Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2022 i The Gardener Magazine

It’s the start of summer and along comes It’s the start of summer and along comes WELCOME with it the promise of longer days and warmer temperatures. And, of course, all this brings forth bursts of summer colour in the garden! The queen of all summer colour is no doubt – the rose – having been grown in gardens perhaps longer than any flower. Nebuchadnezzar, the 6th century BC King of Babylon, grew the Apothecaries rose (Rosa officinalis) in his famous hanging gardens for its perfume and its petals. The petals, interestingly, being used to stuff his mattress. Roses were then taken to Ancient Greece and Rome where they were then grown in fields en masse because of the demand and close association with opulence and infamous orgies… dare I…

We highlight new, decorative products that will be very useful in the garden and are made with modern design and materials in mind. Take a look at just a few of what’s available now online and in stores countrywide. Short pickets and edging Small garden fences have so many uses in a garden. They can identify a specific area like a play area for children and keep dogs away from prized plants in a flower bed. These border edging and pickets are the new generation fencing made from robust plastic that look like the real thing, but will last a lot longer in the garden. Garden Border Edging in a rattan finish comes in a pack of 5, in sections to fit a total length of 3900mm with a height…

When you think of traditional and beloved houseplants, African violets are sure to come to mind. Scientifically known as Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia, African violets are native to East Africa, residing in tropical regions around Kenya and Tanzania. One of the main reasons African violets have garnered so much attention throughout their cultivation history is due to their gorgeous blooms. The classic purple is likely the first image to come to mind, but the flowers are available in many more interesting colours, from deep burgundy to pearlescent white and more. African violets don’t have the greatest reputation in terms of care. They are known for being fussy and difficult to manage, especially when trying to encourage them to flower. However, with knowledge on what makes this plant different, you should have…

Tagetes lucida is an aromatic perennial herb that looks like a marigold but has intense tarragon-flavoured leaves and a strong liquorice/anise fragrance. The only hint of mint is that the plants spread freely. It is a great substitute for French tarragon because it tolerates more heat and drought. The flavour is a little stronger and sweeter than French tarragon. Vital stats It is compact and bushy, 30 – 60cm high and almost as wide. It is indigenous to Mexico and the southwestern regions of the United States, which explains its other names: Mexican tarragon, Spanish tarragon or Texas tarragon. It flowers from summer through to the beginning of winter. To grow This heat- and drought-tolerant herb is perfect for our long hot summers. It thrives in full sun in ordinary…

Rose care for October • Nurture the first roses of the season by watering deeply twice a week to keep the bushes and the blooms fresh and long-lasting. • Don’t be tempted to pick all the blooms at once. That puts a strain on the bush and the roots. Rather pick a few at a time. • Fertilise towards the middle of the month so that the rose can start building up for the next flush. • Encourage new growth by cutting off dead flowers. Cut the dead bloom with 3 – 4 leaves, making sure that there are still leaves under the cut. • Control aphids, thrips, and small beetles by spraying every two weeks with Ludwig’s Insect Spray. Rose of the month ‘Pretty Yende’ is named after the…

Sweeping wide vistas and undulating borders are pleasing to the eye… All gardens have their own unique energy that you can generally pick up on as soon as you venture into them. Some are filled with vibrant colours that excite the soul while others are more sober and introspective. This Bryanston garden is a haven of peace and tranquillity. As soon as you enter through the gates, you can feel a sense of calm enveloping you. The garden’s transformation began when landscaper Karen Gardelli was introduced to the owners (Lindy and Roy) by renowned interior designer Joan Young. The house was nearing the end of a two-year long renovation. Understandably, with all the building work going on there was very little time or inclination to tend the garden, and we…

Artichokes, asparagus, rhubarb and strawberries all sound rather fancy, but they are not out of the league of ordinary gardeners. What sets these crops apart is that they are perennials, and although the list is not long, they add another dimension to the vegetable garden. They include repeat-harvesting crops like sweet potatoes, chillies (in frost-free or sheltered areas), kale in cooler areas and culinary herbs like horseradish, sorrel, fennel, chives, oregano, salad burnet, lemon grass, sage, thyme and rosemary. Even potatoes could be on the list because once you have your own seed potatoes, it’s possible to generate successive crops of potatoes. Pros and cons of perennial crops Less demanding: Once established, perennials need far less attention than seasonal annual vegetables. But only if they are planted in deeply prepared…

In our glamorous vanity package with a distinct South African flavour are a rose, a lavender, indigenous wild garlic that has been tamed, and a few drops of sunshine… ‘Hannon’ rose was inspired by our very own Glam Guru, who has become a household name where beauty and grace are concerned. This upright to spreading hybrid tea rose (100 x 30cm), has dark green matt leaves and large, lightly fragrant, fully double and plum-cerise blooms. It is the perfect choice for the garden as well as for cutting for the vase. Lavandula dentata var. ‘Elegans’ is a bushy lavender with dark green textured leaves and large, deep purple flowers that are excellent for the vase. Size is about 80cm x 1.5m. Tulbaghia violacea ‘Ashanti’ is a delicately coloured hybrid of…

A mass of impatiens is always guaranteed to make a show. It is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of brightening up a shady corner. Impatiens also do well in pots and hanging baskets with daily watering. They’re also remarkably forgiving – they may look like they’re flagging, but a quick drink will make them bounce right back! Impatiens do best in semi-shade such as morning sun (with afternoon shade) or dappled sun. Plant in fertile, well-composted soil that drains well. Space plants 15 to 20cm apart and water regularly. Impatiens like consistently moist but not soggy soil and the more sunshine the plants get, the more water they need. After planting, feed with a liquid fertiliser and thereafter once a month. Use a liquid fertiliser for flowers, not…

We sometimes forget the importance of papyruses and rushes as cleaning aids for grey water running through a reed bed or filtering of water in an eco-friendly pool, and their importance in keeping wetlands healthy. These reed-like plants on the other hand, are also highly ornamental, please the eye in a serene way and once planted need no further fuss apart from the occasional clean up and maybe division because they are enthusiastic growers with spreading, underground rhizomes. You can plant these lovely evergreens so ‘African’ in nature, in pots to place in a small pond, in a portable water butt on your balcony, or in the case of the papyruses, keep them indoors as interesting houseplants. Interested? Get these… Cyperus profiler (miniature papyrus) Each reedy stem is topped with…

Spring is a busy time in the bonsai garden so I thought I would take this opportunity to revise the very basics of growing bonsai, with the intention of inspiring you all to spend more time with your miniature trees. Bonsai need sun, soil, water and food. These elements work together to create a suitable environment for the plants to grow in – they also need just a bit of TLC from their human. Sun The more sun a plant gets, the smaller and more numerous the leaves it will produce, so make sure your plants get as much sun as possible without getting sunburnt. Plants should never be positioned where they don’t get a breeze. And they shouldn’t live under eves. There they don’t get any rain or dew…

Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are not related to the common potato, and presumably their common name stems from the fact that they also produce tubers. They are a low-GI food that takes time to digest, keeping blood sugar constant, and are full of vitamins and minerals. To grow Plants are propagated from rooted shoots or unrooted cuttings of vine runners. However, if you are a first-time grower just plant a tuber in the soil. Once the shoots appear, let them run and after six or seven weeks cut the runners into 30cm lengths. Being a vine, each node will develop roots that will become tubers. Space plants 30 – 50cm apart in ordinary soil that drains well, in sun or semi-shade. Add compost and a general fertiliser to the soil…

Subscribe or renew from 26 Sep – 24 Oct 2022 and you will be entered into the competition to win the prize. The winner will be contacted by telephone or email after the draw on 25 Oct 2022. Only available to subscribers resident in South Africa. Please see terms and conditions on www.thegardener.co.za. Store-It-Out Max This versatile storage unit is durable and fully weather-resistant and can be opened from the front or from the top, with the top benefiting from an easy-open mechanism. A sloped threshold makes it easy to wheel items in or out and it’s also lockable. This great storage system keeps contents both dry and ventilated. For more information visit za.keter.com. Subscriptions Deal Save 30% and subscribe now! • Print magazine 12 issues R490 30% discount on…

✓ Remove spent flowers from spring bulbs and annuals, and stake tall perennials as their stems become longer. ✓ Watch out for insects such as aphids, mealybugs and whitefly on soft new growth, and control any infestations with a systemic insecticide. ✓ Freshen up garden containers containing specimen plants by pruning them neatly. Scrape out the top layer of old potting soil and replace with a fresh layer of compost. Feed afterwards with a slow-release granular fertiliser. ✓ Remember to put out cutworm bait after planting young seedlings. ✓ After the first spring rain, apply mulches around all shrubs and trees to conserve moisture in the soil around them. ✓ Repot ferns into fresh potting soil and start feeding them every two weeks with a liquid fertiliser mixed at half-strength.…