Bidens Ferulifolia – Beggartick
October 25, 2022 3:14 pmBidens ferulifolia is a lovely treat for pollinators. In the olden days we planted Bidens ferulifolia (beggartick) on a whim…
Boost Your Biodiversity
July 15, 2022 3:34 pmHow to invite wildlife into your garden. Sustainability is a buzzword that is all over social media. Companies use the…
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…
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 regret…
Russelia equisetiformis
January 16, 2019 8:57 am‘Firecracker’ This vibrant plant, Russelia Equisetiformis, is made up of clusters of scarlet tubular flowers; resembling small firecrackers, that provide…
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…
Rothmannia globosa
January 11, 2018 11:58 amSeptember Bells Rothmannia globosa is decorative ornamental shrub or small tree grows to a height of 6 m in a…
Pavetta lanceolata
January 8, 2018 2:27 pmForest Bride’s Bush, Weeping Bride’s Bush Pavetta is a hardy, evergreen shrub with dense glossy green leaves and large, dramatic…
Plectranthus ciliatus
January 8, 2018 1:42 pmWhite Wild Sage There is a huge variety of Plectranthus species, most of which are shade lovers. Beautiful dark green…
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 grown…
Orphium frutescens
January 8, 2018 12:44 pmSea Rose Orphium Frutescens is a small, erect-stemmed shrub (growing to 90 cm tall) with bright green, leathery leaves. It…
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 in…
Lotus berthelotii
January 8, 2018 8:25 amParrot’s Beak This unusual and yet striking plant originates from the Canary and Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.…
Heliotropium arborescens
December 20, 2017 11:09 amGarden Heliotrope Another striking plant in all its glory at this time of the year is the continuously- flowering Heliotrope,…
Geranium incanum
December 20, 2017 8:32 amCarpet Geraniums True Geraniums or Crane’s Bills – from the Greek word geranos, a crane, owing to its fruit which…
Grewia Occidentalis
December 20, 2017 8:15 amCross-Berry The Cross Berry forms a shrub or small tree that grows up to 3 metres tall and 2 metres…
Ficus trichopoda
December 19, 2017 10:25 amHippopotamus Fig or Swamp Fig From a bird-attracting perspective, this wild fig species ranks amongst the very best of the…
Dissotis canescens
December 18, 2017 1:00 pmThe cosmopolitan family Melastomataceae is a very large group of more than 3 000 species of perennials, climbers, shrubs and…
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,…
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…
Ochna serrulata
November 20, 2017 2:27 pmCarnival Bush, Mickey Mouse Bush The Mickey Mouse bush is a stunning garden subject that will eventually grow about 1.8…
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 bloom…
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…
Birds of Paradise
January 15, 2016 7:51 amStrelitzias… Mother Nature’s incredible sculptures! From autumn to spring, when beautiful boat-shaped spathes crested by bright orange sepals and deep-blue…
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…
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 this…
Monanthotaxis caffra
August 31, 2015 8:53 amDwaba Berry, Dwababessie Type: Medium shrub, 2m.Form: Woody scrambler with sparse foliage.Flowers: Insignificant cream flowers, from December to March.Why plant…
Insect Hotels and Indigenous Plant Snacks
July 29, 2015 11:37 amThe way to attract wildlife to your garden is to provide comfortable insect homes and delicious meals. Insect hotels are…
Halleria Lucida
July 27, 2015 10:11 amTree Fuchsia, umBinza or Notsung This small evergreen tree, known as the Halleria Lucida, or Tree Fuchsia, grows to 5…
Ericas – Simply Irresistible
July 23, 2015 11:11 amThe exceptional beauty and diversity of their floral form make Ericas irresistible to gardeners; these three species are well suited…
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 brighter…
Gaillardia Galya
July 14, 2015 8:21 amWild Fire Blanket Flower Gaillardia or Blanket Flowers, are perennial daisies. They are valued for their extended flowering season, blooming…
Freylinia lanceolata
July 14, 2015 7:48 amHoneybells, Honeybell Bush Freylinia Lanceolata is described by some gardeners as a rather wild and untidy plant, but it has…
Dombeya rotundifolia
May 11, 2015 9:05 amWild Pear Dombeya Rotundifolia, one of the most attractive and reliable of the indigenous trees suitable for suburban gardens, has…
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,…
Cynara scolymus
April 23, 2015 6:29 amGlobe Artichoke The Globe Artichoke is perhaps more commonly associated with the vegetable garden because the flower buds are usually…
Cotyledon Orbiculata
March 27, 2015 10:50 amPig’s Ear, Elk’s Horn, or Round-Leafed Navel-Wort Succulent plants are still extremely popular in the garden fashion stakes, especially during periods…
Clerodendrum nutans
March 26, 2015 10:46 amNodding Clerodendrum, Bridal Veil There is no need to mourn the end of summer when splendid autumn flowerers like Clerodendrum Nutans…
Butterflies in your Garden
March 25, 2015 6:23 amGardening trends have changed a lot in the last 20 years. When I first came to South Africa, in 1980,…
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…
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 Argentina…
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