How To Plant A Tree
April 18, 2024 2:35 pmAutumn is perfect for tree planting, and doing it correctly will have a positive impact years later. So let’s take…
Small Tree Care
August 29, 2023 10:45 amRead in Afrikaans Growing small trees in pots Planting and growing small trees in pots is a rewarding way to…
Small Trees For Small Spaces
August 25, 2023 3:42 pmRead in Afrikaans Perennials may be the backbone of garden beds, but trees should be considered the backbone of the…
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’
February 23, 2022 2:44 pmMagnolia grandiflora, as its name suggests, is grown around the world as a large and magnificent ornamental tree, known for…
Caring about trees
January 10, 2022 2:44 pmYou can change your mind about any other plant by simply replacing it with something else. But changing your mind…
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…
Conifers: Timeless Evergreens
June 17, 2021 8:10 pmCould conifers be making a strong comeback? Conifers are an important group of largely evergreen plants that grow in many…
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…
How To Grow Lemon Trees
February 23, 2021 9:46 pmEvery garden needs at least one lemon tree. Here’s how to grow lemon trees successfully! These acidic yet aromatic fruits…
Lemons
April 8, 2020 1:26 pmEvery garden needs a lemon tree The lemon tree has a number of attributes that qualifies it for inclusion in…
Three small indigenous trees
December 18, 2018 12:43 pmLees in Afrikaans Gardens around the globe are shrinking in size, necessitating the planting of smaller trees and shrubs to…
Bridelia Micrantha
November 27, 2018 12:13 pmMitzeeri or Coastal Golden Leaf Bridelia Micrantha is a medium to large deciduous tree (can reach 20m, though normally 8…
Quercus palustris
November 27, 2018 12:10 pmPin Oak The Quercus palustris is a tall (25m), stately, deciduous tree of North American origin that has adapted to…
Black Diamond Crape Myrtle
February 28, 2018 9:01 amIf you’re looking for something different to plant, take a look at Black Diamond Crape Myrtle. This stunning new crape…
Pot some Azaleas
February 8, 2018 3:26 pmRhododendrons, or Azaleas as they are referred to here in South Africa, are amongst the most beautiful of all flowering…
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…
Magnolia grandiflora
January 8, 2018 11:09 amLittle Gem Magnolia grandiflora is a handsome evergreen tree that originates from the South Eastern parts of the USA. Today…
Melaleuca alternifolia
January 8, 2018 10:57 amThe Tree of Health The tea tree is an incredibly powerful medicinal plant, and beautiful too. There’s a lovely, peaceful…
Myrciaria cauliflora
January 8, 2018 10:42 amJaboticaba Myrciaria Cauliflora (Jaboticaba) is both attractive as a garden ornamental and productive, bearing an abundance of delicious fruit during…
Malus oribunda
January 8, 2018 10:31 amJapanese Crab Apple Malus Oribunda is a small, deciduous tree that is smothered in delicate blossoms during spring. The deep,…
Leucadendron argenteum
January 8, 2018 8:51 amSilver Tree, Silver Leaf Tree Silver trees are wonderful garden ornamentals. Leucadendron Argenteum, the shimmering Silver Tree, is one of…
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…
Fortunella japonica
December 19, 2017 10:28 amThe ‘Kumquat’ Tree The ‘Kumquat’ is a most useful and versatile plant that bears attractive fruit. It’s neat, compact growth…
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…
Ficus microcarpa
December 19, 2017 10:24 amIndian Laurel or Curtain Fig The medium-sized, leathery, lush green leaves of the Ficus Microcarpa plant create the perfect head…
Ficus sur
December 19, 2017 10:20 amCape Fig This large, evergreen tree provides a haven for a wide diversity of animal life. The fig family Moraceae…
Elaeagnus x ebbingei ‘Gilt Edge’
December 19, 2017 9:07 amOleaster Elaeagnus are tough, cold hardy and extremely adaptable small trees or large shrubs that have become popular garden plants…
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…
Combretum kraussii
December 15, 2017 2:12 pmForest Bushwillow The Forest Bushwillow is an attractive, deciduous tree, no matter the season. It retains its rich autumn colour…
Couroupita guianensis
December 15, 2017 1:39 pmCannonball Tree or Ayahuma The words ‘striking’ and ‘strange’ are often used to describe Cannonball Tree, a large evergreen tree…
Cyathea australis
December 15, 2017 1:09 pmRough Tree Fern The Cyathea Australis is such an elegant poolside plant, which is as graceful as our indigenous Cyathea…
Cussonia Paniculata
December 15, 2017 1:07 pmHighveld Cabbage Tree or Kiepersol Cussonia Paniculata, the ‘Highveld Cabbage Tree’ or ‘Kiepersol’, is a small, decorative and evergreen tree,…
Castanea Sativa
December 15, 2017 12:12 pmSpanish Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut These are the spiny husks of the Spanish Chestnut that are produced on large deciduous trees…
Cassia Fistula
December 15, 2017 12:11 pmGolden Shower Tree Flowering trees are amongst the most spectacular plants cultivated in gardens. Their sheer size and abundance of…
Calpurnia aurea
December 15, 2017 12:07 pmWild Laburnum The Calpurnia Aurea is one of our most rewarding small, semi-evergreen trees. It is fast growing and can…
Calodendrum capense
December 15, 2017 12:06 pmCape Chestnut Type: Large tree, 20m.Form: Single stemmed with rounded canopy. Bark grey, leaves light green and shiny.Flowers: Pink, large and scented, massed…
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,…
Acacia xanthophloea
December 14, 2017 11:55 amFever Trees Fever trees are tall and slender trees, reaching up to 12m, with a spreading but light crown 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,…
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…
Acacia sieberiana
December 13, 2017 2:26 pmPaperbark Thorn Acacia trees are an iconic symbol of the African landscape. Here in South Africa the paperbark thorn is…
Ficus Hanging Around
December 7, 2017 1:44 pmIf you visit any stockist of indoor plants you are sure to come across small potted trees called Ficus Microcarpa…
Nymania capensis
November 20, 2017 2:11 pmChinese Lantern or Klapperbos Perhaps best known by the Afrikaans common name, Klapperbos, Nymania Capensis is an upright shrub, or…
Melaleuca bracteata
November 20, 2017 1:54 pmRevolution Gold, Golden Honey Myrtle, Johannesburg Gold Affectionately known as ‘Johannesburg Gold’ by most gardeners, this has to be the most…
Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Variegata’
November 20, 2017 1:20 pmSweetgum, American Sweetgum This is a selected, variegated leaf form of the Liquidambar, which originates from parts of the Eastern…
Citrus Psylla
November 3, 2017 11:46 amThe citrus psylla causes raised, pock-like swellings on the upper surfaces of young leaves. For each swelling there is a…
Pittosporum tenuifolium
May 5, 2017 12:53 pmKōhūhū and Black Matipo Pittosporum Tenuifolium is a small evergreen tree, up to 10m. It is sometimes grown under the cultivar…
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…
Leucosidea sericea
April 4, 2017 11:37 amOldwood, Ouhout Leucosidea Sericea (Oldwood, Ouhout) is a very cold-hardy, evergreen small tree that can tolerate lots of water but…
Tanacetum vulgare
January 18, 2016 6:18 amTansy Tanacetum Vulgare is an aromatic perennial that is evergreen and frost tolerant. With its grey-green, finely divided, ferny foliage…
Syzygium pondoense
January 15, 2016 11:20 amPondo Water Wood Syzygium Pondoense (Pondo Water Wood) is a scarce indigenous species, but with a bit of luck you…
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…
Philodendrons
September 2, 2015 8:48 amThe last couple of decades have seen many hundreds of thousands of these leafy Philodendrons absorbed into gardens around the…
Myrtaceae family
September 1, 2015 11:52 amMyrtle Myrtaceae is a large family of mainly trees and shrubs, including the Myrtle, with over a hundred different genera,…
Meet the Bignonia family, both good and bad!
August 31, 2015 8:07 amMuch like human families, plant families, like the Bignonia Family, also count amongst their members both the gorgeous and the…
Magnolia x soulangeana
August 25, 2015 6:29 amSaucer Magnolia Magnolia x Soulangeana is a small, deciduous tree that grows to approximately 6 x 6 m, making it ideal…
Leucadendrons
August 17, 2015 8:48 amWe were looking for the most colourful foliage to plant and asked fynbos grower, Arnelia, to identify the five top…
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…
Garden Flowers for the Vase
July 14, 2015 8:36 amCut flowers for the Home A vase of fresh cut flowers in the home adds both a touch of class…
Freylinia Tropica
July 14, 2015 7:52 amBlue Freylinia, Waterberg Bell-Bush, Blue Splash, Blue Honey-Bell Freylinia Tropica with its delicate foliage and light mauve to pretty blue…
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…
Plumeria rubra – Frangipani
June 11, 2015 8:26 amPlumeria rubra, one of the seven or eight species of Plumeria that are found in the wild and that go…
Flowering Bonsai
June 11, 2015 8:23 amFlowering Bonsai is a vast part of Bonsai and not an easy subject to condense into one article. However, I…
Euphorbia pulcherrima
June 8, 2015 11:08 amPoinsettia Euphorbia Pulcherrima is a deciduous large shrub or small tree that has rich green leaves with dentate (toothed) margins.…
Erythrina lysistemon
June 8, 2015 10:30 amCommon Coral Tree, Lucky Bean Tree Erythrina Lysistemon, the Common Coral Tree, is deciduous, but it has the delightful habit of…
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…
Dovyalis caffra
June 1, 2015 6:50 amUmkokola, 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 amWild Pear Dombeya Rotundifolia, one of the most attractive and reliable of the indigenous trees suitable for suburban gardens, has…
Diospyros whyteana
May 8, 2015 7:57 amBladdernut The Bladdernut is one of those small trees with so many uses in both small and larger gardens. Its…
Combretum
March 27, 2015 8:51 amRed Bushwillow Gardeners sometimes complain that deciduous trees, like the Red Bushwillow, are messy, with the falling leaves requiring constant…
Camellia
March 25, 2015 7:34 amJaponica, Common Camellia or Japanese Camellia, Sasanqua, Camellia Japonica has dark green, lustrous, leathery leaves and its size varies according to…
Branching Out – A Shelf Inspired by Trees
November 25, 2014 11:38 amInspired by French designer, Olivier Dolle, our DIY Top Team make a shelf for gardening books Shopping ListPine battens in…
Cupressus Macrocarpa
August 22, 2014 6:24 am‘Gold Crest’, ‘Golden Monterey Cypress’, ‘Swane’s Gold’, ‘Pencil Pine’ Golden Monterey Cypress Conifers truly come into their own in winter.…
Indigofera jucunda
August 21, 2014 6:21 pmIndigofera jucunda is a small tree or scrambling shrub with spikes of small pink or white scented flowers on spikes…
Dais cotinifolia
August 21, 2014 6:05 pmPompom Tree The slender Pompom Tree is the perfect size for a small townhouse garden. It has a rounded crown,…
Libidibia ferrea
August 21, 2014 6:02 pmLeopard Tree Libidibia ferrea or the leopard tree, formerly known as Caesalpinia ferrea, is a slender tree hailing from subtropical…
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…
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…
Bersama Lucens
August 21, 2014 9:20 amGlossy White Ash Type: Small tree, 4m. Form: Compact multi-stemmed tree, prominent foliage. Flowers: Spikes of small, greenish flowers, from…
Apodytes Dimidiata
August 18, 2014 9:38 amWhite Pear White Pear is a bushy, evergreen tree that can easily be shaped into a slender growth form. The…
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