Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2016 i The Gardener Magazine

September is the month when everything happens for the gardening world, and I so hope that by the time you read this we have finally had some much-needed rain to give us all some hope. If not, please don’t stop planting – it will come! And when it does come, please don’t immediately forget all the great water-saving tips that we all learnt and practised to get through the drought. Another drought will arrive at some time, so it’s great to keep practising responsible gardening! For more tips on gardening with limited water, read our fascinating article on ‘xeriscaping’ (gardening without the need for supplemental irrigation). (See Xeriscape on page 28!) I recently had the privilege of attending Blackwood’s new garden centre in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, which they refer to as…

Watched carefully by horticulturists and landscapers worldwide, the trends that emerge at the Chelsea Flower Show will be followed by the industry next year There were several trends this year that we can apply to our own gardens. These are our top ten: Water saving Highlighting the scarcity of water was a big trend this year, with many designers opting for dry gardens using lots of gravel and plants that cope with the heat and require less water. There was a conservative use of water in many gardens, and often the water features recycled their water around the scheme. Over-the-top colour Riotous colour, almost too much for the eye, featured strongly in a few gardens, both in planting and in colourful accessories like the orange-painted container in the Greening Great…

Water-Minimal Landscaping Gravel mulch helps retain moisture, keeping plant roots cool and hydrated while also complementing drought-tolerant plantings. Porous pipe irrigation below soil level can be used during extreme drought conditions. The system is highly water efficient and runs at very low water pressure directly from the rainwater storage tank. Soil condition is improved through the addition of organic matter to improve moisture retention and healthy plant growth. A rainwater storage tank can be connected to a porous pipe irrigation system. Rainwater is collected from the roof via gutters and downpipes and stored to use when needed. Drought-tolerant planting reduces the need for artificial irrigation as plants are naturally adapted to dry or low water conditions. Geotextiles help to retain soil moisture, inhibit weed incursion and keep gravel separate from…

Crocosmia Commonly known as falling stars, these bulbs make a pretty display of little orange flowers dangling from long stems. Eight species are indigenous to South Africa, and are mostly found in the eastern parts of the country. In nature, crocosmias are most abundant in forest margins, on stream banks and in wooded kloofs, so are ideal for sections of the garden in dappled shade. They grow 70-90cm high and are planted in spring and into summer for a vibrant display in December to March. Because of their long stems and the abundance of blooms per stem, these plants make for great summer vase displays as cut flowers. Eucomis For an accent plant in flower borders and containers, you can’t go wrong with the varieties of Eucomis, or pineapple flowers…

Kew Botanic Gardens Director J.D. Hooker described Crinum moorei in 1874 from plants that had been raised there from seed introduced to the Glasnevin Botanic Gardens near Dublin, Ireland, thought to have been collected by an English army employee at an unrecorded location in the interior of KwaZulu-Natal. The species was named for the curator of Glasnevin, Dr David Moore (1807-1879), who found them to be perfectly hardy when planted out in the open without any protection. It was one of the first crinums to be cultivated in Europe, and in 1886 the English plant breeder C.B. Powell crossed it with the Orange River lily Crinum bulbispermum to produce the widely cultivated pink hybrid Crinum x Powellii. The forest crinum is a deciduous species native to coastal and inland parts…

It is the start of a new season, but don’t be in a rush. Take time to enrich the soil, stagger your sowing, and keep pests and weeds under control. As the Chinese say: ”The footsteps of the farmer make the plants grow”. September usually starts slowly with cool days and the possibility of one last frost. With each week, the weather gets warmer and there is more to do in the garden. Good to know A watering can or hose fitted with a fine rose will not wash away the seedlings. Always start and end the watering away from the bed as the large drips flatten the seedlings. Week 1 If you didn’t do it last month, use the first week of spring for basic garden tasks. Bag compost…

Open Gardens Gauteng Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 Gardens of the Golden City Sandspruit River Trail, Rivonia Due to popular demand, we again invite you to enjoy the first days of spring on this wonderfully secure and well-tended section of the Sandspruit River. Refreshments will be available, or you are welcome to bring a picnic. 10:00-17:00 Entrance: Adults R30, children under 12 free Enquiries: Lynne 082 689 0930, www.gardensofthegoldencity.co.za Eastern Cape Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 October The Pam Golding Properties Gardens of East London East London Tickets available from the Pam Golding offices, 34 Pearce Street, Berea, East London. All proceeds go to local charities. Enquiries: 082 779 9004 Events Gauteng Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 The East Rand Orchid Society Spring Show GardenShop at Flora Farm, c/o North…

There I was, extraction fan in hand, and lying in a puddle of sheep fat. While jotting down a spring action plan, I was looking for a lovely spring quote as inspiration and found this one by Robin Williams: “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘let’s party!”. If this saying is true, why do I feel so left out and why am I not suitably dolled up in my party dress? The fact that I wrote this in mid-winter, while I was feeling that spring was never going to arrive, might have had something to do with my doom and gloom. (I’m not sure if I am allowed to tell you this, but The Gardener is written a few months ahead of time – we’re already looking forward to 2017!).…

SHOW BUZZ! This year we have exciting new developments with the addition of the Spirit of Spring Canine Spectacular where more than 600 purebred dogs of various breeds will be judged by three internationally-renowned judges over the three days, with the ‘Spirit of Spring Garden Show Champion’ presented on the Sunday. In addition to the show dogs, there will be agility, dog carting, a dancing with dogs display, and lots more to enjoy. Hall 2 will be filled with everything pet related, including lots of exciting goodies to spoil your pets with. ‘Fashion Fantasy in flowers’ is a not-to-be-missed addition to The Witness Garden Show calendar. It includes the first glimpse of the keynote gardens, a fashion show of living couture, cheese and wine, music and dance. This event will…

Fairy magnolias Keith Kirsten has launched a pretty ‘Fairy Magnolia’range in white, blush and cream. Flowering in early spring, these magnolias produce masses of beautiful fragrant flowers. The plants are bushy with rich evergreen foliage, which makes them ideal in the garden as a flowering hedge or specimen plant. They perform well in a range of soil types, but prefer well worked friable soils; avoid very heavy, water-logged conditions. They perform best when given moderate moisture levels over summer, but can handle drier conditions once established. Occasional deep watering is recommended. In a garden, feed annually after flowering with a general fertiliser and in pots feed in spring and autumn with a slow-release fertiliser. The new Hibiscus collection The brightest colours can be seen in these new hibiscus shrubs from…

ROSA National Rose Convention A total immersion in roses – that’s what is in store for rose lovers at next month’s ROSA National Rose Convention at the Wanderers Golf Club in Johannesburg, from 13 to 16 October. The programme includes visits to beautiful rose gardens, a rose competition to select the best rose on show, a gala rose dinner, and the good company of people who love roses. The Gold Reef Rose Society are the organisers. For more information about the convention and how to register or to enter the rose show contact John Benfield (john.benfield@webmail.co.za) or Barbara Wood (woodb@iafrica.com) or 083 985 8632 at the Gold Reef Rose Society. The hard work of pruning has been done and, like us gardeners, the roses are impatient to get growing, so…

“In spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt” –Margaret Atwood, Canadian author Do this 1. Mow the lawn very short. If you see bare soil and runners you are on the right track. Please note: Not all lawn types should be scarified (cut) so drastically. The types which should just be mown at the length you would normally do include cool season lawns like ‘Kentucky Blue’, tuft-type perennial grasses or blended mixes like ‘All Season’s Evergreen’ or ‘Shade Over’; and tropical lawn types like ‘Berea’ or Durban grass. 2. After mowing, rake the lawn across and down to remove the old dead mat. 3. Take a hollow-tine, or ordinary garden fork and drive it into the turf every 20-30cm or so, working the prongs down…

Why the love affair? The flavour of fresh dill has been described as soft and sweet, or warm and mild, with just the slightest fragrance of anise. Although they look similar, fennel leaves have a much stronger taste and aroma and are not recommended as a substitute for dill. Dried dill is often referred to as dill weed. Ancient origins Dill is derived from the old Norse word ‘della’ which means ‘to lull’. Throughout the Scandinavian countries, crushed dill seeds are infused in hot water and used to treat adults and children for indigestion. It is known as old-fashioned dill water or ‘gripe water’. Growing dill Dill is an annual that grows into a graceful 1.2m-high plant, with feathery deep green leaves with pretty yellow flower heads. To keep plants…

To make these pot stands you will first need to take measurements of your pots. We used a set of three differently sized Cylinder Planter pots from Keter, made from resin in a rattan style. The stands are made to hold all three pots 300mm off the ground, and reach to 140mm from the top of each pot. The following dimensions fit these pots. What you will need Meranti wood cut to: Small pot: 275mm (diameter) x 280mm (height) 4 x 34mm x 34mm x 410mm 2 x 44mm x 22mm x 280mm Medium pot: 350mm (diameter) x 360mm (height) 4 x 34mm x 34mm x 520mm 2 x 44mm x 22mm x 355mm Large pot: 430mm (diameter) x 440mm (height) 4 x 34mm x 34mm x 600mm 2 x…

Small townhouse gardens are the order of the day, but all gardens, irrespective of size or scale, benefit from having trees growing in them. Trees provide shade and privacy while adding depth and perspective to the overall effect of the landscape. Furthermore, trees and shrubbery create a habitat that encourages birds into suburbia, enhancing the natural aspect of the outdoor living area. Here are three different trees that suit the needs of the smaller garden. Buddleja saligna (false olive) This attractive, evergreen indigenous tree has leaves that resemble those of the wild olive, hence the common name. It’s widely distributed from the Cape northwards to Zimbabwe and is suitable for growing in most climates, except for extremely cold areas where young plants may get frosted. The lance-shaped leaves vary in…

Impatiens is still the most colourful solution for shady summer gardens. It is just a matter of timing, if you want to plant the traditional bedding impatiens, or try something new, such as the interspecific varieties that deliver the best of both worlds. Nor should the tropical beauty of New Guinea impatiens be forgotten, especially from midsummer onwards when they tolerate anything that the weather throws at them. With their large flowers and foliage (often bronze coloured) they deliver a big splash of colour. It is all in the timing Bedding impatiens (Impatiens walleriana aka ‘busy lizzies’) is only susceptible to downy mildew when hot humid days give way to cool nights because of long rainy spells. The fungus is triggered by an abrupt change in temperature. Once plants are…

FLOWERING TIMES JANUARY Liliums, dahlias, celosias and lisianthus FEBRUARY Steer clear of red roses during Valentine’s month, as they will cost a fortune. Stick to hydrangeas, which will be mature and fading into very interesting colours on the plants – invaluable if you don’t want to use a lot of greenery. They are very compatible with steely grey echeveria rosettes. MARCH Florist’s roses will be much cheaper again, and those in the garden will be pretty. Zinnias, sunflowers and cosmos will bloom alongside lots of salvias, like Salvia leucantha. APRIL Consider some early flowering protea varieties and other fynbos greenery like leucadendron, combined with chrysanthemums. MAY Choose ericas, autumn leaves, bark, winter fruit such as pomegranates and persimmons, and the grey foliage of Stoebe plumosa (slangbos). As it is Mother’s…

What to plant for summer There is a large selection of seeds to sow this month, including beans, brinjals, carrots, celery, chillies, cucumbers, lettuce, melons, mealies, peas, radishes, sweet peppers, tomatoes, rhubarb, Swiss chard and squashes. Add plenty of herb varieties too. Sowing seeds in trays An average family only needs about 6-8 tomato bushes and limited quantities of brinjals, sweet peppers and chillies at a time, and it is more economical to sow smaller quantities in trays. Plastic seedling trays are economical to use and perfectly designed for this purpose. A commercial seedling mix should be used rather than potting soil – seedling mix is finer and allows the small seeds to germinate easily. • Fill the seed trays with seedling mix, then water and allow it to drain.…