Gift guide

Mangaves for the plant collector

Stop doing boring succulents. Do Mangaves instead! Mangave succulents are the cool kids of the plant world. Tough, easy to grow in a combination of colours and patterns that make them totally chic and a must-have for the novice and experienced plant collector. 

Thriving on a bit of neglect and still looking fabulous is their jam. Mangaves are super versatile succulents and will grow almost anywhere from indoors in very bright light or outdoors in a mostly sunny to light shade spot. Treat yourself or a friend. We’re mad about Mangaves at Eckards and we know it’s only a question of time till you’ll be too. www.eckards.co.za 

Veld – The Gardens and Landscapes of Patrick Watson

A new book by Garreth van Niekerk with photographs by Elsa Young and artworks by Heidi Fourie is now available, featuring 23 gardens and landscapes by landscape architect Patrick Watson. Lauded for his pioneering approach to the restoration of degraded land and for his use of indigenous species, he has created hundreds of gardens in Africa and many others beyond – ranging from extensive mega-landscapes to exquisite small home gardens and tranquil spaces for quiet contemplation. Garreth van Niekerk is a multi-award-winning journalist and curator whose works explore the language of landscape, design and architecture. For stockists visit the website. www.struiknature.co.za/www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za

Wine cooler speaker lamp

For the person who has everything, this is something new. The Kooduu Synergy Wine Cooler Lamp is the ultimate blend of elegance and functionality. This dimmable LED lamp offers four light intensities, a Bluetooth speaker, and a built-in wine cooler, creating the perfect ambience for any occasion. It’s also waterproof, so it can be used outside. www.yuppiechef.co.za 

Much-loved brand turns 107

If you can’t resist a pork sausage on the braai, you will not be able to resist an Eskort pork sausage. This iconic brand turns 107 years old this year. It has been supporting farmers and giving us quality products for more than a century. Besides, we all know that bacon fixes everything! www.eskort.com 

Clever storage for outdoor essentials

Keter’s range of Darwin Sheds combines practical, sturdy resin-composite construction with modern design and is available in a range of different sizes. Great for storing all your outdoor essentials, from gardening equipment to outdoor furniture, these sheds offer smart storage wherever you need them. Available from za.keter.com 

Pimp your shed

These new accessories from Keter make internal shed organization a breeze and are compatible with most models of Keter sheds. The Multi Hanger is designed to store multiple long handled tools, and the wall-mountable Shelving Kit 100 features three strong shelves that can hold up to 30 kg each, freeing up valuable floor space inside your shed. See za.keter. com for more info and to purchase online. 

Innovative watering devices

Invented, designed, engineered, and manufactured in South Africa, Wedgit’s water-wise range of garden spray nozzles, hoses, and couplings is not only engineered to deal with local conditions but also takes watering your garden to the next level. The twist-and-lock range includes spray nozzles and tap connectors, so with a simple twist-and-lock, it takes no effort to fix or uncouple a hose from a tap. For the whole range, check out the website. www.vermontsales.co.za 

Sharpen and more

One of the joys of gardening is using a properly sharpened tool. Now, you can do this yourself with the Multi-Sharp range of sharpening tools for all types of scissors, secateurs, loppers, and knives. They use tungsten carbide to get a new edge in just a short time. For this excellent range of products, visit the website. www.vermontsales.co.za