring, but will be almost continuous during warm weather.

The cat’s tail grows well throughout South Africa because it tolerates heat, drought, frost, very strong winds, and all soil types. It makes a tough, water-wise groundcover for dry and cold regions, and is also perfect for coastal gardens because it tolerates poor soils and windy conditions. Once established the plant is very water-wise, tolerating drought easily. However, to keep it looking at its best in the garden, try to water moderately during long, hot and dry spells.

This plant is becoming more and more popular with gardeners and city landscapers alike as it will thrive and put on a good show in places where little else seems to grow. The cat’s tail is particularly useful to use in areas that are prone to neglect, like on slopes that are difficult to reach for usual maintenance, as the plant can basically be left do its own thing and still look lovely.  

It can be grown almost anywhere you have sunshine, and even if space is limited, you can easily grow a specimen or two in pots placed on a sunny windowsill or balcony.

Bulbine frutescens is considered a fire-retardant and fire-resistant succulent groundcover and perfect for firescaping your property.

Click here to find my articles and plant lists for firescaping your property.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Bulbine.

Tulbachia. Image by Robert Wallace from flickr

Wild Garlic, Wilde Knoffel, Isihaqa, utswelane (Tulbaghia)

The two most popular tulbaghias with gardeners are the Cape Wild Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) and Sweet Wild Garlic (Tulbaghia simmleri), because they have attractive flowers throughout the growing season and are proven low maintenance landscaping plants.

Tulbaghias grows very easily in most well-drained soils, and although these tough plants will tolerate long periods of drought, they thrive in the garden if watered moderately during prolonged hot, dry spells.

Wild garlic is a popular groundcover for large open areas on pavements, in complexes, office parks and shopping centre parking lots. It can also be used to good effect in rockeries, courtyard gardens and as an edging plant. Wild garlic is a good companion plant for roses and other shrubs prone to aphid attacks.

Tulbaghia is considered fire-resistant and is frequently recommended for firescaping gardens. 

Click here to find my articles and plant lists for firescaping your property.

Cape Wild Garlic

Cape Wild Garlic forms a clump of long, narrow, strap-like, slightly fleshy leaves which smell strongly of garlic when bruised. Clusters of up to 20 mauve, tubular flowers, are held above the leaves on a tall flower stalk, and appear over a long period from September to April. It thrives in hot, dry beds and requires only moderate watering during dry spells to keep it looking great, making it useful for those difficult hot corners of the garden.

Sweet Wild Garlic

Sweet Wild Garlic has grey-green leaves and the lavender-pink flowers are larger than Tulbaghia violacea. In its summer-rainfall habitat it will flower from spring to autumn, whereas at Kirstenbosch, with its winter-rainfall climate, it flowers during the winter months and into spring. The leaves are not as strong smelling as Tulbaghia violacea; smelling of onions if crushed. It prefers a lightly shaded position, or morning sun and afternoon shade.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Tulbachia.

This article also includes other interesting information on how it is used by indigenous people, its health benefits and culinary uses.

Gazania. Image by MrGajowy3 from flickr 

Gazania, Treasure Flower, Botterblom, ububendle, Ubendle (Gazania)

These herbaceous perennials are very adaptable and thrive in many habitats, tolerating drought, heat, salt laden air, strong winds, and even high pollution in cities, making them essential in water-wise and low maintenance gardens. These natives of southern Africa thrive in poor, sandy, well-drained soils and full sun, requiring very little water once their root systems are established. Young plants need regular moisture for the first 4 to 6 weeks to build strong roots. Established plants only need deep watering every week or two during peak summer heat to look at their best. Heavy, wet, or rich clay soils will cause root rot.

There are a number of Gazania subspecies, cultivars, and hybrids available, each with its own unique growth habit, with both trailing and clump forming varieties. Hybrids are available in a choice of colours ranging from bronze to red, orange, pink, yellow, cream and white. The large, satiny flowers can be of a single colour or in graded shades; and the bases of the petals often feature spots, dots or darker areas with distinctive contrasting stripes and mottling. In warm regions most varieties will produce flowers all summer, or even year round.

Although gazanias are drought hardy and don’t like being overwatered, in the garden the plants respond well when watered judiciously during dry spells. They require very little maintenance, and make fantastic garden plants. The best floral displays are achieved by planting in massed displays of a single variety as a groundcover or border; or by using several species of gazania together. The trailing varieties are particularly good in pots, hanging baskets and window boxes.

(Gazania var rigens) is not known in the wild, but only from cultivated plants and is a parent of many of the gazanias sold today. It is a tender perennial that spreads along the ground, and has narrow, variably-shaped, silvery-green leaves. The flowers of this species are orange with orange-brown disks. Hybrid cultivars come in a great variety of colours, including shades of yellow, orange, bronze or white, often with contrasting colours at the bases, forming a ring around the central disk. 

(Gazania krebsiana) must be one of Namaqualand's most striking perennials and is one of the parent plants for the many gazania hybrids that are sold today. This gazania is extremely showy with its large brightly coloured flowers. The plant spreads along the ground and when many individual plants growing together are in full bloom their flowers carpet the veldt in magnificent dark red to orange hues. This gazania has very distinctive foliage and mature leaves are rough to the touch, dark shiny green on the upper side and woolly white underneath.

Evergreen groundcovers such as Gazanias can slow down a wild fire, and are renowned for their vigorous growth, making them an excellent groundcover to prevent soil erosion on slopes.

Click here to find my articles and plant lists for firescaping your property.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Gazanias.

Scabiosa. Image by Marc Pascual from Pixabay

Pincushion flower, bitterbos, selomi, mamokhale, moholungoane, isilawu esikhulu, makgha, ibheka (Scabiosa)

Various wild Scabiosa species grow across all nine provinces of South Africa. The most widespread species, Scabiosa columbaria, thrives in open grasslands, rocky mountain slopes, and bushveld habitats nationwide.

Pincushion flowers are water-wise garden plants, and moderately drought-tolerant once established, blooming best with steady, but moderate moisture. They dislike overwatering and prefer deep, occasional watering rather than frequent light drinks. Young plants require regular watering during their first year to build strong roots.

The lightly fragrant flowers start opening in spring and continue flowering, off and on, until autumn, flitting in the breeze on long, gracefully bending stems, and when fully open, the clusters of tiny flowers look rather like little cushions with pins sticking out, hence their common name. Plant breeders have developed fantastic garden hybrids which are nice and compact, and which bloom even more profusely. They come in lovely pastel shades of lilac, lavender-blue, white and pink, and after flowering, the heads turn into tight, bristly balls, looking rather like furry sea urchins, and falling apart as the seeds ripen.

The soft pastel shades of the flowers, can be added to almost any colour scheme in the garden, and this classic perennial is just at home in a cottage garden as it is in ultra-modern settings. It makes a wonderful filler plant for perennial borders, and rock and gravel gardens, and is stunning when planted together with grasses and other perennials for a wild meadow look. Pincushion flowers are a must-have for cutting gardens, and interspersed amongst low-growing roses they really shine.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Scabiosa.

The article also includes information on: Scabiosa columbaria, Scabiosa Africana, and Scabiosa incisa.

Euphorbia hypericifoli. Image by enbodenumer from flickr

Garden Spurge (Euphorbia hypericifolia)

Euphorbias make wonderful low maintenance, water-wise plants, and their frothy drifts of small white flowers, interspersed amongst their olive green leaves, belie their delicate looks with their hardy temperaments. These low maintenance and drought tolerant plants are sensitive to overwatering which can cause rotting. They perform best in dry to medium moisture and moderately fertile, sharply drained soils. Water regularly until the plant is acclimatised to its new home, but after that, allow the plant to dry out before watering again.

This euphorbia blooms pretty much continually in summer and needs no deadheading. Because of the popularity of this plant, it seems exciting new introductions are being brought out every year; all of which have a low, mounding and spreading growth habit.

'Euphoric White' and 'Glitz' are ideal for containers, hanging baskets and borders. 'Marginata' grows 90cm tall and has white on green foliage. 'Diamond Frost' has slender green leaves and white flowers. 'Diamond Fizz produces copious floral bracts, creating the illusion of double flowers. 'Breathless' is compact and produces a mist of white or pink tinged flowers. 'Breathless Blush' is the first dark-foliaged euphorbia with red-flushed leaves and pink-flushed flowers. 'Breathless White' is a sturdy plant and shows off masses of crystal white blooms.

These euphorbias make wonderful low maintenance, water-wise plants. They look good in borders and along the edges of walkways, planted singly or intermingled with large leaved plants. They are glorious in hanging baskets and containers, with their delicate branches spreading and spilling over edges and between larger leaved companion plants. Try tucking them into rock wall pockets and any nook and cranny in the garden, as they are the perfect companions to almost all other water-wise garden plants. 

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Euphorbia.

Convolvulus sabatius Picture courtesy Plant Right on flickr

Ground Morning Glory, African Bindweed (Convolvulus sabatius)

Ground morning glory is native to Algeria and Morocco, but also has populations in Spain and Italy. It is commonly found growing on calcareous rocks in full sun along the coastline. The Ground Morning-glory is not at all invasive, even though it belongs to the same family (Convolvulaceae) as the invasive Common Morning-glory (Ipomea purpurea). Even in countries like Australia which is very strict about invasive plants, the ground morning glory remains a very popular groundcover, as it thrives in the harsh climate there, which is similar to South Africa’s in many ways.

The ground morning glory does not wander or set seed, rather, this scrambling evergreen perennial stays in one place, flooding the ground around it with pools of delicately creased lilac-blue flowers that almost smother the lovely grey-green leaves that are soft to the touch. The plants bloom for a very long time from spring, all through summer and into autumn, and in warmer frost free regions blooming can occur all year round.  This groundcover has a dense and compact form, and each year the clump will grow stronger and bigger, maturing after about two years to a height of about 20cm and a spread of approximately 50-60cm or more, depending on climate and rainfall.

This exceptional ground cover with its spreading roots makes it ideal to retain the soil on steep banks. It is also a lovely filler plant to cover gaps between other plants, and is most impressive if allowed to scramble over low walls, or to tumble down the sides of steps made with sleepers or rocks. Spilling over the edges of containers and hanging baskets on terraces and balconies, it can put on a spectacular display.

The ground morning glory is one of the most versatile and hard-working plants around. It is great for low maintenance areas and because it is water-wise is recommended for xeriscaping. Water young plants regularly until they are well established, but once established, its strong roots make this plant very tolerant of dry conditions. To keep it looking at its best in the garden, try to water moderately during long and hot, dry spells.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for the Ground Morning-glory.

Gaillardia. Image by Сергей Шабанов from Pixabay

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia X grandiflora)

Blanket flowers are stalwarts of the summer garden and appreciated by seasoned gardeners around the world for their resilience, extremely long blooming season, and richly coloured daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, and brown, atop spreading mounds of narrow, fuzzy, grey-green leaves.

Wild blanket flowers are found all across North America and southern Canada, as well as Mexico; and there are about 12 species. In its wild state, the plant thrives in some of the harshest soils and climatic conditions possible, yet still produces some of the most vibrant blossoms. Plant breeders quickly saw their blooming potential and various species were selected for crossbreeding, resulting in the outstanding and beautiful garden hybrid, Gaillardia X grandiflora, which is the parent of most of the modern blanket flowers we grow in our gardens today.

These new cultivars are compact and strongly-branched, with large single or double flowers which, unlike the wild species which bloom mainly from mid-summer and into autumn, these newer cultivars also produce flowers in spring and early summer, with a magnificent flush from mid-summer on.

If blanket flowers are planted in groups in the garden their blooming impact becomes even more remarkable. The bold flowers blend especially well with soft textured leaves like Cosmos, and for an informal modern look they are great mixed with other airy looking plants like ornamental grasses. Blanket flowers are essential in meadow gardens, cutting gardens, and rockeries. Use them in flower borders or simply as fillers in those difficult hot spots. Even if you have a tiny garden, or perhaps a sunny balcony, a single potted specimen will brighten up any dull spot for months on end.

Established plants are heat and drought tolerant, making them ideal for hot and dry parts of the country, but in these regions they will perform best in the garden if they can be watered moderately during prolonged dry spells. Blanket flowers are also low-maintenance - what more could the modern eco-conscious gardener ask for - so do your garden a favour this summer and invest in a few blanket flowers!

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Gaillardia.

This article also includes astonishing named cultivars you can keep an eye out for.

Echinacea. Image by Daniela Britti from Pixabay

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Coneflowers are beautiful perennial daisies native to vast areas of central and eastern USA. Since they are so widely spread across the country, and occur in such diverse climates and vegetation, from rocky plains, to open woods, thickets and prairies; featuring well-drained limestone, sand, clay, and loam soils, makes this daisy very adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions. And, although coneflowers thrive in warm, sunny locations with good summer rainfall, they will also tolerate drought, handle humidity, and even withstand snow. 

Gardeners have grown coneflowers for hundreds of years because they are reliable perennials which, once established in the garden will continue to provide colour for many years, blooming every season for a long period from mid-summer to autumn. Like all plants in the daisy family, they bloom profusely and each flower is born singly on a sturdy stem, making coneflowers great to pick for the vase.  Their large blooms are quite bold and distinctive with their swept-back petals and large, coppery-orange central cones. The hairy, dark green leaves are lance-shaped and coarsely-toothed

Bear in mind, that although coneflowers are notorious for their ability to withstand periods of drought, as their thick roots penetrate deeply into the soil and store water, they survive severe drought conditions by going dormant, and will only sprout again once the rains return. To keep your plants healthy and blooming in the garden, water them moderately during long dry spells, but allow the soil to dry out before really soaking your plants again. Young plants should be watered regularly until they are established. If you are growing them in an area where humidity tends to be high, allowing the soil to dry out in between watering is crucial.

Plant breeders have taken this humble daisy to greater heights, developing beautiful garden varieties that are sturdy and compact, and which bloom for even longer. Fortunately they are just as heat and drought tolerant as their original parents. New cultivars come in a range of exciting new colours like white, pink and rose-pink, a range of sunset colours, and a lovely deep purple-pink.

When contemplating what to plant with coneflowers, consider other flowering plants as well as foliage superstars to offer dimension, as well as tones and textures that will enhance their stoic beauty. Companions should have similar cultural requirements, and you can go with a wild grassland look using likeminded plants, or you can go in the opposite direction and plant coneflowers in a cottage garden where they mingle with daisies and roses. Such is the versatility of coneflowers!

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Coneflowers.

This article also includes the Health Benefits of Echinacea, How to Make Echinacea Cream at Home, and striking named varieties you can keep an eye out for.

Rudbeckia. Image by Dominik Rheinheimer from Pixabay

Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

The black-eyed Susan is very drought-tolerant once it is established. In the garden it performs best with occasional deep watering. It requires fast-draining soil and is susceptible to root rot in wet, poorly drained soils like clay.

Rudbeckia belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy) family and all 25 species are native to North America. They have now naturalized throughout most of the United States and can be seen growing in prairies, dry fields, in open woodlands, along road shoulders and in disturbed areas, from Canada to Mexico. The species include annuals, perennials and biennials, and today's gardeners have many outstanding Rudbeckia hirta cultivars to choose from.

The plants have coarse-textured, hairy green leaves, and their daisy-like flowers come in single, semi-double and fully-double forms; and in a range of colours from lemon-yellow to gold, chestnut, mahogany, and bronze, as well as multi-coloured blooms. Most species bloom from midsummer through autumn, and are ideal for cutting. The flowering stems can reach 90cm to 1m tall, followed in late autumn by large cone-heads full of seeds.

'Indian Summer'

This is an All-America Selections (AAS) winner from 1995, producing an abundance of golden-yellow blooms 15-20cm across. It can be planted singly or in pots, but is superb for planting in drifts to create informal borders, or to grow along fences.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Rudbeckia.

Arctotis. Image by K M from flickr

Renoster arctotis, putswa-pududu, ubushwa, renostergousblom, coast arctotis, kusgousblom (Arctotis)

Arctotis has many names in South Africa as it has about 63 species occurring from the southernmost tip of South Africa to Angola. Most of the species occur in the Western and Eastern Cape, and Namaqualand, but Arctotis species are also represented in all the other provinces.

Many arctotis species make excellent garden plants and they are becoming more and more popular all over the world for their ease of growth and abundance of flowers through late winter, spring or summer, depending on the species chosen. Every year there are also more beautiful hybrids and selections available to gardeners, in a variety of forms, from clumping to spreading or trailing, and the flowers now come in shades of white, bright and light yellow, orange, red, pink, or mauve.

Arctotis are perfect for difficult seaside gardens and a great choice for water-wise landscapes and rock gardens. In large areas they make a glorious massed display or groundcover, and the plants will quickly stabilise the soil on steep banks. Allow them to spill over low retaining walls or down the sides of steps, and if planted into pots and window boxes they will brighten up sunny courtyards and patios.

Although water-wise, in very hot and dry regions they will look at their best if they can be watered moderately.

Renoster arctotis, renostergousblom, tonteldoekblom (Arctotis acaulis)

The renoster arctotis is an easy to grow perennial, but is often grown as a fast maturing annual. Its hairy leaves are a beautiful silver-grey and its dazzling display of flowers appear from late winter and spring to early summer (July to November), peaking in spring (August to October). In mild climates it can bloom for most of the year. Fabulous hybrids are available, and the large, brightly coloured daisy flowers all have dark centres to show off the bright petals, which come in all shades of orange, yellow and red, as well as plum, pink and cream. There is also often an attractive black spot, or a black or bright yellow band at the base of the florets.

At Kirstenbosch seeds are sown in April to May to start flowering in late winter to spring and early summer (July to November), peaking in spring. In cold climates which experience frost, the seeds are sown in early spring for a summer display. Seed can be sown directly into prepared beds in full sun

Botterblom, putswa-pududu, ubushwa (Arctotis arctotoides)

The botterblom is a fast growing groundcover with long, light green leaves with wavy edges, and lovely felted, white undersides. The single butter-yellow flowers are borne on long stems almost all year round, peaking in winter (June to August), and complementing the many aloes which bloom at the same time. It is widespread throughout the summer rainfall areas of South Africa and Lesotho, where it favours disturbed areas like the verges of roads.

Silver arctotis, witgousblom, (Arctotis stoechadifolia)

The silver arctotis is a very vigorous sprawling perennial which hugs the ground closely and roots continuously as it spreads. The white felted leaves are long and narrow with slightly toothed or serrated edges, providing a striking silver-grey carpet. The masses of showy flowers appear from spring to summer (September to December), standing on upright shoots about 35cm tall. They are a creamy light to bright yellow, marked with maroon underneath, and the centre of the flower is black. The stems and leaves are slightly sticky with a very strong bitter-sweet smell when touched.

It is very adaptable and manages to thrive in harsh, sandy, coastal conditions, with hot dry summers, strong winds, salt spray, and low winter rainfall (500mm or less in this area). The trailing arctotis performs well in almost any soil with good drainage, is resistant to salt-laden wind, and is water-wise. It must be planted in full sun and is adapted to the Mediterranean climate of the Cape, where it can survive with very little water in summer.

In the winter rainfall regions seeds should be sown in seedling trays during autumn and planted into small pots to be grown on. Plant out as soon as they are big enough to handle. In cold gardens, sow in spring after all danger of frost is over.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Renoster arctotis

Penstemon. Image by Gerard Stolk from flickr

Penstemons

Penstemons are indispensable perennials if you want colour in xeriscape and water-wise gardens, and many of the native North American species even grow well in desert-like climates. Garden hybrids are not as drought tolerant as the native species, and to keep them looking at their best in the garden they may require moderate watering during prolonged hot and dry spells. Ideally, during the growing season the plants’ crowns should remain dry while the roots should have access to a small but steady supply of moisture.

In early summer, right after your spring bloomers have faded, penstemons will spring up and quickly fill your garden with their beautiful spires of foxglove-like flowers which come in hues to suit every colour palette, ranging from white to soft pinks, through salmon and peach to deep rose, lavender to dark purple, and also in bold fiery reds and electrifying blues. Flowering will continue sporadically throughout summer and into autumn, and in coastal gardens the flowers can appear all year round, making penstemons a 'must have' for hassle free gardens.

The various cultivars also come in many shapes and sizes, from dwarf varieties which you can tuck into rock gardens, to larger plants that bring colour and movement to the back of the flower border. The shape and colour of the leaves also varies depending on the cultivar, and can be oval, lance-shaped or needle-like, with colours ranging from green or blue-green, to a delightful deep purple.

All cut flower gardens need a couple of penstemons, and for tiny gardens the dwarf varieties are quite delightful and easy to grow in pots. Planted close to fruit trees or vegetable gardens they will not only attract essential pollinators, but will also greatly beautify the area.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Penstemons.

Salvia farinacea

Salvias

Salvias do well in most of our growing regions and perform extremely well in hot gardens. Although they are drought tolerant, to look at their best they should be watered moderately during long hot and dry spells. In regions which experience extremely hot weather, the plants will appreciate some shade during the hottest time of the day.

There are hundreds of different types of salvias available to gardeners, both tall and dwarf varieties, and they all have beautiful tall flower spikes, and attractive green or grey-green leaves which are often aromatic. Salvias will flower almost all summer and autumn, and new selections are valued for their extended blooming season, and the spires of dense or loose flowers now come in shades of red and pink, or bright blue, violet, cream and white.

Although the summer flowering annual Red Salvia (Salvia splendens) is well known and loved by gardeners, perennial salvias have become mainstays of the summer garden, providing season long colour at very little expense.

The taller varieties of sage will add accent to flowerbeds and the dwarfs make excellent border plants and work well in containers, mixed with other summer flowering plants.

Mexican Bush Sage, Velvet Sage (Salvia leucantha)

This sage thrives in hot and dry Mediterranean and subtropical gardens and tolerates periods of drought with ease.  It is a spreading shrub with soft, narrow, wrinkled leaves that are pale green on top and woolly and silver-white underneath. In spring, long sprays of white flowers appear, contrasting beautifully with the velvety purple calyces. This salvia blooms abundantly in spring, intermittently in summer, and then again with renewed vigour in autumn, producing long sprays of white flowers that contrast beautifully with the velvety purple calyces.

Autumn Sage, Cherry Sage (Salvia greggii hybrids)

Contrary to its common name, autumn sage blooms throughout summer and autumn, until the first frosts. Flower size and colour range have been enhanced by breeding, resulting in cultivars which come in many shades of scarlet, as well as rose, pink, salmon, lavender, pale yellow, apricot, violet and white. Autumn sage is a popular water-wise plant for hot, dry areas because it blooms for so long, and is delightful to use as a small, ornamental, flowering shrub in a perennial bed or even as a low hedge.

Mealy Blue Sage, Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea)

Salvia farinacea is a much branched perennial herb native to Mexico, New Mexico and Texas. There are several garden cultivars that differ in size and flower colour. Cultivars can be as small as 30cm or up to 1.2m tall.

'Victoria' is a small evergreen perennial with long green leaves, which may, or may not have teeth. It produces showy deep blue flowers on 50 to 60cm tall spikes. This salvia will bloom from spring until autumn if the dying flowers are trimmed off regularly.

Mystic 'Spires Blue' is a small evergreen perennial with a compact, upright habit, growing up to 40cm tall. It blooms from spring all the way through to autumn; and the dark grey-green leaves are a perfect foil for the showy purple-blue flowers.

Anise Sage 'Black and Blue' (Salvia guaranitica)

This sage has an open habit, growing about 1 to 1.5m tall and can spread as wide. The common name ‘anise sage’ refers to the sweetly scented leaves, which release their aroma with even the slightest touch. The startlingly bright, cobalt-blue flower spikes are framed by black calyces and appear from mid-summer and continue deep into autumn. This salvia is a wonderful background plant, creating a brilliant display in landscapes and flower borders.

Pineapple Sage, Pynappelsalie (Salvia elegans)

When it is in full bloom in late summer, this sage is simply spectacular with its masses of tubular, blood red flower spikes that contrast perfectly against the bright green leaves. The leaves have a wonderful fresh pineapple scent when crushed. Mass plantings of Pineapple Sage will create a striking splash of colour, but even single specimens look great in the shrub or perennial border.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Salvias.

Day Lily. Image by philsimaging from Pixabay

Daylilies (Hemerocallis)

Daylilies are among the easiest plants to grow, requiring minimal care and being remarkably disease resistant. Their natural habitat is very vast and covers varying climatic conditions, so there are varieties available that will thrive in virtually any climate. Daylilies vary in height from 40cm to over 1m tall, and the various species can be either; evergreen, semi-evergreen, or dormant, depending on the area where they are grown.

These popular perennial plants have been extensively hybridised, and their colour variation is astounding, covering cream and thousands of shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, lavender, maroon, purple, and combinations thereof. Flower shapes and sizes also vary enormously from small single blooms and miniatures to large doubles. Daylilies peak blooming time in South Africa is from November to mid-January but the length of the bloom period varies greatly from one variety to another.

New hybrids have been bred to extend the blooming season and start flowering very early and continue through summer. Older strains are generally divided into early, midseason, and late flowering varieties. Choose your varieties carefully and you can have flowers all summer. Day lilies are perfect for mass plantings and perennial borders, and are also just as beautiful if planted singly in a pot.

Once their root systems are established, daylilies and considered reliable, drought-tolerant and water-wise. Their fleshy, tuberous roots store moisture and nutrients well, allowing them to survive long dry spells. However during their peak flowering season in summer, they perform best with regular watering. Established plants require very little extra water, coping well with dry periods, though heavy drought conditions will reduce flowering. New plants need regular moisture for the first few weeks until the root system takes hold.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Daylilies.

Kniphofia praecox. Image by yewchan from flickr

Red Hot Pokers (Kniphofia)

Pokers are generally considered to be water-wise and drought-tolerant once their roots grow deep into the ground. However, their water needs can vary slightly depending on the specific variety. While many common garden types love dry sun, some indigenous species naturally grow near damp marshlands, streams, or vleis and prefer extra moisture. If watered well pokers will grow quickly, however they can also be very drought hardy, and during prolonged drought when they cannot be watered in the garden, they will become completely dormant and appear to have disappeared, only to reappear again once the rains return.

A few species are deciduous but most are evergreen and common at higher elevations, although some can be found near the coast.  The Herbaceous species go dormant in winter and have narrow, grass-like leaves, varying in length from 10cm to 1m long, while the evergreen species have broader, strap-shaped foliage up to 1.5m long.

There are autumn and winter, and spring and summer flowering species, which help to extend the season in the garden. The flower heads consist of clusters of tubular flowers, arranged in inflorescences that vary from cylindrical and elongated, to more compact ball shapes. Most are red and bright orange when immature, and the flowers of some species change to bright yellow or even white as they mature, giving that striking bicolour effect.

Pokers are very versatile and just as effective in tropical looking and ultra-modern designs as they do planted between aloes in grassland gardens. The larger species are wonderful architectural plants in the garden, and because they form dense clumps, they look spectacular in mass plantings.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Pokers.

Agapanthus. Image courtesy Kew Gardens on flickr

Agapanthus

Our indigenous Agapanthus is extremely water-wise and drought-hardy once the plants are established. Thanks to their fleshy, succulent root systems that stores moisture, they can thrive on rainfall alone and only need the occasional deep soaking during extended dry periods to look at their best. However, under severe drought conditions the plant will go totally dormant, but will shoot again when the rains return. Potted specimens will need more frequent watering then those growing in the ground.

A great many breeding programmes have given rise to a wide variety of exciting dwarf, medium, and taller growing Agapanthus. The colours are also quite remarkable nowadays and come in all shades, including the well-known blue-purple hues, white, and even pink and bi-colour varieties.

If you want long-flowering perennials which are water-wise, can take the heat, and grow in full sun or semi-shade, Agapanthus is your plant. In the garden Agapanthus fit into any colour scheme, the white ones will stand out in a twilight garden, and the blue shades give depth to a pastel flower border. They are most effective if planted in massed displays, and the dwarf varieties make excellent container plants.

When it comes to fire breaks, Agapanthus remains one of the most popular plants, as their foliage slows down a fire, and their underground roots and tubers survive fires and help prevent the soil from being blown or washed away when there is little other vegetation around after a fire. And as soon as the rains return they will re-sprout. In Australia, farmers have used Agapanthus as fire breaks for over one hundred years, and they have proved their resilience, sparing many farms and homes from wildfires. Agapanthus can be used in all the garden zones, but is highly recommended for the buffer zone.

Click here to find my articles and plant lists for firescaping your property.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Agapanthus.

This article also includes information on the various evergreen and deciduous species, and its traditional uses in SA.

Dietes grandiflora

Wild Iris (Dietes)

Due to their reliability and hardiness our indigenous Dietes have become popular landscaping plants. They are low maintenance, water-wise, and are usually disease-free, making them great for busy gardeners.

These versatile plants will grow in full sun or semi-shade and can be grown in moist boggy soils as well as dry well-drained ones. Once established Dietes are very drought tolerant but respond well to moderate watering during extended dry spells. Give them a good start by incorporating plenty of compost into the beds and water regularly until the plants are well established.

Because they grow quickly Dietes are ideal to use in areas that need to be established quickly, and are perfect to stabilise the soil on slopes. Because of their long flowering season they are perfect to plant as a groundcover in large garden beds or under trees. Although the wild iris does not flower well in very shady conditions, it is nevertheless one of the few plants that can satisfactorily grow under trees in spite of tree root competition.

In small gardens individual plants can be used as accents in mixed borders, or in pairs at either side of a bench, the entrance to a garden pathway, or at the top of a flight of stairs. Dietes grow easily in pots, but remember that they spread quickly and will therefore need a reasonably large container.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Dietes.

This article also includes information on the Large Wild Iris, Groot Wilde-Iris, Isiqungasehlati (Dietes grandiflora), Yellow Wild Iris, Peacock Flower, Uintjie, Poublom (Dietes 'Bicolor'), and the Wood Iris, indawo-yehlathi, isiqiki-sikatokoloshe, isishuphe somfula (Dietes iridioides)

Gaura. Image by Sonja Kalee from Pixabay

Butterfly Gaura (Gaura hybrids)

Gauras are very hardy herbaceous perennials that will come up again and again each season. They have a long tap root, and once established the plants can survive lengthy periods of drought. For best results in the garden follow a regular watering schedule to establish a deep, extensive root system; thereafter they will need only occasional watering during long hot and dry spells.

The delicate flowers of gaura are borne on long wiry stems which move in even the slightest breeze and could be mistaken for a cloud of butterflies.  Besides the very popular white (Gaura  lindheimeri) a number of pink cultivars like 'Siskyou Pink', 'Cherry Brandy' and 'Crimson Butterflies' have been developed. Hybrids like 'Ballerina' and 'Blaze' are compact with shorter flower stems, making them more suitable for small gardens and pot culture. Flower colours range from white to light and dark pink and some varieties have beautiful red or yellow foliage. These vigorous, easy to grow, trouble-free plants will bloom all spring and summer, until the first frosts.

Gauras are excellent cut flowers and are generally planted to add a touch of lightness to a mixed perennial border. Their wild, slightly unkempt look mixes well with grasses and natural style plantings and their lax growth habit makes them particularly useful for filling in gaps in the border and linking other planting groups together. This also makes them a good choice for meadow, cottage and rock gardens. They look fantastic planted in large drifts, but also make a statement if planted singly, or in a pot.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Gauras.

Euryops pectinatus. Image by Cerlin Ng from flickr

Wild Daisy Bush (Euryops)

Euryops species are widespread in southern Africa, with 30 occurring in fynbos.  Depending on the species grown, wild daisy bushes produce starry sunshine yellow blooms throughout the seasons, adding a bight splash of yellow to your garden. Their hardiness, ease of growth, and long flowering season has made them popular garden plants around the world. Young plants need regular watering to grow roots, but mature plants hate wet, soggy roots and are drought-resistant.

Euryops are excellent pioneer species and one of the first plants to re-establish themselves after a fire. In the winter rainfall regions they make great water-wise plants and are lovely planted in fynbos gardens. The plants look good planted in groups of three and are great filler plants for gardens and perennial or mixed shrub borders. They also grow easily in pots.

The Golden Daisy, Wolharpuisbos (Euryops pectinatus)

In the wild the golden daisy can be found growing on the rocky sandstone slopes of the south-western Cape. It has silvery-grey leaves and bright yellow daisy flowers appear almost all year round, but are especially prolific in spring.

Giant Resinbush, Grootharpuisbos (Euryops speciosissimus)

This euryops is also called the Clanwilliam euryops, and can be found growing in dry fynbos on rocky sandstone slopes and in valleys, in the Vanrhynsdorp, Clanwilliam, Piketberg and Tulbagh districts. The Latin word 'speciosissimus' means very spectacular, or the showiest of all; and when this euryops is in full bloom, you can understand why it was given this name. Its large, deeply cupped yellow flowers are born on stout stems, and are perfectly foiled by the finely divided, soft green leaves. Flowering is mainly from August to November but may start in July and continue into January.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Euryops.

This article also includes Euryops species that flower in winter and spring.

 Lavender. Image by Hans from Pixabay

Lavender, Lavandin (Lavandula)

Lavandula is a genus of 47 known species of perennial flowering plants in the sage family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and primarily found across the drier, warmer regions of the Mediterranean, with an affinity for maritime breezes.

Lavender is cultivated not only for the heady fragrance and beauty of its blooms, but also for its attractive evergreen leaves, and its multitude of uses in the garden and home. The popularity of lavender with gardeners just never seems to wane, and growers continue to produce enticing new garden hybrids in all shades of purple, violet, lavender, blue, and white.

Lavandin or Fern Leaf Lavender is still part of the ‘Lavandula family’, but is a naturally occurring hybrid, and there are many garden hybrids of this type of lavender. These elegantly tall fern-leaf lavenders even look distinctively different to other garden lavenders, creating a wild, airy feel in a garden with their green to grey, deeply lobed fern-like leaves that give the plants a soft, lacy appearance. Unlike Lavender, Lavandin contains natural camphor and a notably stronger scent.

Fern-leaf lavenders are unique in that they will tolerate heat and humidity, and although they love the blazing sun, they will also grow in light shade, making them perfect for flower borders, beds, and containers.

English Lavender, True Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

True lavender is compact and produces lovely narrow, grey to green leaves, and richly scented purple-blue flowers all year round, if it is clipped regularly.

'Hidcote Blue' Hidcote blue is a gorgeous free flowering variety of English lavender producing dark lavender-blue flower spikes. It is ideal for borders, pots, and large hanging baskets.

‘Ellagance’

Ellagance is another exciting range which comes in four delightful colours, pink, purple, light-blue, and pure white. The fine foliage is silver-green and the plants are small and compact, making them ideal for borders, pots and large hanging baskets.

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

There are very many garden hybrids of Spanish lavender which vary slightly in height, and they generally have soft grey-green foliage that is very aromatic. The abundantly produced, fragrant flower heads are densely cylindrical, tapering to a blunt tip, and crowned by four long bracts, which give the flowers a very distinctive appearance. Hybrids are available in vibrant shades of plum, purple, pink, and white.

This lavender typically begins budding in the cooler winter months (around July) and blooms heavily through spring, with a peak flowering period from August to November. If the dead flower stems are removed regularly the newer varieties will give another flush in summer.

French Lavender, Toothed Lavender (Lavandula dentata)

French lavender has attractive green to grey leaves which are distinctly serrated and the flower spikes are a lovely shade of dusty-mauve. It is a wonderful ornamental shrub and makes a neat hedge. It also works well in containers and is suitable for small gardens.

‘Royal Crown’

This lavender is a compact shrub with narrow, dark green leaves with finely toothed margins, and some varieties have grey-green leaves. The long flower stalks are topped by pale purple bracts, and if sheared regularly will flower all year round. This lavender is commonly used for hedges and borders, as does well in pots.

Candicans French Lavender (Lavandula dentata var. Candicans)

This lavender has lovely soft, silvery-grey, toothed leaves, and it produces its attractive mauve-blue flower spikes almost throughout the year, and ‘Candicans x Pure Harmony’ is a popular new variety with white flowers. The foliage colour makes it a wonderful contrast plant in the flower border.

Butterfly Lavender, French Lavender (Lavandula pedunculata)

There are several varieties of this unusual lavender which are a form of French lavender. They were bred in Australia, and two of the best performers: ‘Lace’ and ‘Ruffles’ are absolute winners because they take heat and humidity, and are also drought tolerant. These garden hybrids are compact, and flowering begins in winter and continues into spring and summer.

'Lace' features deep purple flower spikes topped with light purple or mauve petals and white bracts. 'Ruffles' is famous for its vibrant, dual-tone shades and distinctly rippled "bunny ear" top petals.

Dutch Lavender (Lavandula x allardii)

Dutch lavender is very tough and resistant to drought, wind, storms, hail and floods, as well as heat. It has a rich camphor smell and grows quite large and vigorously, yet forming a compact bush with broad, grey-green leaves, which can be scallop-edged or smooth.  Although Dutch lavender is not a prolific flowerer and only flowers sporadically, because it lives for a long time, and responds well to regular clipping, it remains the preferred variety for hedging in large gardens. Lavandula x allardii ‘African Pride’ is a South African hybrid with the same qualities.

Margaret Robert’s Lavender (Lavandula x intermedia Margaret Robert’s)

Margaret Robert’s lavender is a large upright variety of lavandin which is quite alluring with its narrow grey leaves and its long-stemmed dark blue flower spikes, creating a wonderful airy, fine-textured effect, and appearing sporadically throughout the year. It is fast growing and because of its large size it makes a real statement in a large container, or if planted in large groups.

Fern-leaf Lavender, Lace Lavender, Jagged Lavender (Lavandula pinnata)

This heat tolerant lavendin is native to southern Madeira and the Canary Islands, and has a lovely open habit. It is sometimes called “jagged lavender” because of its uniquely broad, fern-like, green-grey leaves. The branched flower stems will grow tall before the little flower buds unfurl their whorled flower heads to put on a spectacular show of light purple-blue blossoms. Flowering starts in spring and continues into mid-summer, when the plants take a short break, before resuming again in late summer.

Fern-leaf Lavender, Egyptian Lavender, Lavendin (Lavandula multifida)

This lavendin is native of the southern regions of the Mediterranean, including Iberia, Sicily and the Canary Islands has trident or winged flower spikes, which are a lovely bright, but light blue. It starts blooming in late spring and continues almost continuously. The stems are grey and woolly, and the soft, pale grey-green foliage has a fern-like in appearance.

Grosso Lavender, Fat Lavender (Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’)

This lavendin makes a tidy mound of silvery-green leaves, and although it is sturdy and fairly low growing, the flower spikes are taller, standing well above the foliage. They are up to 15cm long, hence the common name “fat lavender,” and a showy light to dark purple, and extremely fragrant. There is also a white variety to choose from. This lavender flowers in spring and early summer and is perfect for smaller gardens and containers.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for the various lavenders.

This article also includes lots of other interesting information like its health benefits, how to use lavender in the kitchen and how to make an effective and inexpensive DIY insecticide spray, and a household freshener and cleaning agent.

Rosemary. Image by Hans from Pixabay

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)

Rosemary is a woody, evergreen perennial shrub that originated in the southern European countries around the Mediterranean Sea and derives its name from the Latin words Ros meaning "dew", and Marinu meaning "sea"; translating into "Dew of the Sea". This name was chosen because in many of the locations where it grows wild, it needs no extra water to live on, surviving only on the humidity carried in by the sea breeze and natural rainfall. Therefore, in the garden Rosemary will not tolerate water-logged soil.

There are many forms of Rosemary, from prostrate groundcovers and trailing varieties, to upright forms which can reach 1.5m to 2m tall if left un-pruned. It is most attractive if allowed to grow into a large shrub in the garden, but is easily pruned into shapes and used for topiary. It also makes a lovely low formal or informal hedging plant or screen.

Rosemary is a member of the mint family, with fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves, and pretty white, pink, purple, lilac or blue flowers; which appear in spring and sporadically throughout the summer in warm climates.

'Mountain Mist' is a prostrate, creeping form that grows 50cm tall and has light blue flowers.

'Irene' is a low-growing, prostrate variety +-50cm tall with dark blue flowers.

'Severn Sea' is a low-growing variety +-50cm tall which has pale blue flowers.

'McConnells Blue' grows +-50cm tall and has dark blue flowers.

'Miss Jessop's Upright' grows +-1m tall and has white flowers.

'Roseus' has pink flowers and grows 1 to 2m tall.

'Tuscan Blue' is an Italian Rosemary with dark blue flowers and an upright habit, growing up to 2m tall.

Members can click here to read my full article on how to grow, propagate and care for Rosemary.

This article also includes other interesting information on its health benefits and many uses in the home and kitchen, and companion planting.