Your Patio Is A Garden Waiting To Happen!
July 24, 2023 8:57 amNo garden? No problem! Here are a few of our favourite products for creating an urban garden. That patio where…
What is Biophilic Design?
February 28, 2023 10:56 amAs we continue to fill our homes with screens and gadgets, and our cities with concrete and paved roads, we…
Garden Design Changes that have Big Impact
February 27, 2023 1:41 pmChange is as good as a holiday, as that well-used old chestnut would have it, and fewer places witness change…
3 Window Box Ideas
October 25, 2022 3:36 pmThere is nothing that lifts the spirits more than planting up window boxes – it’s like creating a miniature garden…
Designing With Containers
July 15, 2022 3:11 pmThe existence of potted plants as contained gardens must surely stretch deep back into time immemorial. Imagine, if you will,…
3 Colourful Fillers
June 21, 2022 11:15 amEvery garden always has gaps – bits of bare soil between plants that can be filled with pretty annuals. So,…
The Creative Art of Paving Design
June 14, 2022 4:03 pmWhen contemplating paving design in the garden, there are a few key considerations: Practicality Is it, for example, practical to…
Working and Playing With Nature
May 11, 2022 2:38 pmIn an era where small gardens are the norm and our footprint has an impact on the planet, there is…
Tips for working with design elements
February 22, 2022 1:33 pmWorking with accessories in small gardens When we’re talking design elements, a bold, eye-catching container or feature in a small…
Celebrate the Diversity of Perennials
January 11, 2022 9:02 amStart reducing the size of your demanding lawn by filling up more garden space with a variety of flowering perennials…
Foodscape your garden
January 6, 2022 3:56 pmWhy replacing ornamentals with edibles is the next big thing… When we picture an edible garden, we typically imagine neat…
10 ways to change your garden on a budget
January 6, 2022 3:56 pmAnyone who has ever been to buy plants from a nursery knows that gardening isn’t cheap. Plus, there is no…
10 Quick Ways to Improve Your Garden Design
December 1, 2021 1:37 pmLet’s admit it – we all have our lazy moments when it comes to garden design. Huge projects that require…
Life’s A Holiday At Renishaw Hills
November 9, 2021 2:01 pmWhen you’ve worked hard throughout your life in preparation for this chapter, why should it feel like anything less than…
Indigenous Flowers for Petite Gardens
October 12, 2021 4:58 pmIs it possible to use entirely indigenous flowers in a very small garden, to feel part of the ‘proudly South…
Rewilding your garden
September 15, 2021 12:14 pmWith biodiversity under never before seen pressure, we can and should all do our bit by creating a wildlife refuge…
Offbeat Outdoor Spaces
September 14, 2021 10:23 amCreate offbeat outdoor spaces that fit your garden and you. Modern gardening requires a holistic approach. Gone are the days…
Freedom and the best of Mother Nature at Renishaw Hills
September 2, 2021 1:36 pmAt Renishaw Hills, Scottburgh, we consider retirement as harvesting the thriving, blossoming buds you’ve been planting all your life. We believe…
The Pathway Design Checklist
July 7, 2021 10:30 amYour foolproof guide to pathway design and planning. Pathways are an integral part of any garden, but are often left…
Small Trees for Screens and Hedges
July 6, 2021 9:53 pmUse the following small trees for screens or to create large hedges. White pear (Apodytes dimidiata) The white pear is…
Creating a Mini Woodland
July 6, 2021 8:37 pmIf you can’t get into the healing environment of a real forest to do some ’forest bathing’ you can go…
Paving Patterns: All the Designs
June 18, 2021 9:39 amLaying pavers seems so easy and fun that anyone could do it. While that is somewhat true, there’s more to…
Creating a tropical garden
June 18, 2021 9:00 amOf all known garden styles, a tropical garden best connects you to the drama and serenity of Mother Nature, and…
10 Fun Garden Ideas To Try This Year
June 10, 2021 10:30 am“In terms of design, there are no strict gardening rules”. Here are some excellent garden ideas to try. Decorate your…
Hedge Planting Tips
June 3, 2021 3:19 pmThe fastest and easiest way to plant a hedge is to dig a trench that can accommodate all your hedgelings…
Gardening for the Birds
June 3, 2021 2:54 pmEncouraging our feathered friends to the garden is popular these days. Bird watching is a popular hobby and can be…
The Value of Sowing Seed
May 18, 2021 12:09 pmApril is an important month for sowing seed for winter and spring colour. Get planning and planting now! Some gardeners…
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.…
Tips for Adding Structure to Your Garden
April 21, 2021 9:40 amThe difference between mere vegetation and a space called a garden is structure … If you’ve spent extensive hours working…
Plant Your Own Bog Garden
April 20, 2021 11:04 amIf out of the ordinary is what you’re looking for, look no further than bog gardens and the endless list…
The War of the Roses
April 20, 2021 9:59 amThe ‘Iceberg’ roses in this marvellous garden have a story to tell. Gardeners are interesting people and their priorities usually…
The Therapeutic Garden and Gardening for Good Health
April 19, 2021 2:14 pmHow helping your garden can actually help you. In a fast-paced world dictated by technology we have a tendency to…
The Long Garden
April 19, 2021 10:10 amWe create gardens to nourish our human spirits and satisfy our senses. When Tara Forster decided to return home to…
At Play in the Backyard – Kids’ Gardens
April 15, 2021 10:07 pmIf we don’t make time to teach young folk to love gardening, who is going to plant trees, flowers, fruit…
A Short History of Gardening
March 1, 2021 9:11 amInsight into a topic is rooted in an understanding of its history, and this is true of the history of…
Great Design Ideas for Your Garden
February 23, 2021 9:15 pmWe love to visit garden centres and design schools to see what brilliant ideas have been thought up during the…
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…
Creating a Coastal Garden
January 24, 2021 11:08 pmThe key to success with a coastal garden is to create protected pockets and a gentler microclimate within a tough…
Indigenous Colour Planting Palettes
January 24, 2021 9:11 pmWe South Africans really are spoilt for choice when it comes to indigenous ornamentals that look gorgeous in gardens when…
Clever with Colour
January 21, 2021 10:28 amEveryone loves a colourful garden. Some enjoy heady swathes of bright colour while others prefer more subdued colour schemes. Whatever…
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…
Pets in the garden
December 10, 2020 10:36 amMost pet owners are aware of the importance of pet-safe gardening – avoiding toxic plants, fencing off no-go areas and…
More Than A Garden Shed
November 3, 2020 11:03 amA garden shed may be inherently practical, but we gardeners attach so much more to ours. They become a place…
Smart bordering
September 25, 2020 2:55 pmCompact plants can be used in rich swathes of colour and texture in the foreground of shrub beds that need…
Water Gardening
August 24, 2020 5:11 pmGo with the Flow Water features to freshen up your garden design. Close your eyes. Imagine a relaxing spot in…
The Best of South Coast Splendour
July 24, 2020 1:39 pmThe indigenous gardens of Renishaw Hills have certainly caught many eyes, with both residents and visitors remarking on how spectacular…
Creating a hardy backbone
July 22, 2020 2:48 pmAny garden or landscape needs a backbone to ensure a low-maintenance landscape, which is expected by homeowners. This can be…
Plant and replant like a pro
July 21, 2020 3:38 pmThere is more to planting and replanting than simply digging a hole in the ground. We have 8 top tips…
Game changer garden!
July 12, 2020 4:17 pmIf the design brief for a typical, very modern South African garden dictates the use of a limited and tough…
Lawn Edgings
June 10, 2020 3:25 pmA beautiful lawn is the envy of many a gardener. One of the most important aspects of a lush, neat…
A Personal Forest
March 20, 2020 1:10 pmWhen Stephen and Nicole Baverstock bought into Hawaan Forest Estate, they did so because they like the natural bush feeling…
Bringing The Family Together
March 20, 2020 11:58 amA little while ago Paul’s Plantscapes had the privilege of re-landscaping a large garden in Kloof. The customer asked us…
Garden Kids
January 22, 2020 12:21 pmToo many kids spend their days sitting inside being kept entertained by screens, and the lack of outdoor time in…
Starting over in Knysna
January 21, 2020 12:48 pmWhen the devastating fire swept through Knysna in June 2017, the Knysna Hollow Country Estate was razed to the ground.…
Silver-Foliaged Plants
July 23, 2019 10:30 amSilver-foliaged plants are mainly planted because of their functionality – they are mostly heat and drought tolerant due to hairy…
How to create a bed in your lawn – Perma Edge
June 4, 2019 1:26 pmLearn how to get perfect edges in your garden with help from Perma Edge. Here we are making a bed…
The Best of Both Worlds – Exotic And Indigenous
April 11, 2019 1:10 pmThis garden mixes exotic and indigenous plants for year-round interest. Close on eight years ago a couple swopped their home…
The Hilton Quarry
March 28, 2019 12:56 pmThe Hilton Quarry was initially overrun with large quantities of undesirable alien invasive species (AIS) which had self-propagated across the…
Keep going through winter
March 4, 2019 10:13 amHow to Keep up the Flower Power Now that winter has become milder, it’s possible for roses to flower all…
Spiral garden
February 18, 2019 8:00 amRead in Afrikaans The spiral symbol represents movement, usually the movement from outer consciousness to inner awareness and peace. In…
From Boring to Enchanting – A Case For Repurposing
February 15, 2019 11:04 amRead in Afrikaans There always seems to be one troublesome area in a garden, and in the case of this…
Forever beautiful
January 9, 2019 10:11 amGet the Look for your Rose Garden There are so many times when roses evoke a ‘wow’ from us! This…
Peace Lily paradise
December 14, 2018 3:46 pmHouse Vermaak – SALI Gold Award winning Garden 2018 – Garden Design This Gold SALI Award winning 2-acre ‘old Kloof’…
African Thunder
October 26, 2018 10:55 amA South African designer took the Singapore Golden Show by storm with his creative show garden. Thunderclouds roll over the…
Pruning hedges and topiaries
October 17, 2018 9:06 pmLate spring and early summer is when plant growth is most rapid and vigorous, which is why many hedges and…
On the cutting edge
July 16, 2018 1:18 pmA low Evergreen Hedge is more than a Barrier – it’s also a Great Design Element! A hedge is a…
Dare to be different
March 16, 2018 12:01 pmA monochromatic colour scheme can be elegant and effective. In the two previous parts of this series we chatted about…
Shape hedges with ease!
March 8, 2018 9:11 amIf you’re looking for a tool that effortlessly keeps garden hedges in check, look no further. The STIHL HSA 45…
Made for Moonlight – Patio Flowers
February 19, 2018 12:34 pmIt need not be a back- nor a bank-breaking exercise to turn a plain patio into an elegant entertainment area…
Potted Ferns
February 19, 2018 10:35 amFashions may change but ferns in pots have always been trendsetters. Potted ferns have been cultivated for centuries as ornamental decoration…
One Pot, Three pots
February 13, 2018 1:25 pmPotting Plants One pot with three amazing potting plant options! As spring approaches, most gardeners get the urge to plant.…
Edging
February 1, 2018 8:04 amStrong, flowing lines are the essence of good garden design. A common problem, however, is that those ‘strong lines’ tend…
Designed for Feed – Veggie Patch
January 23, 2018 9:31 amFew gardening experiences are more rewarding than picking home-grown edibles, and the ways in how they are produced are always…
Sansevieria trifasciata
January 11, 2018 1:17 pmMother-in-Law’s Tongue Sansevieria trifasciata is a tough, hardy and enduring succulent from Africa is making a strong fashion statement in…
Stephanotis floribunda
January 11, 2018 12:44 pmFlower of the Princesses Stephanotis Floribunda, the ‘Flower of the Princesses‘ – this rare and infinitely precious perennial creeper comes…
Rhaphiolepis x delacourii
January 11, 2018 12:04 pmIndian Hawthorn Rhaphiolepis x delacourii is an evergreen shrub with medium- sized, tough, leathery leaves that are dark green, sometimes…
Succulent Seat
December 13, 2017 11:03 amA retired old chair can be refashioned into a great planter succulent seat with some easy steps and a love…
Pyramid Trellis
December 8, 2017 3:38 pmThis pyramid trellis is an attractive decor item, that elegantly supports climbing plants, and intriguing frames for topiary. Use your…
Stone the Family
December 8, 2017 2:43 pmIn keeping with the miniature gardening trend that has hit the country, we came up with this little stone project…
Reach for the Sky – Trellises
December 8, 2017 2:26 pmBrighten up your veggie patch with colourful trellises, perfect for beans and other climbing plants that will reach for sky.…
Trendy Retread Tyres
December 7, 2017 11:33 amUpcycle your old tyres to liven up a garden wall, easily, quickly and to great effect. Recycling takes a stylish…
Retaining wall and seat
November 28, 2017 8:37 amChange function into feature by building your own retaining wall and seat, give your outdoor wooden furniture a longer lifespan…
Sundial
November 27, 2017 9:19 amLet your Garden Tell you the Time A classical sundial makes the perfect focal point in any garden. What you…
Trees of Life
November 27, 2017 9:00 amFrom time immemorial, water and trees have been used to symbolise life. Inspired by that rich tradition, this delightful fountain…
Tranquil Spaces
November 10, 2017 11:22 amConvert that awkward sloped corner of your garden into a beautiful and tranquil area for entertaining or simply relaxing in…
Step out in Style
November 9, 2017 12:28 pmGarden Steps Building garden steps down a bank doesn’t need to be a daunting task. Energised by the warmer weather the…
Growing ever upwards with climbers!
March 23, 2017 11:21 amClimbers are Opportunists that will try every Trick in the Book to get your Attention. Climbers cling to and twine…
Edging Your Beds
March 1, 2017 12:46 pmBy Anna Celliers Edging flower beds and pathways attractively and neatly is as important as hemming a dress or framing…
Hydro-zone: Is your Garden Zoned?
March 1, 2017 12:26 pmA Water-wise Garden should have Plants with Similar Water Requirements Grouped Together. This type of grouping is called a hydro-zone.…
Gardening in Miniature
April 3, 2016 8:36 amAt some point or another when we were younger we all loved seeing and playing with a miniature version of…
Stop and Stair
January 18, 2016 7:43 amLight aluminium ladders are taking over from the heavy, wooden variety as the ladder of choice. However, a discarded wooden…
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 fleshy…
Prettiest Pavement
September 4, 2015 7:11 amPlanting up a beautiful pavement garden is usually the last item on a gardener’s agenda, yet such a garden can…
Portable water features
September 4, 2015 6:29 amGarden centres stock an array of portable water features that take no longer than a Saturday morning to install in…
Poodle cut your Plants
September 4, 2015 6:21 amIt isn’t difficult to create your own topiary with a ‘poodle cut’ and it’s a lot cheaper than purchasing one…
Paving plants
September 2, 2015 7:56 amLarge paved areas in a garden can be very boring and one unfortunately often ends up inheriting spaces like this…
Paint an Alien
September 2, 2015 7:39 amAlien Invader DIY Don’t despair if your garden has a few alien invaders lurking in it. Once you’ve been ‘destructive’…
Moonlight Gardens
August 31, 2015 8:57 amIn today’s stressful world, moonlight gardens might just be the antidote we’re all searching for, so spend this month planning…
Instant Style for Unused Spaces
July 29, 2015 12:39 pmUpgrade unsightly and unused spaces in and around your garden using ready-to-assemble kits, paving and plants. Utility areas no longer…
Installing a Water Feature
July 29, 2015 11:40 amLarge or small, a water feature will enhance your garden. With a little planning, a water feature can be installed…
Garden Therapy
July 21, 2015 12:17 pmA garden can help restore hope, reduce stress and promote a feeling of wellbeing, even for those whose eyesight if…
Flexible and Versatile Edging
June 11, 2015 8:18 amTrim or mow over Perma Edge for a neat, tidy definition of beds, lawns or paths. It is ideal for…
Eco Pool Gardening – Swimming Pools
June 1, 2015 7:39 amWhen flying over densely populated parts of South African suburbia, you have the opportunity to peep into many urban backyards…
Down Many Garden Paths
June 1, 2015 6:55 amIn the Garden with Anna Recently, while visiting open gardens and garden shows, and judging gardening competitions, I met up…
Does your pool area need a facelift?
May 11, 2015 8:57 amA rock cascade adds value to your pool surround by giving it visual animation and the sound of cascading water.…
Designing with Aromatic Plants
May 8, 2015 7:35 amWhen the subject of fragrance is discussed we gardeners tend to think about the familiar, sweetly-scented flowering climbers and shrubs,…
Designer trees for small spaces
April 23, 2015 12:24 pmEven in a small garden there is space for at least one small tree. Like climbers, designer trees help to…
Shades of Shade
April 23, 2015 7:23 amDealing with potentially difficult shade conditions is easy if you have the right plants. In gardening, the term ‘shade’ is…
Creating Space Using a Pond
March 27, 2015 10:57 amPonds have a wonderful ability to create an illusion of space. If you have a small garden place a pond…
Courtyard Gardens of Damascus
March 27, 2015 10:52 amWhen the Muslims first entered Persia 14 centuries ago, they discovered a sophisticated courtyard garden culture that had its origins…
A walk to remember
March 24, 2015 7:32 amIt is easy to create a flowery walkway if you know what to plant at ground level; we analyzed this…
Rosa ‘Brilliant Pink Iceberg’
August 21, 2014 7:16 pmBrilliant Pink Iceberg flowers abundantly, producing half-double blooms in surprisingly vivid tones of dark pink to white. The flowers have…
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