Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2019 i The Gardener Magazine

In a fast-paced world dictated by technology we have a tendency to turn to the natural world for solace. The calming character of nature has been known to humans for centuries and has recently developed into a new area of study – therapeutic horticulture. Although horticulture was used as far back as 2000BC to promote calmness, official studies into the mental benefits of gardening began in the 19th century. Since then, greater research has begun to suggest gardens are not just good-looking, they can be beneficial to our physical and mental wellbeing. What is therapeutic horticulture? The Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association (CHTA) defines Horticultural Therapy as ‘a formal practice that uses plants, horticultural activities and the garden landscape to promote well-being for its participants.’ Some studies – such as one…

The end of summer is hot and sultry, with many garden plants taking immense strain from the weather conditions. At times like these spring flowers are not in the forefront of the gardeners’ mind. On reflection, this harsh period is the ideal time to start thinking about and preparing for the spring garden. All the homework and planning that is carried out now will ensure that spring is filled with the finest flowers. Many of the most important spring flowers need to be planted out as young seedlings in autumn. Numerous gardeners miss the boat and then make the cardinal error of trying to play catchup when spring arrives and they see foxgloves, delphiniums, primulas, poppies and so many other beautiful blooms in other gardens. Well, the strong message here…

According to The Garden Media Group’s 2019 trends report, more folks are starting to garden according to the moon’s phases. This newfound fascination with the moon will inevitably lead to lunar influences affecting the design of things such as fashion, jewellery, home ware and garden design – we are now advised to plant in white, yellow and silver, which all glow in soft moonlight. So why not do some potting up in ‘lunar colours’? A fast gallop through the isles of a large nursery stocked with perennials and annuals produced a treasure chest of blooms and leaves perfect for a moonstruck potting recipe, as well as a lovely large silvery-grey container. The plants… Leucanthemum superbum ‘Daisy May’ is a magnificent Shasta daisy hybrid producing masses of daisies with large, pure…

WHAT YOU NEED Compost – 1 bag per square metre of soil Organic fertiliser Grass seed – in this case grass for shade Mealie meal Wood battens for the frame. (We used 38mm x 38mm x 900mm.) Wooden plank to stand on when making the spiral Plastic funnel WHAT YOU DO Shade-Over® is a cool-season grass that retains its bright green colour throughout the year. As its name implies, it grows best in shady areas – ideal for those difficult areas under trees and for townhouse gardens. Despite its lush appearance, Shade-Over® will tolerate a lot of traffic, provided it is given a chance to become properly established. The most important aspect of keeping your cool season lawn healthy is by mowing it at the correct height. If the lawn…

Leptospermum scoparium ‘Cherry Brandy’ This popular dwarf shrub grows to a height of around 1m, depending on growing conditions and the climate. Compact and evergreen, it produces a mass of cherry to burgundy flowers all along its many stems. The small leaves are aromatic when crushed and dark green in colour with wine-red tinges. New foliage growth is brilliant red, meaning that these plants always supply interesting colour in the garden, even when not in flower. It is at its best during August and September but buds can start to develop as early as May, giving it a very long flowering season. Leptospermums should be planted with care so as not to disturb their fine roots, but once established they are easy to grow, requiring little maintenance. They perform well…

Rugged beauties, daisies on steroids, call them what you will – Echinacea purpurea, otherwise known as the purple coneflower, is a bold and beautiful perennial for sunny gardens. The stand-out feature is the cone-shaped centre, which is a magnet for butterflies in summer and a frosty decoration in winter, when the petals drop, leaving the sculptural seed heads for the birds. The species most often used in gardens, Echinacea purpurea, has pinkish-purple flowers that, together with the leaves and roots, have medicinal properties. This tall-growing plant (80 – 100cm) has been hybridised into sturdy, more compact garden varieties in a range of vivid colours. Fortunately, the new cultivars are as heat and drought tolerant as the original. The thick, deeply penetrating roots store water, helping the plant to withstand periods…

Thank goodness it’s autumn! Now that our summers have become so hot, autumn is a welcome season, bringing with it relief for the roses and bigger, deeper-coloured blooms. Here are some tips for making the most of this season, which you can extend into early winter with the right care. • If you haven’t already, embark on a regular spraying programme to prevent black spot and prevent insect damage. Spray with a cocktail of Chronos mixed with Ludwig’s Insect Spray every two weeks or alternate with Rose Protector. In autumn, the dew on the roses is heavier and this makes them susceptible to black spot. • Thrips is a particularly difficult pest to eradicate. It is indicated by the crinkling of the young leaves, and very careful inspection shows the…

Koi fish are beautiful, prestigious and admired by many around the world. Adding a window to your pond is like adding a window into another world – it will take your breath away and you can interact with your fish like never before. Raised koi ponds with built-in koi windows are very popular and trending at the moment in the koi world. You can understand why once you see one, as there are many benefits of having raised koi ponds with windows built into them. Benefits of raised ponds with glass windows • The stunning ‘koi’s eye view’ is perfect for friends and family to view your special koi collection up close and personal. • The pond becomes a focal point in the garden, and sitting around the pond having…

The definition of a weed is essentially a ‘plant growing where you don’t want it to be growing’, and most are unsightly nuisances that wreak havoc on all our hard work and preparation if left to their own devices. They can take valuable nutrients from the soil, strangle plants and clog up machinery. Although you can’t completely eliminate weed intrusion, there are things you can do to alleviate the backbreaking chores needed to keep them under control. And here we have a two-pronged approach: 1) At the forefront in our armoury is ‘prevention’ – acting before the weeds appear. 2) Secondly, dealing with those that get past the preventative measures taken. Your approach to weed control will depend on the type of weeds you are dealing with. Weeds can be…

1 Plant dreamy hibiscuses A superior selection of upright, mounding and free-flowering hibiscuses marketed under the brand name HibisQs is waiting for you to plant them. The foliage is dark green and glossy, and the flowers vary from yellow (‘Boreas Yellow’), two-tone pink-and-white (‘Adonicus’), two-tone orange-and-yellow (‘Apollo’), bright orange (‘Arionicus’) and apricot (‘Adonicus Apricot’). Most of the flowers have striking dark-coloured throats. This is a series of late-summer-flowering shrubs to plant in sun or light shade in pretty containers on a patio or balcony, or in the garden. They have medium to low water usage in the garden, but will need a little more in pots. 2 Bedding besties Try to get the most out of summer’s annuals and perennials in March by deadheading them regularly. There will still be…

I could have decided to go on a diet, but I think that at my age I am at last thin enough, even though its unfortunately not in the right places. I could have gone on the water wagon for half of the year, then my gaze fell onto my ‘papsak’ sitting on top of the refrigerator and I thought aikôna! I simply don’t have the strength to listen to the things coming out at the Zondo Commission without the mind-numbing effect of a little bit of Bacchus. I could have decided to be nicer, but then again, being nice gets you nowhere nowadays. (You only need to check out social media to see that there’s little of a ‘sociable’ nature there!) Luckily my eye caught the Garden Media Group’s…

When Tara Forster decided to return home to South Africa from New Zealand she chose Bedford as her destination, as it resembled her image of Africa. Here mountainous landscapes are carpeted with fields of grasses and succulents, providing shelter for many wildlife and bird species. The biodiversity of the area encapsulated her idea of the perfect garden, and with inspiration from the famous Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf and renowned South African garden designer and good friend Franschesca Watson, she set out to create her own haven. Our first view of the garden is actually of an old corrugated building, framed by jasmine. Blue and white Portuguese-style tiles complement the tin building, hinting at the age of Bedford and its rich history. The main garden can be viewed as three…

● Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ is an award-winning series, having been a Fleuroselect Gold Medal winner in 2012 and an All-American Selections flower award winner in 2013. It is a first-year flowering perennial, growing up to 75cm with large flowers in a range of sunset colours: purple, red, pink, orange, yellow, white and cream. The compact, very well-branched plants deliver lots of flowers and don’t topple over in wind or rain. These are high-impact bedding plants. ● Echinacea ‘PowWow’ is a genetically shorter variety, with a garden height of 50cm and spread of 40cm. Also a first year-flowering perennial, its flower shades are ‘White’ and ‘Wild Berry’ (deep purpley-pink). This easy-care plant is very drought tolerant. ● ‘Prairie Splendour’ is the most compact of the garden varieties, with a height of…

What is the meal that brings us all together? Sunday lunch, of course! It is the ultimate family meal and it is all about comfort food. With the Easter holidays coming up, there’s another opportunity for a family get-together, so why not have Sunday roast on the menu, followed by a rich pudding to set everyone up for an afternoon nap. Where do herbs come in? In everything, because herbs picked from the garden add a personal touch. Savoury herbs like thyme, sage, rosemary and bay have herbaceous, piney or spicy undertones that pair perfectly with meat and chicken. For desserts use fruity or floral-flavoured herbs like pineapple sage, lemon verbena, basil and lemon grass. Hero herbs for roasts • Italian parsley is a big plant with deepgreen flat leaves…

Preparing a new season garden is easy when following the lunar gardening guide for the best days for gardening chores. In the first week the moon wanes before the new cycle on the 6th. This slow growing phase is suited to clear beds and to trim neglected bushes. Planting leaf veg and herbs on the three semi-fertile days after the new moon guarantees healthy produce. For successful germination and growth, plant fruiting veg varieties after the 1st quarter. The full moon favours planting flowers and fruiting veg. BEST DAYS FOR MARCH…