Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2021 i The Gardener Magazine

1991 Trees for Africa (TFA) was founded as a Voluntary Association by Jeunesse Park in November 1991. Recognising a need for action in the face of (what was then called) global warming, Ms Park began fundraising to plant trees in schools in Johannesburg. In a pre-democratic South Africa, tree planting was not recognised as an important issue but with vision and tenacity, Ms Park started our mission with the following core objectives: To contribute to food security, greening, natural resource management and sustainable business. Education and training of learners, teachers and communities within historically disadvantaged communities of Southern Africa. Promotion of environmental activities, within all sectors of society. Promotion of sustainable economic development, improved environments, and enhanced livelihoods. Building capacity and skills within agriculture, urban forestry and climate change adaptation.…

If containers on the ground are more your thing, have a look at the new Egg Souk terracotta pots, available in four sizes (24cm, 30cm, 37cm and 45cm high), and which have a lovely tonal neutrality that will complement just about any look, attractive in their own right but not so bold as to take the focus off your beautiful plants. Matching saucers are also available, in 16cm, 22cm, 30cm, 36cm and 41cm sizes. These pots can be used on their own, outside on a patio or inside on a prominent shelf or table, or they can be used as a set of four (one in each size). Alternatively, they can also be used in matching pairs or groups, all in the same size. Another use for pots as attractive…

We are happy to invite you to Escape to the Country and visit our glorious Midlands gardens, from Hilton to Richmond and Mooi River. Time: 09:00 – 17:00 with a few exceptions – check the schedule. Entrance: Charities will benefit from the entrance cost of R10 per garden. Enquiries: Jackie on 082 924 5892, jackie@otterley.com. Richmond Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 October MORNINGSIDE FARM Sandy and Stuart McKenzie This garden was established five years ago when the existing house was renovated and enlarged. It comprises 20 acres of expansive lawns and flower borders, and abuts an airfield. Sugar cane fields form part of the borrowed landscape. The rose garden is fairly new but as it is bathed in sunshine, the roses thrive and never stop blooming. Nearby is a protea…

Nine gardens are opening over two weekends in the Elgin District, which is renowned for its cooler climate and heavy fertile soils, its apples and wines. These gardens range from long-established country gardens to newly created wilding projects on steep hillsides. Times: 9:30 – 17:00 Entrance: Each garden has its own entrance charge. Some are free, with charity boxes. Tickets are only available on the day at each entrance. No prebooking is needed, and there is no single ticket for all gardens. Enquiries: 021 844 0154, 078 021 2101, 083 458 3790, info@elginopengardens.co.za Website: www.elginopengardens.co.za AULDEARN A plantswoman’s hilltop garden that skilfully mixes unusual indigenous and exotic plants, with a focus on colour combinations. Panoramic views over the Kogelberg biosphere are framed by informal mixed plantings dominated by flowering cherries…

The cobweb houseleek forms a mounding clump of little rosettes that look like they are covered in spider webs. The unique cobwebbing on the attractive succulent leaves, which can range from light green to pink and red, is caused by lots of tiny white hairs. It is a member of the Crassulaceae family and is native to the Alps, Apennines and Carpathian Mountains of southern Europe. It is a fast-growing succulent producing many offsets, which is typical of monocarpic plants. (A monocarpic plant will grow, flower, set seed, and then the mother rosette will die off – you may not even notice this due to the many other, still immature, rosettes forming around the soon-to-die-off flowering rosette.) Flowering time is in summer, and it will produce tall spikes of pink…

Songs have been written about ericas, or Cape heath as they are also commonly known, and in springtime the road verges and mountain slopes of the Western Cape are ablaze with colour, when many of the species in this, the largest genus of fynbos, is in flower. Their perfectly crafted bell flowers are so alluring and in such abundance that you can be tempted to pick some to take home. This, of course, is highly illegal and can result in huge fines! So the best thing is to plant some plants in your own garden or in pots to enjoy and pick from with a clean conscience. Many of the most spectacular species are produced to perfection by local growers, and they offer good advice to grow them successfully. This…

1 Creative succulents Create stunning containers by mixing succulents with different textures, colours and shapes. These fleshy plants are tough and like a sunny spot with minimum watering. Shallow pots like bonsai pots make useful containers for succulents. 2 Indoor leaf décor Bring natural décor indoors with striking plants with bold leaves. Calatheas fit the bill in spades. These beauties will thrive in bright indirect sunlight and will even take a bit of low light. Water every 1 - 2 weeks, depending on the position in the home, and allow to dry out just a little between waterings. They like high humidity, so mist regularly in drier areas. 3 Sow strawberries Brand new! MayFord Seeds brings you a first in South Africa – strawberry seeds! And not just any strawberry:…

MISTLEA Dave and Jane Pledger A 2ha, 60-year-old garden consisting of a yellowwood forest of about 150 trees underplanted with mature rhododendrons, azaleas and hydrangeas, a pond area and a rose section comprising 2500 roses. It also includes a white rose garden and rose arbour inspired by the White Garden and arbour at Sissinghurst, England. It has been renovated and redeveloped by the current owners over 13 years. Directions: 7 Orchard Lane - marked on Google maps GPS: -32.591854, 26.929027 Time to view: 1 - 1½ hours Why visit: Enchanted garden - gardeners’ delight! MONSGARDEN ROSE NURSERY Dunaverty Thursdays to Sundays, 22 – 24 and 28 – 31 October, 4 – 7 and 11 – 14 November The property was bought in 2005, and after years of clearing black wattle…

Hoekwil village, 7km inland of Wilderness, has become known over the last 8 years for showcasing country gardening with a twist. With a backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains, the sea and lakes, these large gardens lend themselves to sweeping expanses of colourful flowerbeds, from formal to natural indigenous. Ponds, dams and unusual water features add interest to the mass planting of roses, aloes and succulents, with pathways leading through forests. Hoekwil is a popular destination for visitors looking for beautiful scenery, interesting eateries, quaint nurseries and a laid-back atmosphere. Times: 09:00 –16:00 Entrance: R50 per person for both days. Children free. Tickets are available on the days at a kiosk outside the Hoekwil Post Office in Kerkstraat. Look out for signage. Enquiries: Magda: 073 174 4186, magdavz@netactive.co.za; Dalene: 082 561…

Due to the fascination of plant lovers with agapanthus, and the good breeding programmes that have been established, we can now kiss goodbye those days when agapanthus only flowered (albeit spectacularly!) for a month or two in mid-summer, leaving us with not much more than leafy clumps for the rest of the year. A bevy of modern hybrids (which are now waiting for you in garden centres!) are re-blooming plants that will start off their prolific flowering performance from late winter and continue through spring, intermittently throughout summer, and even up to next winter. Hopefully these plants will end our local habit of treating agapanthus like stepchildren and banishing them to dry shade or other neglected areas of the garden! Underground, these herbaceous perennials grow from rhizomes with thick fleshy…

The spring season start is marked as the 1st, and even though it's a waning day, it's fertile and good to transplant trees or plant roots. Lunar gardeners consider the start of spring as the New Moon on the 7th Sept, but iy's a barren, no planting day. The best period to plant and sow quick growing leaf herbs and veg is the fertile days after New Moon and before 1st Qtr; and fruit veg and flower seedlings between 1st Qrt and Full Moon. The astronomical spring equinox is on 22nd, and barren, but plant hot bulbs like onions.…

Faye Fenn’s dream was to be enveloped in childhood memories. Growing up in the Cotswolds surrounded by English countryside gardens full of gentle flowers, peaking into the seasons, she longed to replicate this around her newly built townhouse. Her dream became a reality, based on a well-thought-out plan that was expertly executed with some clever planting. The greatest challenge in Faye’s quest for the garden of her dreams was the steep slope leading from her home down to the street, as well as a mound of soil left after her new home was built. She turned to her friend and long-standing landscaper, Ashleigh Clare from GardenHeart, for assistance, a plan was drawn up and the work started. After three months, Faye was left with a terraced wonderland, filled with garden…

Hanging baskets are a vital part of spring and summer garden and home décor, be it for herbs, veggies, ornamentals, cascading foliage plants or even an artistic display of succulents. We love using wire baskets with a coconut fibre lining, which are light and stylish and do the job perfectly. The coconut fibre lining is vital: it holds the potting medium in place, it helps to retain moisture without making the soil waterlogged, and it allows the plants' roots to breathe. The baskets from First Dutch Brands come in the standard 30cm size, which means that buying new liners is easy and doesn't involve cutting anything to fit. Hanging baskets need something to hang from, and First Dutch Brands has a variety of brackets and hooks built for this purpose,…

Gardeners have a lot to thank plants for. They entertain us, calm us – even feed us. They make our homes and local environments not only visually appealing, but mentally appealing too, contributing to a relaxed and happy state of mind. But these are all benefits gardeners already know – or else, why would we be gardening after all? Beyond our backyards, there are many more reasons to thank plants, from the minor to the massive. And when it comes to massive reasons to thank plants, advances in human development and technological jumps throughout history are certainly some of them. Starting with the first ever fire and extending to our massive systems of global communications, plants have played a far greater role in human history than you may imagine. Fire…

Kuhestan Gardens cover an area of 1.5ha and are considered one of the most beautiful gardens in Magoebaskloof. With the renowned Woodbush indigenous forest as a backdrop and the Helpmekaar stream at the bottom of the farm, Kuhestan Gardens have been in the making for over 20 years. The gardens come alive every spring with azaleas, banksia, clivias and crab-apple and cherry blossoms. Summer showcases varieties of hydrangeas, anemones, fuchsias and annuals. Japanese and Chinese maple trees colour the gardens in autumn. Time: The gardens are open 364 days a year from 9:00 – 12:00. Entrance: R30 for adults and R10 for children Enquiries: 082 903 7593, info@kuhestan.co.za, www.kuhestan.co.za Directions from Haenertsburg: Proceed straight at the stop sign at Haenertsburg towards the Magoebaskloof Hotel (10km). Turn left 2.5km after the…

A large farm garden surrounding Cape Dutch buildings, Rustenberg has a spectacular mountain backdrop and wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. It is a garden with many mature trees and is essentially English in style, with a strong focus on heritage roses and perennials. The space is divided into a series of ‘rooms’, each with a distinctive planting scheme and character. The Sunken Garden and the Almond Walk are highlights. The Schoongezicht Garden and the Schoongezicht manor house are near the wine-tasting centre on the estate. Special features are the 200-year-old pergola running the length of the garden, and a Chartres-style labyrinth set amongst the flower borders. The borders are filled with roses, foxgloves and many interesting perennials. The garden also features a wonderful pond and is divided using hedges…

When I told a landscaping friend more than twenty years ago that I would love to have a swan’s neck agave in my garden because I have always adored the look of the plant but could not find it anywhere, she brought me a little offset from her plant. Back then, garden designers didn’t plant stuff like agaves and other low-maintenance, water-wise succulent plants, so they weren’t widely available at nurseries. The fatties of those times were mostly dug up from the veld and used in our grandmother’s rock gardens on farms. Those were the heydays of the tropical style of garden design, closely followed by the Tuscan-type of garden style – the latter trend was feverishly embraced by South Africans! Our newest suburbs soon resembled little Tuscan villages with…