DIY Bromeliad Log
November 30, 2021 1:44 pmCreate a gorgeous centrepiece with a piece of driftwood and some guzmanias, a Vriesea ‘Splenriet’, a string of lights andRead More...
Tropical Style for Indoors
November 30, 2021 1:27 pmBromeliads can add intrigue as well as wonderful forms and colours to your home. Bromeliads have made an effortless leapRead More...
Dazzle with begonias
November 22, 2021 11:05 amIf you really want to know how to make a splash with begonias, visit parks and gardens in summer andRead More...
Indigenous Spring Beauty Nemesias
September 14, 2021 10:37 amSpring flowers the world over have a softness and beauty that captures the spirit of the season itself. Our indigenousRead More...
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!”,Read More...
Propagating Begonia Rex
May 18, 2021 12:28 pmHave you ever wondered if it’s possible to try propagating you Begonia rex (painted-leaf begonia)? Well, if you have aRead More...
Garden Structures: pergolas, arbours and gazebos
May 17, 2021 2:33 pmGarden structures outside your house can enhance the look of the garden by making it more appealing and professionally finished.Read More...
Benefits of Indoor Plants
April 22, 2021 11:41 amWhy we need indoor plants As you may have noticed when strolling through interior shops lately, nature is a hugeRead More...
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 areRead More...
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,Read More...
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 whatRead More...
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 atRead More...
Callistemon
December 2, 2019 11:52 amCitrinus Little John, Bottlebrush, Hot Pink, Endeavour A beginner gardener who cannot decide which flowering shrub to buy, won’t regretRead More...
Beacon Impatiens
August 26, 2019 2:00 pmWelcome back summer’s best-loved flowers for shade. The fast-filling bedding Impatiens Walleriana, which all but vanished from summer shade gardens,Read More...
Aloe Orange Delight
May 7, 2019 12:52 pmAloe…is it me you’re looking for? This Aloe is a delightful, small to medium aloe that is similar to hedgehogRead More...
Three small indigenous trees
December 18, 2018 12:43 pmLees in Afrikaans Gardens around the globe are shrinking in size, necessitating the planting of smaller trees and shrubs toRead More...
Bridelia Micrantha
November 27, 2018 12:13 pmMitzeeri or Coastal Golden Leaf Bridelia Micrantha is a medium to large deciduous tree (can reach 20m, though normally 8Read More...
Black Diamond Crape Myrtle
February 28, 2018 9:01 amIf you’re looking for something different to plant, take a look at Black Diamond Crape Myrtle. This stunning new crapeRead More...
Buxom Buxus
February 19, 2018 1:24 pmPotted Plant Recipe Using Buxus The entrance to a home is much more welcoming when there’s a green focal pointRead More...
Watsonia pillansii
January 15, 2018 8:47 amPillans Watsonia, Beatrice Watsonia, Bugle Lily Watsonia Pillansii is a medium-sized irid, growing from 0.45 to 1.2 m high. It is widely distributedRead More...
Serruria florida
January 11, 2018 12:59 pmBlushing Bride, Pride of Franschhoek First recorded in 1773, the Serruria Florida, a well-known plant belonging to the Proteaceae family,Read More...
Sisyrinchium ‘E.K Balls’
January 11, 2018 12:57 pmBlue Eyed Grass The Blue Eyed Grass is a charming little clump-forming perennial comprising of narrow, sword-like leaves growing toRead More...
Solanum Rantonnetii
January 11, 2018 12:54 pmIn the days when we quickly had to order a few flowering shrubs to fill the instant colour aisles ofRead More...
Spiraea ‘Arguta’
January 11, 2018 12:31 pmBridal Wreath, Foam of May Normal gardens have been fashionable around the world since the times of early civilisations andRead More...
Psychotria capensis
January 8, 2018 1:21 pmBlack Bird Berry Psychotria capensis is one of the most useful plants in a garden because it can be grownRead More...
Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea
January 8, 2018 12:24 pmBlue Water Lily, Frog’s Pulpit The decorative leaves of indigenous aquatics, like the Nymphaea Nouchali, and the showy blooms inRead More...
Ilex Crenata Hedges
December 21, 2017 1:17 pmBox-leaved Holly Formal gardens have been fashionable around the world since the times of early civilisations and still today theyRead More...
Dichorisandra thyrsiflora
December 18, 2017 12:30 pmBlue Ginger Gardeners have always enjoyed and admired plants with blue flowers, possibly because of the apparent scarcity of blue,Read More...
Cymbidium hybrids
December 15, 2017 1:16 pmBoat Orchid The genus Cymbidium in the Orchidaceae (Orchid) family consists of about 50 species, from which many thousands ofRead More...
Calandiva
December 15, 2017 12:04 pmDouble Kalanchoe Calandiva plants are ideal ‘no-brainers’, pleasing the intrepid indoor gardener with long-lasting displays of hundreds of double-petalled, brightly-coloured flowersRead More...
Burchellia Bubalina – Wild Pomegranate
December 15, 2017 10:41 amThe Wild Pomegranate is a neat growing shrub, up to 2.5 m in height, with beautiful dark green glossy leaves.Read More...
Bromelia Aechmea
December 15, 2017 10:39 amUrn Plant The benefits of displaying indoor plants in our homes are huge. Plants are a décor tool, moisturiser, therapist,Read More...
Betula Pendula
December 15, 2017 10:34 amSilver or Common Birch The Silver Birch is one of the best-known trees in cultivation today, especially in temperate regions,Read More...
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, toRead More...
Bergenia Cordifolia
December 15, 2017 10:17 amHeart Leaf or Elephant Ear The common names of Heart Leaf or Elephant Ear for the Bergenia Codifolia allude toRead More...
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 WesternRead More...
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,Read More...
Bauhinia
December 14, 2017 11:21 amGalpinii, Bowkerii, Tomentosa and Petersiana Pride of de Kaap The Bauhinia belongs to one of the world’s largest plant families,Read More...
Ficus Hanging Around
December 7, 2017 1:44 pmIf you visit any stockist of indoor plants you are sure to come across small potted trees called Ficus MicrocarpaRead More...
Rosa banksiae
November 20, 2017 3:37 pmYellow Banksian Rose ‘Lutea’ The Banksiae Rose is a garden favourite around the globe. It originates in West and CentralRead More...
Buxus Sempervirens
November 15, 2017 12:08 pmBox, Boxwood, Little Leaf Boxwood Formal gardens have been fashionable around the world since the times of early civilisations andRead More...
Brachystelma Pulchellum
November 15, 2017 12:01 pmThere are myriads of interesting and unusual plants growing in gardens and in the vast tracts of unspoilt wilderness thatRead More...
Bellis Perennis
November 15, 2017 11:38 amEnglish Daisy The English Daisy is a dainty little perennial often treated as an annual in the warm African climateRead More...
Barleria Species
November 15, 2017 11:16 amBarleria Greenii, Wild Bush Petunia If you have never had the pleasure of seeing the Barleria Greenii in full bloomRead More...
Pittosporum tenuifolium
May 5, 2017 12:53 pmKōhūhū and Black Matipo Pittosporum Tenuifolium is a small evergreen tree, up to 10m. It is sometimes grown under the cultivarRead More...
The Bearded Iris
January 18, 2016 6:45 amThe Bearded Iris is rated amongst the most beautiful of all the flowering perennials and they have also, over manyRead More...
Sedum spurium ‘Bronze Carpet’
January 14, 2016 11:31 amStonecrop The Sedum Spurium plant is a vigorous, evergreen ground cover with glossy, succulent leaves that are dark coppery-red inRead More...
Scabiosa
January 14, 2016 10:49 amOur colleague, Gerald Schofield, once described the hybrids of Scabiosa as ‘totally loveable’ plants. Most gardeners agree with his description of thisRead More...
Red Roses – Rosa Hot Point Spire (BARhop)
January 14, 2016 8:50 amRed roses are associated with Valentine’s Day and this Spire rose grows into a stately 2,5m high specimen that producesRead More...
Rhus crenata
January 14, 2016 8:38 amDune Crowberry The Rhus crenata resembles a bamboo with thick clumps with slender side branches and delicate rosettes of foliageRead More...
Rhamnus prinoides
January 14, 2016 8:32 amDogwood or Blinkblaar Rhamnus prinoides are bushy with shiny dark green foliage. Its small greenish, insect-attracting flowers are followed by fleshyRead More...
Perovskia atriplicifolia
September 2, 2015 8:33 amBlue Rain Perovskias Perovskias are often underestimated in terms of the great value that they can add to the garden.Read More...
Ophiopogon
September 1, 2015 12:17 pmOphiopogon, or Mondo Grasses have thin, curved, ribbon-like leaves and grow in dense tussocks. They are evergreen, exceptionally hardy, produceRead More...
Meet the Bignonia family, both good and bad!
August 31, 2015 8:07 amMuch like human families, plant families, like the Bignonia Family, also count amongst their members both the gorgeous and theRead More...
Lobelia x gerardii
August 17, 2015 11:35 amBlue Lobelia The Blue Lobelia that most gardeners know is a tiny edging plant that is unparalleled for its intensityRead More...
Liriope Muscari
August 17, 2015 11:05 amLiriopes, commonly known as lilyturfs, are evergreen flowering plants which form thick clumps of grasslike foliage. They are unique groundcoversRead More...
Leucadendron tinctum
August 17, 2015 8:56 amBergroos, Spicy Conebush One of the most appealing features of this greatly under-utilised Leucadendron Tinctum is the strong spicy aromaRead More...
Hostas
July 29, 2015 11:08 amHostas have always been useful perennials for shade gardens, especially very cold gardens. This is perhaps why, over the years,Read More...
Gaura Lindheimeri Blushing Butterflies
July 23, 2015 9:41 amButterfly Gaura Gaura Lindheimeri ‘Blushing Butterflies’ produces soft pink flowers and has leaves that are light reddish-green and become brighterRead More...
Freylinia Tropica
July 14, 2015 7:52 amBlue Freylinia, Waterberg Bell-Bush, Blue Splash, Blue Honey-Bell Freylinia Tropica with its delicate foliage and light mauve to pretty blueRead More...
Evolvulus ‘Blue My Mind’
June 11, 2015 7:34 amDwarf Morning Glory Delicate, petite blue flowers cover these grey-foliage plants for months on end. Evolvulus, heat and drought-tolerant, theseRead More...
Erigeron karvinskianus
June 1, 2015 10:51 amMexican Fleabane, Latin American Fleabane, Santa Barbara Daisy, Spanish Daisy, Karwinsky’s Fleabane, or Bony-tip Fleabane. Erigeron Karvinskianus is an inexpensive, evergreen diehard that willRead More...
Distictis buccinatoria
May 8, 2015 7:59 amMexican Blood-Trumpet This showy climber, the Mexican Blood Trumpet, from Mexico was planted extensively by local gardeners during the latterRead More...
Diospyros whyteana
May 8, 2015 7:57 amBladdernut The Bladdernut is one of those small trees with so many uses in both small and larger gardens. ItsRead More...
Clivia miniata
March 26, 2015 11:21 amNatal Lily, Bush Lily The Natal Lily are lovely shade loving plants that will produce an absolute spectacle in spring withRead More...
Clerodendrum thomsoniae
March 26, 2015 11:06 amBleeding Heart The genus Clerodendrum consists of numerous trees, shrubs and climbers, including the Bleeding Heart, that originate largely inRead More...
Carex Varieties
March 25, 2015 7:53 amBronze Form, Bronze New Zealand Hair Sedge, Bronze Perfection There are many varieties to choose from in the genus Carex. Some are stately ornamental grassesRead More...
Festuca gautieri
August 21, 2014 6:13 pmSpiky Fescue or Bearskin Fescue Festuca Gautieri has fine, bright green blades and grows to about 20 x 20 cm. A stretchRead More...
Butia Capitata
August 21, 2014 10:48 amYatay or Jelly Palm Yatay or Jelly Palm is a stately, single-stemmed palm tree originating from Brazil, Uruguay and ArgentinaRead More...
Burgundy Iceberg
August 21, 2014 10:39 amBurgundy Icebergs are beautiful, eye-catching roses worth planting en masse. Masses of velvety, generally wine-red flowers with a very delicateRead More...
Buddleja Saligna
August 21, 2014 10:27 amWhite Olive Use the hardy Buddleja Saligna, a fast-growing small tree or large shrub, as a windbreak or hedge inRead More...
Brunfelsia Pauciflora ‘Floribunda’ and Undulata
August 21, 2014 10:18 amYesterday-today-and-tomorrow, morning-noon-and-night, Kiss Me Quick, and Brazil Raintree, White Caps Brunfelsia Pauciflora ‘Floribunda’ is a dense shrub that grows toRead More...
Bolusanthus Speciosus
August 21, 2014 9:38 amTree Wisteria The Tree Wisteria is a truly elegant deciduous tree with a neat, elongated silhouette in the landscape. ItRead More...
Blechnum Ferns
August 21, 2014 9:33 amThe genus Blechnum, from the family Blechnaceae, was derived from the Greek word blechnon meaning a fern. Blechnum are mostly evergreen fernsRead More...
Bersama Lucens
August 21, 2014 9:20 amGlossy White Ash Type: Small tree, 4m. Form: Compact multi-stemmed tree, prominent foliage. Flowers: Spikes of small, greenish flowers, fromRead More...
Berberis ‘Golden Ring’
August 21, 2014 9:15 amJapanese Barberry This splendid foliage shrub is a specially selected form of the Japanese Barberry, Berberis Thunbergii Fatropurpurea. It has manyRead More...
Bacopa
August 21, 2014 9:10 amBacopa, Indigenous Phlox, Sutera or James Brittennia. Whatever the name, the Bacopa, an ankle-high ground cover, with tits graceful flowersRead More...
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,Read More...
Aloe polyphylla
August 14, 2014 10:52 amSpiral aloe Aloe polyphylla is a stemless aloe with short, thorny, grey-green, upright leaves arranged in a perfect spiral. The leafRead More...
Aloe plicatilis
August 14, 2014 10:48 amFan Aloe Aloe plicatilis (fan aloe) is always pretty, whether it is in the form of a hundred-year-old giant orRead More...
Aloe peglerae
August 14, 2014 10:44 amFez aloe Type: Small shrub-like aloe, 40cm.Form: Succulent with inwardly curving leaves that assume a ‘soccer ball’ shape.Flowers: Red-orange tubularRead More...
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 easyRead More...
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 almostRead More...
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 cutRead More...
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 hasRead More...
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