Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2015 i The Gardener Magazine

A sweet scent, masses of flowers in spring and the ability to withstand frost are three reasons why dianthus is so sought after worldwide. History Dianthus, also known as border carnations, have been cultivated since shortly after the first specimens of Dianthus caryophyllus were collected in the Pyrenees in the 15th century. While there are over 300 species of dianthus found around the world, many modern carnation hybrids in cultivation are descendents of the aforementioned species. These plants have been adored for centuries and are mentioned in some of the earliest herbal texts, written in the mid- to late-1500s. The intricate flowers with picotee edgings to their petals, some single and others fully double, have been hybridised for centuries. Books on growing carnations and dianthus abound, so in this article…

Followers of the TV series Masterchef Australia may have noticed the abundance of herbs grown in containers that made up the Masterchef logo. Contestants dash outside and gather handfuls of fresh herbs to add flavour and to decorate their finished dishes. Their plated-up dishes were so beautiful that one could only describe their use of herbs as cuisine decor, which sounds so much more sophisticated than ‘garnish’! Whether used inside or ‘on top’, herbs are a must for the summer food garden. Most herbs can be planted in August, and starting early means an extended supply of fresh herb leaves for the herb-focused cook. The nine most popular culinary herbs are thyme, parsley, mint, basil, bay, chives, oregano or marjoram, rosemary and sage. A cook with all these herbs at…

South Africa's abundance of spring fowers will be the stars of this year's Spring Festival at Garden World. ‘Nature's Bounty' is the theme, as the 17 designer gardens showcase our country's wealth of indigenous plants and fowers, tying in with this year's Kirstenbosch South Africa Chelsea Exhibit entitled, ‘South Africa in Bloom: 40 Years at the Chelsea Flower Show. The Chelsea exhibit, which will be recreated at the Spring Festival, will include a display of ‘Plants South Africa Gave the World, and a named fower specimen display. For local gardeners, the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden will be creating a show garden (not just a display) highlighting original ways to use indigenous plants in city gardens. Highlights include • ‘Herb Teas for Health and Vitality' (22 August), with Margaret Roberts and…

Dracaena aletriformis (large-leaved dragon tree) is an indigenous dracaena from the eastern, subtropical parts of the country. Stout trunks may be single or branched, with smooth, pale, silvery-grey bark. Rosettes of thick, leathery leaves top the stems, creating a dramatic effect in the garden. Sweetly scented, silvery-green flowers are produced in multi-branched inflorescences during summer, and are followed by orange-red, berry-like fruit that is feasted upon by birds. The plant tolerates deep shade and can even be grown indoors, but is tender to cold and frost. Dracaena draco (Canary Islands dragon tree) grows to large proportions and is becoming rare in its natural habitat, the Canary Islands. It is widely cultivated and numerous specimens dominate gardens around the globe with huge, stout trunks covered in smooth, silvery bark.…

Many gardeners are worried about trimming or pruning plants at the best of times, but when it comes to their indigenous garden they’re particularly terrified of ‘hurting’ their botanical beauties. We’re also inclined to forget the importance of pruning plants while they’re still young and developing their basic framework of branches. These are the ‘skeleton’ of the plant, and if they’re not well formed your plant will never reach its full, gorgeous potential. We can tell our plants how to grow through pruning and trimming People often ask about the ultimate shape and size of a plant. Up to a point this is good information to have, but at the end of the day it’s up to you to decide how you want your plants to grow. For example, vigorous…

SOFTEN YOUR PATIO WITH FLOWERS AND SCENT If you dream of a patio surrounded by sweetly scented flowers pleasing to the eye and gently shading you from the sun, you can quickly create the effect with dainty flowering climbers. Plants known as climbers naturally produce many long, twining stems and tendrils, which a gardener can train up to a higher level, adding a soft cover of vegetation and blooms relatively quickly. They need the support structures of trees, pillars or pergolas, which are often already in place, or arches and trellis panels, which can easily be fitted in strategic places to accommodate them. Most dainty climbers will grow in narrow places adjoining a patio as long as there is enough soil, and the jasmines recommended on the right will do…

Basil ‘Dark Lady’ This variety is a stronger grower than the traditional purple-leaved basil, ‘Dark Opal’, growing up to 1.5 m with a 1 m spread. It is also very tasty and aromatic and likes to be picked, which seems to stimulate its growth. Its weather resistance, disease tolerance and dark red foliage with crimson blooms make it a decorative and productive herb for the food garden. It grows best in full sun, in composted soil that drains well. In areas with a mild winter it may grow as a perennial. Remove the flower heads regularly to encourage leaf growth and a more compact, bushy plant. Use the leaves in salads, with pasta, in rice dishes and to make herbal vinegar. Mushroom plant The glossy, dark green leaves and stems…

Greening your bathroom Choose a plant that will thrive in humid conditions Spathiphyllum spp. Peace lilies generally don't need large amounts of water to survive and are perfect for low-light areas. Aglaonema ‘Maria’ This is a firm favourite for an indoor plant as it is easy to care for and can grow well in low light (although it may become leggy if the light levels are too low). Avoid full sun and keep protected from the cold. Water well, but don't overwater. Anthurium andreanum If colour is what you are looking for, this is the plant for long-lasting fowers from spring through autumn. It needs bright light to bloom, but keep it out of direct sunlight. It also requires high humidity levels, which is why it is perfect for the…

The days before the New Moon marked as'soil prepare good for spring lawn preparation. Rake off thatched growth, remove weeds and spike compacted lawns. On the weekend, lightly top dress with sandy soil, water lightly in dry areas, then deeply on next'irrigate' days. Sow early spring leaf vegetable seeds, in trays once soil temperatures increase and the crescent moon is visible, on days marked as 'fertile'. After 1st quarter phase and also on 'fertile' days, lightly mow sparse lawns to encourage growth.…

1 WATERPROOF YOUR POND IN 6 EASY STEPS Coprox Masonry Waterproofing is an easy and effective masonry waterproofing solution suitable for many applications. It prevents water seepage in new masonry structures and remedies damp problems in existing ones. Its unique properties even make it effective for waterproofing ponds. Follow these easy steps for your DIY pond project: Detailed instructions are found on packaging. www.coprox.co.za 2 ADJUSTABLE POLE SAW FOR EFFORTLESS PRUNING Need to prune dense trees or trim tall bushes? The robust Husqvarna 327PT5S pole saw, with its easily adjustable telescopic handle and slim cutting head, makes short work of trimming tall foliage without a ladder or cherry picker. The machine is light and well balanced, making it comfortable to operate. Use the voucher on page 36 for a discounted…

Circles • Stone • Woodlands • Sculpture • Grasses • Still Water • Orange Circles Circles were evident as a preferred trend at Chelsea, featured both horizontally and vertically in many gardens. The symmetry of a circle attracts many designers, and they have symbolic meanings as well. Circles in long, narrow gardens tend to make them look bigger and more open, as was expertly done in The Homebase Garden, which combined different heights of stepping stones echoed in the round topiary balls (opposite, top centre). Spy-holes cut into giant slabs of concrete focus the eye and provide interest, as do round pools and rings of wall art. Perhaps the easiest to replicate is the tin can ring in the The Great Chelsea Garden Challenge garden. Stone Stone was used extensively…

The Cape chestnut is a large-flowered member of the citrus family Rutaceae, and one of South Africa’s most beautiful trees. Apart from its value in horticulture, its light yellow wood is highly prized in the timber industry for furniture making and turnery, its bark is used by indigenous peoples in traditional cosmetics, and the Xhosa incorporate its large, shiny black seeds into ornamental good-luck bracelets. The round, unripe seed capsules resemble mini durian fruits. Known scientifically as Calodendrum capense, the Cape chestnut is not limited to the Western Cape but has a very wide distribution from Swellendam in the southern Cape through the Eastern Cape, north-eastern Lesotho, eastern Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng and North West, and extends to Ethiopia in East Africa. Its habitat is mostly forested…

GET THE LOOK Training roses up a pillar is an easy way of creating a rose feature that shows off the cascading nature of creeping or climbing roses, like ‘Pink Cloud’(pictured). In this garden a metal frame around the pillar allows the rose to be secured to the frame as it grows upwards, while allowing shorter flowering canes to tumble outwards, creating a waterfall of blooms. When the flowering is over, just neaten it up using hedge clippers. The secret is to select the most suitable varieties for the height and spread of the framework. The roses I recommend for smaller arches (2 m high and 1.5 m wide) are Midinette roses like ‘Apricot Midinette’, ‘Starry Eyed’or ‘Rosy Cheeks’. For shoulder-high fences, the prostrate-spreading roses like ‘Lesotho Royal’, the Grannies,…

Good to know Plants sprayed with a seaweed extract are generally less prone to aphid infestations. To sow or not to sow? August weather is very unpredictable and can be anything from summery to frosty, all in the same month. It is better to delay sowing where the soil is too cold or wet, or where frost can be expected until mid-September. Rather sow seed indoors in trays or pots, and only transplant seedlings once they are sturdy and the last possible frost date has passed. Lettuce succession Sowing lettuce in trays every two weeks will provide a continuous supply throughout the growing season. Plant them out 30 cm apart when large enough. As it gets hotter, plant the lettuce in positions that receive partial shade. Harvest know-how Kale –…

Made from durable plastic, these composters are ideal for keeping your compost neat and tidy – today is the day to start making your own. Cyclamen flower colours range from red and scarlet to maroon, lavender, white and shades of pink, and many cyclamens have lightly scented flowers that last well in the vase. All transplanted leaf-vegetable seedlings need feeding with water -soluble plant foods such as Multifeed. Treat patio roses as indoor plants to brighten any table. Once they have finished flowering, plant them in the garden. A watering can with a rose attachment is perfect for watering newly sown seed without washing it away.…

GAUTENG 25 July – 30 August 2015 2015 Spring Festival Garden World, Beyers Naudé Drive, Muldersdrift Enquiries: Magriet or Corné 011 957 2545/ 011 956 3003, 083 997 6142 www.gardenworld.co.za Saturday 8 Orchid sale and open day Plantae Orchids, Brits Enquiries: Nollie 084 752 6823, Tinus 084 458 1199 info@plantae.co.za, www.plantae.co.za Monday 17 Courses: Organic vegetable gardening on your rooftop or balcony, and in your garden. Bookings: Gilda@soughtafterseedlings.co.za, www.soughtafterseedlings.co.za Saturday 29 Talk: Fuchsias in the garden Fourways Fuchsia Club meeting Colourful Corner Nursery, c/o Christiaan de Wet Road and Dolfyn Street, Randpark Ridge Enquiries: Martin 084 582 7354 KWAZULU-NATAL Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 Queensburgh Orchid Club Annual Show Kloof Town Hall, Old Main Road, Kloof Entrance: Adults R10, Scholars R5 Enquiries: Jimmy 082 809 1572 a/h Friday 14…

I suppose the ‘neighbourhood watch’ phenomenon, announced by a huge sign with an eye sitting above a stop street sign, is not a new thing, but just the sad result of crime. But in my youth, ‘neighbourhood watch’ meant your every move being scrutinised by your neighbours’ beady eyes from behind lacy curtains. One particular neighbour on the suburban street of my youth always knew when the vicious kids (who were called ‘ducktails’ and ‘sheilas’ by the elders) were out and about, intent on bullying my sister and I when we were sent to buy tomatoes and bread at the corner café. It was owned by a gentle, but very verbal, Portuguese greengrocer who was also bullied by the same kids, who would poke holes in his pawpaws. As my…