Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2024 i The Gardener Magazine

Imagine a plant with the best traits of two different genera combined into a single, hardy, visually stunning specimen. Welcome to the world of mangaves – a range of intergeneric hybrids that have quickly become the darlings of gardeners everywhere. These unique plants are eye-catching, robust, fast-growing, and relatively easy to care for. Whether you’re a seasoned succulent enthusiast or a novice gardener looking for something new, mangaves will be the perfect addition to your garden or patio. A happy accident Mangaves are the delightful result of crossing two different genera: Agave and the former genus Manfreda. Manfredas are now controversially lumped under the genus agave but have long been admired for their interesting leaf patterns and growth habits. Conversely, agaves are known for their sculptural form and hardiness, though…

If we plant them all over the garden or grow them in pots, we cover four of the five human senses – touch, taste, smell and sight – in one fell swoop. Well, maybe the fifth one (hearing) is also covered, as their tempo is so rapid and lusty that you can actually ‘hear’ them grow if you care to listen! 1 Borage Borago officinalis This is a lovely garden plant (mostly grown as an annual) with small, bright blue star-shaped edible flowers and large fuzzy leaves. It has an informal growth habit and can reach a height of 60 cm. Sow seed after the last frost directly into composted soil in a sunny position. Borage doesn’t like rich soil, so it is not necessary to add fertiliser. Because it develops…

These tried and tested summer varieties mix hardy annuals and perennials. 1. Zinnias Zinnias can be relied upon to give a brilliant show of colour during the hottest months of the year. They don’t need huge amounts of water, and their leathery leaves and sturdy flower heads withstand the blazing sun. They don’t need huge amounts of water, and their leathery leaves and sturdy flower heads withstand the blazing sun. Try this: Zinnia ‘Zahara Double’ has the large, old-fashioned blooms of yesteryear, but plants are more compact, growing 40 to 50cm high and wide. 2. Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus is one of the best nectar plants for attracting butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. It is tolerant of poor soil, heat, and humidity, making it an excellent choice if you are…

Plants used… From my succulent collection, I gathered five of my favourites and planted them in the following order: Clay pots are fragile and can break easily. Does this mean they must be dumped or broken up into crocks to use as drainage material for other pots? No, if it is broken and a whole section has fallen out, it can still be valuable as a planted-up container with some imagination. My solution was to play ‘hide-the-hole’, turning my broken pot into a nifty little succulent garden. 1. Sempervivum calcareum ‘Greenii’ (hen and chickens) is not called the ‘tolerant succulent’ for nothing. It will grow, spread and form a covering mat (even if planted on its side) with densely-packed miniature rosettes of sharply-pointed grey-green leaves with maroon-red tips. 2. Echeveria…

Red spider mite Red spider mites attack when conditions are hot and dry and damage the flowers and leaves of a wide range of ornamentals, roses, fruit, and vegetables. These minute insects can often only be seen by the damage they cause – leaf curl, chlorotic-looking leaves with yellow and brown spots that eventually cause leaf drop, and extensive white webbing in the case of heavy infestation. Red spider mites have natural predators like ladybirds and some flies, so one should keep this in mind when spraying miticides. ‘Safe’ sprays to use are Oleum or Ludwig’s Rose Spider Mite. Good cultural practices include spraying infected plants with a jet of water, taking care to reach the undersides of the leaves, as this is where they are active, and good garden…

A larger diameter hose and a nozzle with adjustable settings can help to better water flow and pressure. Clean out all nozzle ends and connectors which can obstruct flow. They can build up minerals and other debris over time. Kinks in hosepipes left to lie around in a heap can restrict water flow. Good-quality hosepipes can be expensive, so care for them well by fitting a hose reel close to your tap to keep it out of the sun and the jaws of dogs when not in use.…

Around the house and garden with Izolda. If you have… • Space for a collection of flowering plants;• medium to bright indirect light during daytime; and• the understanding that the life of flowering houseplants can not last forever, but should rather be regarded as long-lasting cutflowers, you can have a go at it. Miniature roses Clever growers plant cuttings of miniature rose hybrids together in a pot, grow them on into bloom (they do it when still very young), and then proudly offer them to the houseplant market. A pot full of buds and open blooms is simply irresistible and romantic, and the colour range is wide. You can use pretty, flowering houseplants to create a garden in your bedroom – it is cheap decor that can match any colour…

TIP Display your indoor plants in wicker or grass baskets to add colour and texture to the design theme. Reminiscent of sandy holidays, the colours are cool and inviting sea and sky blues and sea glass greens with soft neutral tones of white and beige. This casual and comfortable design style is full of texture and light, and we have some beauties to add to the list in stunning houseplants to finish it off. Areca bamboo palm This tropical palm (Dypsis lutescens) will give just the right kind of beachy vibe this design needs. Depending on the pot size, they can grow up to 2 m tall and offer that quintessential tropical vibe. This is the next best thing if you can’t bring a giant palm tree indoors. Notes: Bright,…

Dear Tanya… Winning letter I desperately need your guidance, please. I want to plant a lemon tree in a pot. I’ve been looking around for different pots and have seen fibreglass and cement options. I’m concerned that fibreglass will crack eventually as the roots grow, and don’t know much about cement pots. Could you perhaps guide me in terms of the best pots to use for lemon trees and also the best size? Appreciate your help. Kind regards Vivienne Hi Vivienne, Regarding the fibreglass pot – don’t stress about cracking; your lemon tree will have to be in there for at least 20 years before it cracks, and by that time, I am sure you would need a bigger pot anyway. I am a firm believer in terracotta. Being clay,…

Nestled in the small Karoo town of Prince Albert, Mirtehof is a guest house that is a testament to the transformative power of vision and dedication. Owned by Bets van Rensburg and Stevan Moller, this enchanting oasis boasts a garden that seamlessly integrates lush greenery, vibrant blooms, and soothing water features. It is a garden for the senses, inviting exploration and offering tranquillity in equal measure. Walking through Mirtehof, visitors are greeted by meandering paths leading through rich textures and colour tapestries. Mixed beds and formal hedges harmonise with wildflowers, edibles, rose beds, trees, pots and whimsical focal points. The scent of fresh herbs and ripening fruit fills the air, enticing one to pause and savour the moment. A tranquil pond, surrounded by a raised patio offering stunning mountain views,…

Mangave ‘Pineapple Express’ ‘Pineapple Express’ is a compact beauty that lives up to its name with a spiky habit reminiscent of a pineapple top. Its blue-green leaves are covered with burgundy spots, creating a minty-green finish that looks striking in a yellow or tan container, further enhancing that pineapple look. The tiny spines lining the leaf margins and a sharp cinnamon terminal spine give this mangave a distinctive, spiky appearance. It’s perfect for both containers and garden beds. Mangave ‘Blazing Saddles’ This mangave is destined to be a star in any home. Its green leaves are so heavily spotted with red that they appear to have solid red bands with green margins. The sharply pointed leaves are lined with tiny spines, making it a compact, low-profile plant perfect for contemporary…

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What’s to like The silvery foliage has a spread of 60 x 90 cm, making it a must-have plant for cascading out of hanging baskets, over the edge of large containers, or even over walls. To grow Make sure that it gets full sun for good growth and plenty of flowers. Water regularly until it is established, then water deeply but less often. Despite its almost fragile appearance, ‘Gold Flash’ is a low-maintenance plant that occasionally needs a light trim. ON THE GARDEN MENU…

Tanya troubleshoots flowering problems and gives you her best pest hacks. Appetite suppressor for snails Iron phosphate, which occurs naturally in the soil, is part of a slug and snail bait called Biogrow Ferramol. It is an effective stomach poison that damages their digestive tissue, preventing them from eating. Vaseline works everywhere! I have found ways to stop my young lemon trees from being too hospitable to the sap-sucking aphids clustering on new leaves. The answer is to stop the ants from milking these sap-suckers, secreting honeydew, and causing the sooty mould by rolling a proverbial ‘stone’ in their path. It comes in the form of a jar of Vaseline: • If smeared on the trunks of lemon trees, it prevents ants from moving up to the leaves to reach…

‘Feather Falls’ It forms a super-sized clump of arching and cascading white and green variegated leaves. Two other advantages of this robust and strappy plant are its foliage, which will not burn in full sun and the feathery flower stems of dainty plumes it produces in spring. The mature size is about 50 x 50 cm. ‘Everillo’ This sedge, with its lime-green arching leaves turning golden-yellow in summer, has such a presence that it looks as if somebody has thrown a light switch in the shade to illuminate all the plants in the area. Its mature size is 50 x 50 cm. Uses for ‘Feather Falls’ and ‘Everillo’ • If planted along the edge of a raised area or pathway, the fountain-like growth habit and soft foliage will spill over…

What’s to like This fast-growing double impatiens promises masses of flowers all summer long. Plants are compact and rounded, growing 25 x 35 cm. Impatiens are once again the go-to flower for summer shade gardens, and the new Impatiens ‘ Double Glimmer’ is a super showy double-flowered variety with miniature rose-like blooms. It is also highly resistant to downy mildew and has many flower colours, including soft apple blossom pink, burgundy, dark red, hot pink, salmon, and white. To grow • Plant in fertile, well-drained soil in semi-shade or dappled shade, but not deep shade.• Space well apart, 20 to 30 cm.• Keep soil moist, but don’t overwater.• Fertilise once a month with a liquid fertiliser.…

October is a very busy time in the food garden, with lots to harvest and cook with. Enjoy! If you want to learn more about food gardening, don’t miss the latest Grow to Eat magazine out now. Visit www.growtoeat.co.za to see how to get your copy. One of the easiest tomato varieties to grow are cherry tomatoes, and they grow well in large pots and hanging baskets on the patio or even a balcony. For the best results, choose a container that is at least 25-30 cm in diameter and 30-35 cm deep and fill it with quality potting soil mixed in equal parts with compost. For containers, the best varieties are those that are compact or dwarf in statue, like ‘Window Box Red’, ‘Red Cherry Sweetie’ and ‘Little Wonder’.…

What You Need ✓ 3 x 2.4 m PAR (planed all round) timber (44 x 22 mm) ✓ 3 x 19 mm wooden dowel rod @600 mm each ✓ 1 litre Woodoc Water-Borne MARINE (Matt) ✓ 20 ml Woodoc Colours (Sunrise) ✓ 29 wood screws (3.5 x 40 mm) ✓ Wood glue ✓ Paintbrush ✓ Fine sandpaper ✓ Wood filler ✓ Decorative hooks Tools Drill Driver 19 mm spade bit Sander Speed pilot Set Square Pencil Tape measure/ruler Preparation Cut all the timber to the following lengths: 2 x 1200 mm (rear uprights) 2 x 1000 mm (front uprights) 2 x 750 mm (middle uprights) 2 x 600 mm (front and rear of shelf) 7 x 340 mm (slats for shelf) 1 x 350 mm (cross brace) Step by step…

Aeonium ‘Pink Witch’ The spoon-shaped leaves are bright pink and tinged with red, with a dull green centre. The offsets or side branches are short and compact, forming a very attractive clump about 45 cm high. Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ An enchanting cultivar with very dark purple to almost black leaves. The lovely rosettes are carried on long, bare branches up to a height of 90 cm. Individual rosettes of mature plants can produce conical clusters of yellow star-shaped flowers in late winter and spring. Aeonium ‘Medusa’ The scarlet red colour of the leaves with a central dark stripe intensifies in summer, and in winter, the outer edges turn creamy white, adding interest. It has a cascading branching habit. Their growth habits are weird and multi-stemmed, which could either be upright or…

The genus Clivia, known as bush lily, has captivated gardeners and plant collectors worldwide. The genus, consisting of six species, is indigenous to South Africa and Swaziland and has risen to fame in the horticultural trade. Intense selection and breeding have occurred in this country over the last 40 years. In Clivia hybridisation, Clivia miniata and its various cultivars have been developed to have an unending spectrum of colours, ranging from the standard orange and yellow more commonly seen to peach, red, bronze, bicolour, green, and picotee-type flowers, not to mention the fascinating leaf shapes and variegations. In the past twenty years, impressive results have been achieved by crossing various species of clivia. These are known as interspecific hybrids and result from crossing the type with upward-facing trumpet flowers (Clivia…

We all love the Euphorbia ‘Diamond’ range for the pretty cloud-like flowers that cover a neat bush on a tough, hardy plant that looks good all year round. Now we can have pink clouds with the new exciting launch of Euphorbia ‘Tickled Pink’ from Proven Winners and Keith Kirsten. Although they prefer warmer temperatures, ‘Tickled Pink’ can withstand temperatures as low as 5°C. They like a sunny position and prefer moderate watering, although they will cope with a bit of drought. Feed regularly with a balanced fertiliser to keep the plants in tip-top shape and flowering with their pretty pink blooms. Don’t overwater. They make an excellent plant for containers with other plants or on their own in pots and hanging baskets. They will also do well indoors in bright…

Keep them away from harsh direct sunlight until they have anchored their roots well and show signs of growth. When the soil feels dry, you can then start watering them normally. I want more plants of this cultivar with its faded, ghostly-green variegated leaves. Luckily, the zebra plant, as it is commonly called, is quite generous with the production of offsets or ‘pups’ that can be removed. Note: If you have accidentally removed ‘pups’ with no roots on them, do not despair. Allow them to dry out with the others and callous over, then dip their bases into some hormone-rooting powder before planting them. They will sprout roots in a while. Do this Take the plant out of its pot to enable you to identify mature offsets to remove from…

Greg has a passion for turning green spaces into living canvases, and creating gardens into breathtaking outdoor art whilst working towards a sustainable future. With an artist’s eye and a gardener’s touch, Greg will create a bespoke garden for you, endorsed by an extensive portfolio and award-winning designs. www.gregdowsett.co.za. Plant my heat-busting favourites Celosias, gazanias, marigolds, portulaca, annual and perennial salvias, verbenas, zinnias and vincas. How to manage it? • Prepare the soil with lots of compost and add a water retention product before planting.• Buy big, healthy seedlings in six packs and look for bushy, well-established perennials.• Good watering management is essential. Do not water too often or too lightly because you are feeling sorry for the plants. Water deeply early in the morning or late afternoon when the…

Soaker hoses can be connected directly to a tap or a standard hosepipe. It can be positioned anywhere throughout the garden, including on slopes and in rocky gardens. No water pressure is needed, and the slow rate of water delivery means that the water gets to where it needs to go. It can be controlled manually or connected to an automatic controller to time the start and end of a cycle. Another option is the soaker hose, which is designed to let water seep slowly along its length through thousands of pores. This allows an efficient flow of water from the hose directly to the root area of plants where it is most needed. GARDENA MICRO-DRIP-SYSTEM – clever irrigation where every drop counts Scan to learn more Experience precision watering…

Join Freddie to find out what’s new and trending in the world of bedding plants. These Flowering Favourites are available this month at garden centres countrywide ready to be planted in your garden or in a pot. Tip Dianthus is a good companion in the veggie garden with brinjals, potatoes, sweet peppers, and strawberries. The spicy flower scent will ward off bugs. DIANTHUS An ancient Greek botanist named the dianthus ‘divine flower’, and since then, these pretty pinks have been popular annuals in gardens worldwide. Their popularity is also due to their hardy, trouble-free, fragrant, and long-flowering characteristics. They are favourites of butterflies, bees, and birds. They also make excellent cut flowers, giving the home a spicy fragrance. They make good container plants for a pink splash. • Plant in…

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a much-loved and used culinary herb for infusing flavour into slow-cooked stews and potjies, for roast chicken (use as stuffing or under the skin), and for flavouring roasted or sautéed vegetables. It combines well with bay leaf and parsley as part of the traditional bouquet garni. Thyme is a small, bushy perennial herb that grows best in full sun in ordinary garden soil that drains well. Prune or pick regularly to encourage bushy growth; otherwise, plants will become scraggly. Water regularly but don’t over water as it originates from the hot and dry Mediterranean region. Grow from seed: Start in seed trays or small pots. Plant two to three seeds together. Germination takes 14 to 28 days. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, they…

I had a niggling feeling that my current street address was not going to be my last street address. I suppose it is quite logical since we have moved twenty-one times in our lives. I have even stripped a fuse on odd occasions, loaded my bakkie, and moved back to my mother’s a few times, but I do not want that added to the statistics! Old friends used to joke that we suffer from a sort of PMS syndrome, forcing us to move to a different house at the drop of a hat! I must say that we are not ‘rolling stones gathering no moss’, as we did not really leave the towns in which we stayed (12 years in one, 26 years in another, and now 14 years in…