Prepare for brilliance
July 15, 2025 10:09 amBedding plants have a special place in my heart. There’s something about the vibrant colours and instant impact they bring…
Colour, Texture, and Pollinators – This Duo Has It All
June 30, 2025 1:23 pmIt only takes two wonderful modern hybrids of old garden favourites to prepare a garden and containers for an unforgettable…
All About Gauras
June 4, 2025 3:33 pmRead in Afrikaans The delicate appearance of gauras (formerly Gaura lindheimeri, now Oenothera lindheimeri) is somewhat misleading. This native from…
How To Sow Bokbaaivygies
June 2, 2025 4:33 pmRead in Afrikaans There is no more cheerful sight than a patch of one of our most famous wildflowers, the…
A winter wonderland in annuals
May 14, 2025 10:44 amJoin Freddie to find out what’s new and trending in the world of bedding plants. Waves of colour can transform…
When the Flowers Wake
May 12, 2025 1:02 pmA Story of Life, Light, and Visitors in Namaqua National Park Every year, when the rain remembers to fall and…
Cooler Days Ahead? Give your patio pots the perfect seasonal refresh!
May 5, 2025 8:51 amRejuvenate your patio, balcony and garden pots with a choice of the best plants on offer in May and June!…
Best Autumn Roses
April 29, 2025 5:07 pmRead in Afrikaans March and April are like a second spring for the rose garden. Autumn roses are at their…
The Indigenous Autumn and Winter Garden
April 29, 2025 3:32 pmRead in Afrikaans Elsa Pooley, the botanist, artist and author gives us insight and planting tips about native plants that…
Fragrant Summer Flowers
February 27, 2025 10:10 amA garden is not only about sight but also about scent. The best fragrant plants perform their magic in summertime.…
Plant a striking combo. Meet your new favorite autumn ensemble!
February 19, 2025 9:56 amAnchor a charming ‘Jennifer Susan’ in a prime spot with morning sun and afternoon shade, dot a few royal ‘Magic…
Plant a colour explosion! Easy plants for your garden.
January 10, 2025 9:18 amAngelic angel wings and a dwarf morning glory can keep colour all around you from spring to autumn, and will…
The best of summer
December 20, 2024 7:43 amJoin Freddie to find out what’s new and trending in the world of bedding plants. These Flowering Favourites are available…
Mid-Summer Fillers
December 18, 2024 5:25 pmRead in Afrikaans Turbo-boost your summer garden beds with strikingly colourful and easy-to-grow filler plants. These beauties are perfect when…
Salvias To Love
December 18, 2024 4:26 pmIf you are aiming for flower-filled borders all summer long, aim straight for the salvia displays in your local nursery…
Long – Haul blooms!
November 29, 2024 11:40 amConsistent flowering and easy to grow, is what HibisQs is all about. Summer is synonymous with alluring hibiscus flowers covering…
Seasonal garden stars
November 21, 2024 12:17 pmJoin Freddie to find out what’s new and trending in the world of bedding plants. These Flowering Favourites are available…
November Gardening Tasks
November 5, 2024 11:25 amAs the South African sun ushers in a vibrant November, gardeners, get ready to paint your outdoor canvas with summer’s…
October Gardening Tasks
October 3, 2024 10:09 amOctober in the garden means lovely soft coloured flowers and heady fragrances, as nature paints the landscape with a palette…
Creative Garden Tweaks
September 1, 2024 12:10 pmThe sap has risen; blossoms abound and new leaves are unfurling. Enjoy the gentle beauty of spring and tackle the…
September Gardening Tasks
August 26, 2024 8:25 amIt may still be a little chilly but by September, you know that spring has arrived! The days are getting…
August Gardening Tasks
August 1, 2024 3:45 pmWith the passing of the longest night and shortest day now behind us (thank goodness!), there are only good things…
Fight Back Against Frost
June 30, 2024 1:09 pmRead in Afrikaans When temperatures drop to 0°C or lower and the frost arrives, we like to bundle up inside…
July Gardening Tasks
June 26, 2024 3:57 pmJuly is deep winter for us in South Africa, but that just means it’s one step closer to spring and…
The Four Ps of Spring
June 25, 2024 11:48 amRead in Afrikaans There are four annuals with pretty petals and names starting with the letter ‘P’, we often refer…
June Gardening Tasks
June 1, 2024 10:53 amJune is South Africa means winter is at our doorstep, the days are getting shorter and colder making it harder…
May Gardening Tasks
May 1, 2024 6:18 am‘Winter is coming.’ The now-famous line from Game of Thrones is also true of gardening, so get your seeds sown:…
April Gardening Tasks
April 1, 2024 12:27 pmApril in Africa means warm and mild weather that most of us gardeners love. Working in the garden is a…
Transform Your Lawn
March 18, 2024 3:06 pmA lawn is so much more than a liability that needs weekly mowing. Treat it right and it can turn…
March Gardening Tasks
March 1, 2024 9:59 amWith the long summer months slowly passing into the cooler and calm autumn days of March, it is time plan…
February Gardening Tasks
February 1, 2024 1:30 pmFebruary in South Africa is one of the best months to enjoy your garden, but it is also one of…
Summer Colour In A Pot
January 30, 2024 2:15 pmLet’s take a look at this beautiful ‘summer colour in a pot’! The plants in this group all love the…
January Gardening Tasks
January 1, 2024 12:54 pmJanuary, the start of the new year falls right in the middle of the summer season in South Africa. This…
December Lawn Care Tips
November 24, 2023 3:25 pmIf you are spending the holidays at home, chances are good that you are going to want the greenest and…
Summer-Flowering Bulbs
October 11, 2023 10:44 amAdd a touch of extra colour to a summer garden with these summer-flowering bulbs that can be planted in late…
Sowing Spring Cut Flowers
October 4, 2023 11:42 amAs soon as the last chill of winter has passed, you can start sowing flower seeds in trays. Growing your…
Flowers For Your Spring Garden
September 13, 2023 11:58 amRead in Afrikaans When spring arrives, so should masses of flowers in the garden. These stunning plants are all in…
Freddie’s Flowering Favourites – Petunias & Calibrachoas
May 31, 2023 11:05 amHanging basket tips: It’s time to plant lots of glorious colour and there is no better than petunias and calibrachoas…
Why Leaves Change Colour in Autumn
May 15, 2023 9:06 amHave you ever wondered why certain trees change leaf colour in autumn, and why some leaves are more red or…
Time For Hardwood Cuttings
May 9, 2023 1:03 pmMany deciduous shrubs and trees can be propagated from hardwood cuttings – an easy and fulfilling job to do. Which…
Garden with us this Winter
April 26, 2023 1:21 pmWinter is a busy time in the garden with the change in season and plants need to be set up…
Bright Shades Of Autumn
March 1, 2023 10:50 amThey are referred to as evergreen plants, but they are not quite ‘green’. These plants stand out in a garden…
Pruning in March
February 28, 2023 12:02 pmWith the long summer months slowly passing into the cooler and calm autumn days, it is time to take stock…
3 Happiness Flowers
January 23, 2023 10:57 amSome of midsummer’s flowers are like garden Prozac. Being amongst them has the ability to turn anxiety and a ‘down’…
Dazzling Summer Florals
December 14, 2022 10:12 amThese three plants will dazzle in the summer months. Fuchsia ‘Sundancer’ For a potted plant that flowers for several months,…
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…
Bidens Ferulifolia – Beggartick
October 25, 2022 3:14 pmPlant some Bidens for last and fast late-summer colour pops in hanging baskets, window boxes, pots and flower beds! In…
Spring’s Most Glorious Flowers
October 25, 2022 2:58 pmThere is a good reason why we get so hyped up about spring! Feast your eyes on 10 spring shrubs…
Sizzling Summer Flowers
October 24, 2022 11:29 amDaisy power For the strongest flower power in a daisy, plant Leucanthemum ‘Daisy May’. This shasta daisy has large, snow-white…
Grow A Summer-Worthy Lawn
August 5, 2022 6:55 pmA few actions in early spring will energise your lawn to be the best that it can be all summer…
The Latest On Hydrangeas!
July 8, 2022 9:49 amGone are the days when mophead hydrangeas only flowered for a few short weeks around Christmas. They now stay with…
Ways With Autumn Leaves
May 12, 2022 11:27 amRead in Afrikaans Fallen autumn leaves may mean a bit more work, but they are free and make good compost…
How To Prepare for Frost
May 11, 2022 3:33 pmInvest in frost fleece/cloth to cover seedlings and tender vegetables. If a severe frost is predicted it is worth covering…
Tender Plant Care for Autumn
April 11, 2022 2:23 pmRead in Afrikaans It’s coming up to the time of the year when tender plant care is a must! Look…
Go Local With These Indigenous Bulbs
March 9, 2022 9:56 amSome of South Africa’s most beautiful spring-flowering bulbs are ready for planting in April, so it’s time to order them…
Cardinal Lobelias
December 1, 2021 2:48 pmWe all know of the lobelias that are neatly mounded for edge planting or trailing for hanging baskets. Those are…
Surviving the Holidays
November 30, 2021 2:44 pmDecember is holiday month and gardening generally goes into holding mode. Getting away for a week or more means the…
December Checklist
November 24, 2021 4:25 pmHere’s your December Checklist of things to do in the heavy summer months to maintain your garden and keep it…
Holiday gardening!
November 16, 2021 12:14 pmNow is a great time to get your home and garden ready for holiday visitors, so here are some pots…
October in your garden
November 9, 2021 9:28 pmHere’s your October checklist and a quick guide to remind you what to do in your garden in October. Seedling…
Winners Of The Mayford Spring Kaleidoscope Competition!
November 3, 2021 9:29 amA few months ago we kicked off the MayFord Spring Kaleidoscope Competition where gardeners sowed a packet of MayFord flowering seed, looked…
Live Outside This Summer!
November 1, 2021 10:47 pmMove your lifestyle outdoors and make the most of the warm weather with Keter. No matter what part of the…
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 indigenous…
101 Spring Tips
September 13, 2021 3:56 pm1. Creative succulents Create stunning containers by mixing succulents with different textures, colours, and shapes. These fleshy plants are tough…
The Grass is Growing!
August 24, 2021 10:09 amDon’t let the grass grow under your feet this summer! With the joy of the recent rain, soil temperature has…
27 Winter Maintenance Jobs
July 9, 2021 8:52 pmOdd jobs to do now at your address… Regular winter maintenance to keep the house and garden in good nick…
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!”,…
Cinerarias – Nothing Short of Spectacular
June 10, 2021 1:43 pmThere are not many annuals that bloom through cold weather, and that bloom better the colder it gets. Cinerarias (Senecio…
Autumn Hanging Baskets
June 7, 2021 8:56 pmAlthough spring is synonymous with bright floral hanging baskets, they can actually be hanging around in cool seasons too, with…
Autumn in Bloom – Autumn Flowering
June 3, 2021 11:57 amAutumn is often called the second spring because there are so many garden flowers in bloom at this time. Not…
The Autumn Clean Up
May 18, 2021 3:07 pmJust as April is a month for planting, it is also a month for a good autumn clean up, clearing…
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…
Balcony bulbs
April 26, 2021 9:42 amImagine a little balcony or patio decorated with pots filled with flowering daffodils and tulips in spring, and imagine windowsills…
Important Information for a Successful Autumn Season
March 1, 2021 9:02 amAutumn is a time of change, of days becoming shorter and nights longer. The weather is still warm but has…
Cover Crops For the Soil
February 22, 2021 10:08 amThe ancient rhythm of cultivating vegetables has been one of work and rest, not just for the gardener but for…
December Gift Guide
November 30, 2020 5:26 pmFor plant and garden lovers, check out our selection of wonderful gifts to choose from. Get what you REALLY want…
Garden Day 2020
September 15, 2020 3:33 pmGarden Day returns for a virtual celebration of our beloved green spaces Inspirational flower crown ambassadors, a packed calendar of…
Colour in the sky
September 4, 2020 1:13 pm6 spring classics for hanging baskets To celebrate the arrival of spring, why not try your hand at planting some…
Preparing For Summer Rains
September 1, 2020 2:56 pmSouth Africa can take a sudden turn if you are not prepared. In large proportions of the interior, weather conditions…
Violas
August 7, 2020 12:43 pmViolas are irresistible. They are petite, fragrant, flowers without any fuss and come in every colour of the rainbow. What…
6 Indigenous Bulbs to Plant
May 5, 2020 12:04 pmA colourful, fragrant spring garden is incomplete without bulbs. Whether in pots or flowerbeds, indoors or outdoors, bulbs are guaranteed…
Gazanias Galore!
November 26, 2019 11:23 amWant to add colour to your succulent garden? Don’t know what to plant in your sandy soil? Looking for a…
7 Summer Roses
October 3, 2019 12:16 pmWith our strong summer sun, the summer roses that show up best and hold their colour are those with blooms…
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,…
Pruning roses for better blooms
July 2, 2019 3:18 pmWhat do you expect from your roses? Do you want large, perfect blooms for picking or do you prefer masses…
Pansies To Brighten Your Garden
June 12, 2019 9:03 amPansies are the easiest way to add colour to the winter and spring garden! Nothing matches their charm, or the…
Exciting Cyclamens
May 7, 2019 12:27 pmAdd some colour to your garden this winter with cyclamens! Cyclamens are always a winter favourite due to their long…
End of the Season Rose Care
May 2, 2019 9:51 amBy May the rose season is almost at an end and you can look back with satisfaction (or score 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…
6 Flowers to Plant Now For a Spectacular Spring
February 18, 2019 8:00 amRead in Afrikaans Many of the most important spring flowers need to be planted out as young seedlings in autumn.…
Hibiscus Graff
December 12, 2018 9:15 amHibiscus Graff is a new species of an improved Hibiscus series, with longer lasting flowers. The series formerly known as…
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…
5 Bulbs to Plant this Autumn
April 9, 2018 2:58 pmBulbous plants have been cultivated for centuries, primarily for their spectacular spring or summer floral display. Autumn is an important…
Exuberant sun lovers
February 19, 2018 2:07 pmWe picked a large pot and filled it with some exuberant sun lovers to lead you joyfully through the quiet…
Potted Spring
February 16, 2018 11:05 amTo celebrate spring and inspire you to play with colour, Tanya and I spent a happy, flower-filled afternoon in her…
A cheery winter trio
February 16, 2018 10:36 amColourful winter annuals and perennials are not scarce at this time of the year. We went shopping and found lots…
Pots of Autumn drama
February 16, 2018 9:42 amSpring and summer inspire potting recipes that are frivolous, flowery and colourful but autumn and winter are seasons needing a…
Surprise Spring Pot
February 14, 2018 3:47 pmJuly is a great time to plant up pots and containers for a spring pot display of the highest order.…
Boxed-in Summer
February 8, 2018 2:45 pmIt’s high summer and the nurseries are filled to the brim with pots and punnets of annuals and perennials in…
Sedum spectabile
January 11, 2018 1:07 pmSedum spectabile is a rewarding, easy-to-grow herbaceous perennial with succulent foliage, which originates from China and Korea. Commonly known as…
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…
Marsdenia floribunda
January 11, 2018 12:44 pmMadagascar Jasmine Marsdenia floribunda is a member of the Apocynaceae family and is classified as a vigorous climber with very strong stems. This…
Sutherlandia frutescens
January 11, 2018 12:36 pmCancer Bush, Kankerbossie, Gansies Sutherlandia Frutescens, a small shrub, which can be upright or semi-decumbent (the stems grow parallel to…
Summer pests and diseases
January 11, 2018 10:55 amSummer is a busy time of year in our gardens. The weather is very unpredictable during these months and can…
Malcolmia maritima
January 8, 2018 11:06 amVirginia Stock, French Forget-me-Not As gardeners, we are always in search of fragrance so it’s a mystery why the sweetly-scented Virginian…
Leucanthemum – Shasta Daisies
January 8, 2018 8:47 amThe Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) is every gardener’s favourite summer perennial, because it flowers non-stop and never gives its…
Leonotis leonurus
January 8, 2018 8:17 amLeonotis leonurus (wild dagga or lion’s ear) is a breathtakingly beautiful shrub which is willing to grow in a variety…
Cactus
December 15, 2017 12:01 pmThe benefits of displaying indoor plants in our homes are huge. Plants are a décor tool, moisturiser, therapist, climate improver…
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.…
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,…
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,…
Antirrhinum Majus
December 13, 2017 3:04 pmThe ‘Snapdragon’ For gardeners wanting an easy growing winter annual it is worth re-stating all the good qualities of Antirrhinum…
Adenium Obesum
December 13, 2017 2:38 pmImpala Lily, Desert Rose or Sabi Star Adenium Obesum, sometimes called Adenium Multiflorum, is an interesting, or unusual grey to…
Acer palmatum
December 13, 2017 2:33 pmJapanese Maple Acer Palmatum originates from China, Korea and Japan, and has become one of the most popular deciduous trees…
Frost Resistant Veggie Trellis
December 12, 2017 8:30 amIn the cold, frosty parts of the country, winter can wreak havoc on your vegetables and garden plants. Many are…
Topiaries for Christmas
November 27, 2017 1:17 pmThis year do something a little different for your Christmas tree – a topiary. Here’s a selection of top plants…
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 Central…
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 climate…
Spring Gardening
October 3, 2017 1:10 pmWinter is history and the time has come to prepare for spring gardening. Whether you have a large garden with…
Autumn Gardening
April 19, 2017 11:53 amAUTUMN – a busy time of year for gardening enthusiasts! The crisp morning air and longer nights is a sign…
Summer Lawn Care
February 6, 2017 1:17 pmFertilising your Lawn Question: If lawns are fertilised regularly, do they require mowing more often than lawns that have not…
The Kindest Cut – Roses
January 18, 2016 6:49 amThis beautiful display of roses is one of the rewards of winter pruning, along with good soil enrichment, watering and…
Storing Winter Bulbs
January 15, 2016 7:44 amWhen your winter bulbs have finished flowering and the leaves have died back it is time to dig them up…
Spring is a Good time to Aerate your Lawn
January 15, 2016 7:28 amSpiking your lawn with a garden fork (to aerate your lawn) will boost its growth and spring is the best…
Happy Spring
July 27, 2015 10:14 amAll the lovely fragrances of spring waft along as the season gracefully bows in, the heavily scented blooms reminding me…
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…
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…
Nandina domestica
August 21, 2014 7:07 pmNandina, Heavenly Bamboo, Sacred Bamboo For Autumn colour there is nothing to beat Nandina Domestica and its cousins. The lacy leaves change…
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 delicate…
Brunfelsia Pauciflora ‘Floribunda’
August 21, 2014 10:18 amWherever a yesterday, today and tomorrow – Brunfelsia Pauciflora ‘Floribunda’ – grows there will be the sweet and unmistakable scent…
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. It…
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