fbpx

DD

Summer Colour In A Pot

January 30, 2024 2:15 pm Published by

Let’s take a look at this beautiful ‘summer colour in a pot’! The plants in this group all love the…

Drosera aliciae

Drosera Sundews

October 5, 2023 2:21 pm Published by

Speculation on the history of carnivorous plants still exists, but with little fossilised evidence. With advanced molecular science technology, researchers…

Dyckias

Dyckias

October 27, 2022 3:30 pm Published by

Not without gloves! Dyckias are technically not succulents, but bromeliads hailing from Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina. They produce…

homegrown flowers osteospermum

3 Flower Bombs

August 11, 2022 10:00 am Published by

August or early spring is the best time to flower bomb your garden and patio with three homegrown flowers! Cape…

overwinter dahlias

Overwinter Dahlias

May 12, 2022 11:07 am Published by

If you want to see those fat pom-pom dahlia blooms the size of a soup plate in your garden again…

groundcovers

5 Purposeful Groundcovers

January 21, 2022 2:09 pm Published by

Indigenous groundcovering plants are cheap, functional, and tough as old garden boots. Plant these in your pretty spaces and problem…

daffodils

Daffodils for Your Spring Garden

April 22, 2021 12:00 pm Published by

All your fundamental questions answered! Daffodils (Narcissus) are synonymous with spring, joy and (luckily for gardeners) hardiness. These beautiful bulbs…

Lysimachia nummularia edging plants

Border Charmers

December 17, 2020 4:40 pm Published by

Edging Plants to Complement Good edging plants that either calmly complement or create a bright colour contrast are just what…

topiary

How to Create a Topiary

December 17, 2020 4:03 pm Published by

Ready-made topiaries are much admired but fairly expensive. Luckily it is not too difficult to create your own topiary at…

Dianthus

April 2, 2020 2:47 pm Published by

Dianthus needs to be added to the list of garden toughies that are water-wise, don’t mind neglect and outlast most…

IMG_1538.jpg

Searsia crenata

January 11, 2018 1:11 pm Published by

Dune Crowberry The Searsia Crenata is a spreading and stocky coastal plant with a rounded shape. It survives against all…

IMG_1423.jpg

Senecio elegans

January 11, 2018 1:02 pm Published by

Wild Cineraria Senecio is a member of the Asteraceae (daisy) family, which is the second largest family of flowering plants…

IMG_6522.jpg

Monstera deliciosa

January 8, 2018 10:45 am Published by

Swiss Cheese Plant, Delicious Monster These are completely at home in a retro-style décor setting, the Delicious Monster is a…

IMG_0030.jpg

Felicia amelloides

December 19, 2017 10:22 am Published by

Kingfisher Daisy This is a little gem from our local shores. Felicia plants grow into sprawling or cascading sub-shrubs up…

Dichroa versicolor

December 18, 2017 1:09 pm Published by

Evergreen Hydrangea Dichroa Versicolor – the ‘Evergreen Hydrangea’ – is a close relative of the Hydrangea and originates from China,…

Duvernoia adhatodoides

December 18, 2017 1:04 pm Published by

Pistol Bush Duvernoia adhatodoides grows easily and is ideal for shady, moist spots. It has large dark green leaves and…

Dissotis canescens

December 18, 2017 1:00 pm Published by

The cosmopolitan family Melastomataceae is a very large group of more than 3 000 species of perennials, climbers, shrubs and…

IMG_9369.jpg

Digitalis purpurea

December 18, 2017 12:54 pm Published by

Foxglove Described as a biennial or short-lived perennial, the common Foxglove is always assured of making a stately feature in…

IMG_7158.jpg

Dieramas

December 18, 2017 12:47 pm Published by

Harebells, Fairy Bells Dieramas are members of the iris family, Iridaceae, and are noted for their graceful, arching sprays of…

Diascia barberae

December 18, 2017 12:40 pm Published by

Twinspur The Diascia Barberae is a dainty little perennial plant originating from the Drakensberg mountain range. It produces numerous upright…

IMG_7665.jpg

Dianella tasmanica

December 18, 2017 12:38 pm Published by

Tasman Flax Lily Dianella Tasmanica, commonly known as the Tasman Flax Lily is a grass-like, evergreen perennial that provides a…

desert spoon

Dasylirion wheeleri

December 18, 2017 12:35 pm Published by

Desert Spoon The Desert Spoon has a thick, short trunk. The leaves are a cool, grey colour with spiky, dry,…

IMG_5645.jpg

Dichorisandra thyrsiflora

December 18, 2017 12:30 pm Published by

 Blue Ginger Gardeners have always enjoyed and admired plants with blue flowers, possibly because of the apparent scarcity of blue,…

IMG_0475.jpg

Duranta

December 18, 2017 12:14 pm Published by

The genus Duranta includes a number of tree and shrub species that originate in the tropical Americas and include many…

Calandiva

December 15, 2017 12:04 pm Published by

Double Kalanchoe Calandiva plants are ideal ‘no-brainers’, pleasing the intrepid indoor gardener with long-lasting displays of hundreds of double-petalled, brightly-coloured flowers…

abelia-grandiflora1.jpg

Abelia x grandiflora

December 13, 2017 2:22 pm Published by

Dwarf Glossy Abelia Formal gardens have been fashionable around the world since the times of early civilisations and still today…

Myrtus communis

November 20, 2017 2:06 pm Published by

Compacta, Dwarf Myrtle, Myrtle A well-known healing herb, Myrtus Communis, which is more often referred to simply as ‘Myrtle’, is…

Dymondia margaretae

November 15, 2017 2:03 pm Published by

Carpet Daisy, Silver Carpet Dymondia Margaretae, is a mat-forming ground cover with curly, greyish green leaves and yellow daisy-like flowers in…

tecoma capensis

Tecoma Capensis

January 18, 2016 6:23 am Published by

Expect a lively concert from the garden wildlife if, perchance, you end up alongside a Tecoma Capensis, or Cape Honeysuckle…

Syzygium paniculatum

Syzygium paniculatum

January 15, 2016 11:09 am Published by

Syzygium Paniculatum is a well-known garden shrub with a multitude of uses. It is evergreen, has dense foliage, and grows rapidly…

Rhus crenata

January 14, 2016 8:38 am Published by

Dune Crowberry The Rhus crenata resembles a bamboo with thick clumps with slender side branches and delicate rosettes of foliage…

Rhamnus prinoides

January 14, 2016 8:32 am Published by

Dogwood or Blinkblaar Rhamnus prinoides are bushy with shiny dark green foliage. Its small greenish, insect-attracting flowers are followed by fleshy…

spekboom

Portulacaria afra

September 4, 2015 6:38 am Published by

Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant, Porkbush and Spekboom The spekboom or porkbush, also known as elephant’s food, olifantskos, soetspekboom, suurspekboom, igwanishe…

Osteospermum

September 1, 2015 12:31 pm Published by

Osteospermum are very popular late winter and early spring bedding plants, commonly known as Cape Daisies. Many daisy-like plants have…

ophiopogon

Ophiopogon

September 1, 2015 12:17 pm Published by

Ophiopogon, or Mondo Grasses have thin, curved, ribbon-like leaves and grow in dense tussocks. They are evergreen, exceptionally hardy, produce…

dwaba berry

Monanthotaxis caffra

August 31, 2015 8:53 am Published by

Dwaba Berry,  Dwababessie Type: Medium shrub, 2m.Form: Woody scrambler with sparse foliage.Flowers: Insignificant cream flowers, from December to March.Why plant…

euonymus japonicus

Euonymus Japonicus Microphyllus

June 8, 2015 11:03 am Published by

Japanese Euonymus, Dwarf Japanese Spindle, ‘Gold Dust’, ‘Aureus’ Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ is a rounded, very compact shrub with small, glossy…

Eucomis vandermerwei

June 8, 2015 10:54 am Published by

Pineapple Lily The mountainous area around Dullstroom in Mpumalanga has yielded a very unusual dwarf Eucomis. The Eucomis Vandermerwii grows…

Elegia tectorum

Elegia Tectorum

June 1, 2015 10:40 am Published by

Elegia tectorum is technically not an ‘ornamental grass’ but a reed-like plant, and is part of the indigenous Restionaceae family,…

Dovyalis caffra

June 1, 2015 6:50 am Published by

Umkokola, Kei Apples, Kai Apples, or Kau Apples Kei Apples have dense, glossy, oval leaves with a leathery feel –…

Dombeya rotundifolia

May 11, 2015 9:05 am Published by

 Wild Pear Dombeya Rotundifolia, one of the most attractive and reliable of the indigenous trees suitable for suburban gardens, has…

Dodonaea angustifolia

May 11, 2015 8:19 am Published by

  Sand Olive A Dodonaea Angustifolia, or Sand Olive, is a large shrub which grows fast and can handle wind and…

Distictis buccinatoria

May 8, 2015 7:59 am Published by

Mexican Blood-Trumpet This showy climber, the Mexican Blood Trumpet, from Mexico was planted extensively by local gardeners during the latter…

Diospyros whyteana

May 8, 2015 7:57 am Published by

 Bladdernut The Bladdernut is one of those small trees with so many uses in both small and larger gardens. Its…

dahlias

Dazzling dahlias

April 23, 2015 6:58 am Published by

Isn’t it strange how some flowers just go out of fashion, for no good reason? That’s been the fate of…

Hemerocallis

April 23, 2015 6:52 am Published by

Day Lilies Day Lilies are shrugging off their image as simple, ordinary garden plants. They are still hardy and easy…

squirrel's foot fern

Davallia mariesii

April 23, 2015 6:40 am Published by

Squirrel’s Foot Fern Prominent, creeping rhizomes on the surface of the soil is a feature of the Squirrel’s Foot Fern. They…

acorus gramineus

Acorus Gramineus

August 22, 2014 9:32 am Published by

‘Golden Edge’, ‘Mini-Gold’ & Variegatus Acorus Gramineus ‘Golden Edge’ is a grass-like evergreen perennial with delicate, slightly curved foliage that…

pompom tree

Dais cotinifolia

August 21, 2014 6:05 pm Published by

Pompom Tree The slender Pompom Tree is the perfect size for a small townhouse garden. It has a rounded crown,…

The Gardener