
Christmas Flowers
November 22, 2023 1:26 pmAmaryllis has big beautiful blooms just in time to decorate a festive table! In the bulb world, a Christmas flower…

Agapanthus That Sparkle
September 22, 2023 12:56 pmIf at all possible, the new agapanthus varieties on the market this year are bigger, better, more intense in colour…

Dividing Arum Lilies
February 28, 2023 10:28 amThat symbol of purity and innocence, the indigenous Zantedeschia aethiopica (white arum lily) has the good grace to form large…

Adromischus
November 25, 2022 8:57 amPetit size, pretty leaves… The genus Adromischus, known colloquially as the bontplakkie, includes 28 endemic species to southern Africa. The…

Asparagus Ferns
November 25, 2022 8:12 amFern-likes of the forest. The genus Asparagus includes very decorative indigenous species and varieties that are popular houseplants or handy…

Agapanthus ‘Buccaneer’
September 12, 2022 1:13 pmOur indigenous agapanthus plants are truly a wonderful addition to the garden. They are easy to grow, virtually pest- and…

Mini Aloe Guide
August 3, 2022 2:47 pmThe size is diminutive, but the appeal is ginormous! If you are amped to start a collection of succulent plants…

Top-End Aggies
August 1, 2022 10:00 amRead in Afrikaans We have given the global gardening world a rich gift of our plant treasures to love and…

Make Your Own Mini Aloe Garden
June 15, 2022 11:45 amMore and more mini aloes are hitting the market, and they make a colourful and easy-to-care-for bowl of interesting succulents.…

Dividing Agapanthus
March 4, 2022 3:25 pmAlthough agapanthus don’t mind being a tad overcrowded, they will in time lose their natural vigour and will need to…

Aeonium ‘Kiwi’
March 3, 2022 4:57 pmAeoniums are commonly called tree houseleeks, which is an indication that they form substantial side stems topped with their typical…

Kangaroo Paws
August 5, 2021 3:30 pmFill up your low-water zones like the gravel garden, rock garden and sunny low maintenance areas with new and very…

Anthuriums: Bringing Back a Classic
July 9, 2021 8:26 pmRead in Afrikaans Anthuriums are exotic plants with unique, almost bizarre flowers that make them undeniably irresistible. The name stems…

8 Flowers for Winter Colour
July 9, 2021 12:34 pmIf you wake up one morning and think, “I’m tired of browns and greys and leafless trees, I want colour!”,…

Divide and Repot Aloes
July 9, 2021 10:13 amIf your pretty aloe, such as this ‘Twice as Nice’ hybrid with its striking red and white bi-coloured flowers, has…

Blushing Beauties – Harness the Power of Pink
January 28, 2021 10:54 amSummer gardens are potentially the brightest and showiest of all the seasons. Plant growth is rapid and the results are…

The Best Plants for Retaining Walls
January 21, 2021 1:16 pmRetaining walls present unique challenges to the gardener. This is how you overcome them. Problem: Dull retaining walls The pre-cast,…

Border Charmers
December 17, 2020 4:40 pmEdging Plants to Complement Good edging plants that either calmly complement or create a bright colour contrast are just what…

How to Create a Topiary
December 17, 2020 4:03 pmReady-made topiaries are much admired but fairly expensive. Luckily it is not too difficult to create your own topiary at…

Abelias: The A to B’s
May 7, 2020 4:12 pmAbelias are invariably the very first plant listed in most plant books and nursery catalogues. The genus includes some 30…

Always Agapanthus
April 24, 2020 1:09 pmThe name agapanthus is derived from the Greek words agape which means love and anthos flower. So these truly South…

The Inca Lily
October 15, 2019 12:00 pmOriginating from South America with its home in the Andes mountains, the Inca Lily is a welcomed import to South…

Fabulous Agapanthus Hybrids
September 26, 2019 2:42 pmSuperior modern Agapanthus hybrids now have longer and repeat flowering capabilities. These plants are very floriferous and tough, withstanding frost…

Why would a florist need insurance for their flower shop?
August 16, 2019 9:15 amThere is constant debate around when insurance is vital. Although many entrepreneurs consider business insurance, they often think that they…

How to repot anthuriums
June 20, 2019 10:44 amWhen is the Best Time to Re-pot Anthuriums? Roots are growing through the drainage holes of the pots. There is…

Lilies – Asiatics vs Orientals
April 12, 2019 10:26 amWithout a doubt, lilies stand out in terms of beauty and fragrance, and just burst with symbolism that make them…

Viola hederacea
January 15, 2018 8:14 amAustralian Violet, Trailing violet This ground cover forms carpets of rounded, bright green leaves with masses of white and purple…

Tweedia caerulea
January 12, 2018 2:39 pmTweedia Caerulea (also known as Amblyopetalum or Oxypetalum Caeruleum). This is an untidy, rambling, scrambling little sub-shrub from Uruguay that…

Senecio elegans
January 11, 2018 1:02 pmWild Cineraria Senecio is a member of the Asteraceae (daisy) family, which is the second largest family of flowering plants…

Phlox subulata
January 8, 2018 1:54 pmCandy Stripe, Alpine or Moss Phlox As its common names imply Phlox Subulata is a real little rock plant. It…

Malcolmia maritima
January 8, 2018 11:06 amVirginia Stock, French Forget-me-Not As gardeners, we are always in search of fragrance so it’s a mystery why the sweetly-scented Virginian…

Euphorbia trigona
December 19, 2017 9:18 amAfrican Milk Tree, High Chaparall, Cathedral Cactus Euphorbia Trigona – a tall, slender and erect succulent from Namibia. The dark…

Beschorneria Yuccoides
December 15, 2017 10:30 amThe Beschorneria Yuccoides is a lovely plant found in gardens around the country and yet often overlooked and possibly, to…

Aristea Capitata
December 15, 2017 9:13 amBlue Sceptre (previously knows as Aristea Major) Growing on mountain slopes, Aristea Capitata is endemic to the Western, South Western…

Arctotis Acaulis and Stoechadifolia
December 15, 2017 9:10 amAfrican Daisy, Gousblom, Silver Arctotis, Kusgousblom Arctotis is a fairly large genus of about sixty species within the daisy family…

Acacia xanthophloea
December 14, 2017 11:55 amFever Trees Fever trees are tall and slender trees, reaching up to 12m, with a spreading but light crown and…

Acokanthera oppositifolia
December 14, 2017 11:25 amBushman’s Poison Acokanthera Oppositifolia is an evergreen shrub with dark green leaves. It grows to a height of 3 metres,…

Asystasia Gangetica
December 14, 2017 11:18 amCreeping Foxglove The Creeping Foxglove is an attractive but very vigorous ground cover that tolerates quite a sunny position but…

Asparagus Densiflorus ‘Myersii’
December 14, 2017 11:16 amFoxtail or Cat’s tail Asparagus Densiflorus ‘Myersii‘ (Foxtail or Cat’s tail), which has remained popular for decades. A cultivar of…

Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa
December 14, 2017 11:07 amFrench Tarragon Artemisia Dracunculus, or French tarragon, is a frost-hardy perennial with narrow green leaves. It becomes dormant in winter…

Artemisia Afra
December 14, 2017 10:53 amWild Wormwood, Wildeals Wild Wormwood is a highly aromatic, many-branched and bushy upright perennial shrub. Artemisia Afra can grow up…

Aponogeton Distachyos
December 13, 2017 3:05 pmCape Pond Weed The decorative leaves of indigenous aquatics and the showy blooms in season always command attention. Cape Pond…

Anthriscus cerefolium
December 13, 2017 3:01 pmChervil, French Parsley Anthriscus Cerefolium is a fairly low-growing plant, reaching a height of 30 cm and growing to about…

Alocasia cucullata
December 13, 2017 2:54 pmSpear Queen Alocasia Cucullata is a spectacular evergreen foliage plant belonging to the Elephant’s Ear family. Upright, fleshy, rhizomatous stems…

Aloysia triphylla
December 13, 2017 2:49 pmLemon Verbena Lemon Verbena is a popular shrub that was introduced into Western horticulture from Chile and Argentina as long…

Alluaudia procera
December 13, 2017 2:43 pmOctopus Plant The quest for strange or different looking plants continues. This unusual succulent plant from Madagascar, the Alluaudia Procera,…

Adenium Obesum
December 13, 2017 2:38 pmImpala Lily, Desert Rose or Sabi Star Adenium Obesum, sometimes called Adenium Multiflorum, is an interesting, or unusual grey to…

Acer palmatum
December 13, 2017 2:33 pmJapanese Maple Acer Palmatum originates from China, Korea and Japan, and has become one of the most popular deciduous trees…

Acalypha wilkesiana
December 13, 2017 2:32 pmCopperleaf or Calico bush The Acalypha is the mainstay of so many coastal and sub-tropical gardens in the country. Acalyphas…

Acacia sieberiana
December 13, 2017 2:26 pmPaperbark Thorn Acacia trees are an iconic symbol of the African landscape. Here in South Africa the paperbark thorn is…

Abelia x grandiflora
December 13, 2017 2:22 pmDwarf Glossy Abelia Formal gardens have been fashionable around the world since the times of early civilisations and still today…

Aglaonema varieties
December 13, 2017 2:06 pmSilver Queen, Maria Compacta, Pattaya Beauty The benefits of displaying indoor plants in our homes are huge. Plants are a…

Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Variegata’
November 20, 2017 1:20 pmSweetgum, American Sweetgum This is a selected, variegated leaf form of the Liquidambar, which originates from parts of the Eastern…

Tecoma Capensis
January 18, 2016 6:23 amExpect a lively concert from the garden wildlife if, perchance, you end up alongside a Tecoma Capensis, or Cape Honeysuckle…

Solanum Giganteum
January 14, 2016 12:27 pmAfrican Holly Solanum giganteum is a somewhat unconventional choice – but not for birds! Do not confuse it with the invasive…

Lobularia maritima
August 17, 2015 11:39 amSweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima is a delicate, fine-textured plant with masses of white blooms set against variegated foliage. It is…
Laying the foundation for the Autumn flush
August 17, 2015 8:33 amNow is the time to prepare your roses for the autumn flush. Rose growers all look forward to the autumn…

Jasminum sambac
July 31, 2015 7:35 amArabian Jasmine Jasminum sambac – the heavy, exotic and enticing scent of this fabulously voluptuous sprawling scrambler (it is more…

Abelia x grandiflora ‘Edward Goucher’
September 1, 2014 8:01 amAbelia x Grandiflora ‘Edward Goucher‘ is a tamer garden hybrid compared to the ordinary Abelia. This compact shrub with glossy…

Amaranthus caudatus
August 22, 2014 10:02 amLove-Lies-Bleeding, Pendant Amaranth,Tassel Flower, Velvet Flower, Foxtail Amaranth, Quilete A much-loved, ancient food, the Amaranth has literally become a worldwide weed,…

Acorus Gramineus
August 22, 2014 9:32 am‘Golden Edge’, ‘Mini-Gold’ & Variegatus Acorus Gramineus ‘Golden Edge’ is a grass-like evergreen perennial with delicate, slightly curved foliage that…

Aucuba Japonica ‘Crotonifolia’, ‘Goldeyana’, ‘Variegata’
August 18, 2014 12:07 pmJapanese Laurel Aucuba Japonica is possibly not the first plant that one would choose if faced with all the beauties…

Asplenium Bulbiferum
August 18, 2014 12:02 pmHen-and-chicken Fern Hen-and-chicken Fern, Robust and stout, this fern has fronds resembling carrot leaves upon which plantlets are produced at…

Aristida Junciformis
August 18, 2014 11:56 amHeigras, Congoni Grass, Gongoni Three-Awn, Ngongoni Bristle Grass, Wire Grass Heigras, while not a favourite grass with farmers because it…

Argyranthemum frutescens
August 18, 2014 11:21 amCrazy Daisy, Bush Daisy, Marguerite Daisy, Starlight Red, Summersong White For quick colour, few plants beat the old-fashioned daisy bush,…

Apodytes Dimidiata
August 18, 2014 9:38 amWhite Pear White Pear is a bushy, evergreen tree that can easily be shaped into a slender growth form. The…

Anigozanthus hybrids
August 18, 2014 6:55 amCat’s Paw or Kangaroo Paw The cat’s paw, a plant of Australian origin, is a perennial that is available in…

Angelonia Angustifolia
August 18, 2014 6:47 am‘Angelface’, ‘Summer Snapdragon’ & ‘Serena Lavender’ Looking at the sweet hybrids of Angelonia Angustifolia, it is hard to believe that…

Anemone x hybrida
August 18, 2014 6:42 amJapanese Anemone Spectacular when in full bloom and forming ever-increasing clumps, the Japanese Anemone is easy-to-grow herbaceous perennials die down…

Alstroemeria
August 14, 2014 12:01 pmInca or Peruvian Lily As its common name implies, the Alstroemeria, or Inca Lily, originates from South America. Alstroemeria is…

Agave victoriae-reginae
August 14, 2014 9:32 amQueen Victoria agave, royal agave Agave victoriae-reginae is a very long lived, exceptionally slow-growing succulent with short, triangular leaves that are about…

Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis ‘Blue Velvet’
August 14, 2014 8:21 amBlue Lily, African Lily, or Lily of the Nile Agapanthus, being a plant that is reliable, tough, enduring, very easy…

Agapanthus orientalis ‘Queen Mum’
August 14, 2014 8:16 amQueen Mum Lily of the Nile Agapanthus Orientalis ‘Queen Mum’ is an exceptionally elegant plant with flowers that are blue…

Agapanthus africanus ‘Summer Gold’
August 14, 2014 8:11 amAgapanthus Africanus ‘Summer Gold’ is a slow-growing, variegated hybrid developed in California. It adapts well to local conditions, but can…

Agapanthus africanus ‘Peter Pan’
August 14, 2014 8:07 amDwarf African Lily, Dwarf Lily of the Nile, Dwarf Peter Pan Lily With all the new varieties of agapanthus that…

Agapanthus africanus ‘Double Diamond’
August 14, 2014 8:00 amAgapanthus Africanus ‘Double Diamond’ was developed in South Africa and suits most of our climates, except the extremely cold areas.…

Agapanthus ‘White Ice’
August 14, 2014 7:54 amAgapanthus ‘White Ice’ bears large white flowers on short stems. Mature plant size about 40 x 30 cm. During our…

Agapanthus ‘Blue Ice’
August 14, 2014 7:49 amAgapanthus ‘Blue Ice’ has unique flowers that are blue at the bases, while the rest of each petal is almost…

Agapanthus ‘Black Pantha’
August 14, 2014 7:41 amAgapanthus Black Pantha bears closed buds that are almost black, opening to violet blue. The flowers are fantastic as cut…

Agapanthus ‘Amethyst’
August 14, 2014 7:34 amAgapanthus ‘Amethyst’ has soft, lilac coloured flowers with a darker, amethyst-coloured stripe running down the centre of each petal. The…

Adiantum raddianum fern
August 14, 2014 7:22 amMaidenhair Fern Attractive black stalks carry triangular-shaped fronds comprised of numerous small, wedge shaped leaflets. Many different cultivars of this…

Acanthus mollis
August 14, 2014 6:55 amBear’s Breeches Bear’s Breeches comes from Southern Europe and is considered one of the earliest cultivated garden plants. It has…

Abelia x Grandiflora ‘Cardinal’
August 14, 2014 6:30 amGlossy Abelia Abelia x Grandiflora ‘Cardinal’, or Glossy Abelia, has mint-green leaves with a narrow white edge and new foliage…

Abelia x Grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’
August 14, 2014 6:18 amAbelia x Grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ is a dwarf hybrid (70 x 90 cm) with ever-changing foliage. The new growth in spring…

Abelia x grandiflora ‘Francis Mason’
August 14, 2014 6:05 amAbelia x Grandiflora ‘Francis Mason’ is also known as the Golden Abelia. The leaves are often the colour of pure…