Innholdsfortegnelse for May / June 2025 Winter Bumper i The Gardener Magazine

South African Indigenous Garden Plants A new book by local gurus Elsa Pooley, Geoff Nichols, and Andrew Hankey is on the shelves. This is the gardener’s guide showcasing 2400 indigenous plants in a beautifully illustrated large-format book. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/ The Introduction lays the groundwork, covering climate, various garden styles, spatial planning, and garden maintenance, and offers suggestions for attracting wildlife to the garden. The plant catalogue introduces all the plants, from bulbs, orchids, aloes, shrubs, grasses, trees and fynbos and provides in-depth information on each. Then, the plant selector helps gardeners choose the best for their gardens. This comprehensive guide was compiled over several years and introduces a host of new and exciting possibilities for gardens and gardeners. The book will be available at stores nationwide, or use the website to…

A worm farm is an easy, cheap and efficient mechanism for converting organic waste into liquid feed (worm wee or vermileachate) and rich organic compost (vermicompost), using the natural action of earthworms. Each worm farm houses a large number of rapidly breeding earthworms whilst they process organic waste. The products of the worm are easily harvested and can be used in your garden or farm through direct application or irrigation. From the vermicompost can simply be produced, reputedly the finest compost tea. Worm farms come in various designs and are made of different materials. Some contain a series of trays or compartments with holes in the bottom of each for the earthworms to migrate through. Fresh waste is placed in the top tray and processed waste is harvested from the…

It is easy to get confused by sedums which are commonly called stonecrop. Sedums is a huge genus of 400 – 500 species, found mostly in the Northern Hemisphere, but also extending into the Southern Hemisphere and South America. A common denominator might be that they produce five-petalled flowers with twice as many stamens as petals (if you care to count them). Maybe it is just good to know that they have succulent leaves, some in interesting hues, different shapes and growth habits, and are drought-hardy plants which like to grow in poor, but welldraining sandy soil. Now let us share our top 5 sedums with you. 1 Sedum praealtum This shrubby stonecrop is native to Mexico and has slightly woody stems and fleshy, hairless oblong leaves which are quite…

To safeguard tender plants against the weather, remember to: • Mulch their roots with compost, grass clippings, straw or leaf mould. • Tender standard plants can be protected by winding frost cloth or hessian around their stems. Before doing this, check that their stakes are still secure enough to withstand wind damage, which can snap off their heads. Use soft material like old stockings or ripped T-shirt material as ties – never use wire, string, or plastic. • Tender creepers (we often forget about them!) can be protected overnight with a curtain of frost cloth when a cold spell with frost is predicted. Roll this up in the morning when the weather warms up.…

‘Dry to normal’ Water when the top layer of the soil is dry to the touch, but err on the side of dry, rather than wet (especially true for plants in containers). While these plants will be more tolerant of moist conditions than dry plants, they will not tolerate constantly wet soil. ‘Dry’ Water only when the soil is quite dry. Plants that prefer dry conditions are prone to root rot diseases if kept too wet. Once well established in the ground, dry plants will need little or no supplemental water. ‘Drought-resistant’ Plants that can withstand periods with little to no supplemental water once established in the landscape, with the proviso that they will require regular watering while still young and getting established. Annuals, at least 2-3 weeks; perennials, at…

Value R1000 What’s in the hamper? Everything you need for the upcoming winter season. SeaBrix and Phyta ensure strong and resilient plants through winter, while Radavit helps speed up composting. Finalsan is effective for weeds without poisoning your soil, and when snails or slugs appear, organic Ferramol is fantastic in the wet or dry. Available at retail outlets or online at www.biogrow.co.za Subscribe or renew your annual subscription from 14 April – 16 June 2025 and you will be entered into the competition to win this prize. The winner will be contacted by telephone or email (±2 weeks after the competition closes). Only available to subscribers residing in South Africa. Please see terms and conditions on www.thegardener.co.za. Subscribe Today Stay in Bloom All Year Why Subscribe? • Exclusive Content: Be the…

Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, naartjies, grapefruits, and limes are at their best in winter. All these fruits contain high levels of Vitamin C, which can help reduce the chance of colds and flu by boosting the immune system. A little citrus juice in a glass of water drunk daily will help increase the production of white blood cells that fight viruses. Something new Look out for the new pink lemon, ‘Lemon Rosy’, which has variegated skin and foliage and lovely pink flesh. It will grow to 4 m tall and will make an excellent container plant.…

WHAT YOU NEED Pine PAR (board) 20 mm x 140 mm x 300 mm Pine PAR (stake) 20 mm x 30 mm x 450 mm Wood screws 4 x 30 mm Cordless drill with Phillips drill bit Wood drill bit 3 mm Woodoc Water-Borne MARINE (Matt, Clear) 1 litre Woodoc Colours: Fashion Shade: Full Moon Brights: Red, Yellow and Blue Wood Shades: Meranti Tools Pencil, palette, syringe, synthetic art paintbrushes, flat paintbrush, fine sandpaper Step by step 1. Sand all the wood to remove rough edges and smooth out top. Wipe with a cloth. 2. Draw a design on your pine board. 3. Open and stir the Woodoc Water-Borne MARINE with a paddle and apply one coat to your board. 4. Using a syringe, squirt the Woodoc Colours onto a…

Osteospermum hybrids (Cape daisy, African daisy) Our indigenous Osteospermum ecklonis supplied the genes for many glorious varieties with daisylike flowers in a multitude of bright colours, which lately include yellow. Two tried and tested varieties are Osteospermum ‘Serenity Deep Yellow’ and Osteospermum ‘Voltage Yellow’. Both are perfect choices for hanging baskets, pots, window boxes, and rockeries, as bright borders in mixed beds, on your pavement, or in retaining wall cavities. Plant them in full sun in any well-draining soil, and do not skimp on compost and bonemeal when planting them. If you have sandy soil, these beauties are especially for you! Bracteantha bracteata (strawflower) Bracteantha bracteata ‘Mohave Yellow’ will give you everlasting flower stems in the garden until frost and beyond. They stay in your vase throughout winter as the…

Found in various habitats, from humid rainforests to arid highlands, this diverse genus offers endless fascination for novice growers and seasoned orchid enthusiasts. Yet, behind their striking beauty lies a world of nuanced care and cultivation that can seem daunting at first. In this article, we delve into the secrets of dendrobiums – unpacking their unique growth habits, exploring their diverse species, and uncovering the key to thriving plants. Whether nurturing your first orchid or expanding a blossoming collection, these insights will help you cultivate Dendrobiums that flourish year after year. Prepare to unlock the mysteries of these enchanting plants and transform your space with their vibrant charm. From the beginning The orchid family is a wide and varied plant family with more than 760 genera currently known. Dendrobium is…

Treasure hunt Heliotropes (also lovingly known as cherry pies) would probably not cross my mind when visiting a nursery looking for something to plant in a pot or to fill a gap in my garden, but when I see those dark purple flower clusters and get a whiff of their nostalgic vanilla scent, I scoop it up and bring it home! Heliotropium arborescens ‘Royal Marine’ hails from Peru and belongs to the borage family. This little 70 cm x 40 cm shrub is evergreen with roughly textured oval, dark green leaves. From summer to early winter, it produces dense clusters of purple to violet-blue flowers, which are just irresistible to butterflies! Although used as an annual in challenging climates, this plant will actually flower throughout winter in the temperate regions…

Euphorbia characias ‘Silver Edge’ is a rather attractive and architectural perennial to add to a rockery or gravel garden. It is evergreen and compact (60 cm – 1 m high and wide) with a growth habit of clumping upright stems sprouting from an underground rhizome. The lovely lance-shaped leaves grow in whorls and have a pale grey-green colour edged in silver. In its happy place, which is a mild or Mediterranean climate, it will keep its striking foliage colour throughout winter (when it should be kept on the dry side) and in spring to summer, you will be rewarded with terminal dome-shaped panicles of lime-green floral bracts hiding tiny yellowish-green flowers inside. Growth facts • Full sun and protected from frost. • Any soil type which drains well. • Medium…

Prune with impunity Trees can struggle to recover from harsh treatment. The main objectives of pruning ornamental and fruit trees are to preserve the overall shape of the tree and to open up the canopy by removing some of the internal branches to allow in more sunlight (this is actually the main reason for pruning deciduous fruit trees). When to cut off a large branch If lower side branches become a nuisance to humans or start causing too much shade, they should be removed, allowing more light in to encourage plants to grow underneath. Removing suckers Suckers are vigorous-growing shoots that generally carry neither flowers nor fruit. They can develop at the base of the trunk, on the trunk itself, and sometimes in the middle of the foliage or where…

Winter slows down the growth of your indoor plants, and some might even lose some leaves while they adjust. This, however, is no reason to have a boring indoor garden. Terrariums can add interest to any space, allowing you to be creative. Just remember that terrariums need good light to flourish, and the occasional pruning should your plants get too big. Here’s how you can create a little tropical oasis for your home. What you will need • Glass jar/vase with a lid (the bigger the better) • Fine gravel • Activated charcoal • Potting soil with added vermiculite and palm peat • Weedgard or shade cloth • Rocks, pieces of bark and ornaments • Sponge • Teaspoon • Skewer sticks • Sellotape • Mister/spray bottle • Small tropical plants…

Bonsai trees rely mostly on what lies beneath the surface in the soil. This ensures that the root system remains healthy and gives the tree its vigour and longevity. Repotting a bonsai is an essential part of the art form. NOTE: The soil structure is important, use a good quality product like Bonsai Mix from Bark Unlimited Organics. What to repot now • Tropical and subtropical bonsai. These trees will not go through a true dormancy, so its fine to repot them in winter as long as they are kept indoors or in a greenhouse to keep them warm. • Emergency repotting. When a bonsai has root rot, severely compacted soil or pest infections, repotting is necessary as quickly as possible. It may take the tree longer to recover, but…

Calatheas When it came to calatheas, Mother Nature got out a paintbrush and played around with patterns on big, beautiful leaves. In shades of green with often a bold burgundy underneath, the foliage on these great houseplants is stunning. That alone is why you should grow these. Calatheas are commonly called by many names, including zebra plant, rattlesnake plant and sometimes the prayer plant, because of their close relationship to marantas. Unlike marantas, they don’t fold up their leaves at night. However, the leaves will move during the day to point towards the light. Some calatheas have been moved to the Goeppertia genus. How to grow It’s important to note what calatheas like to get the best out of them. Take note of the following: • They need a warm…

Winning letter Dear Tanya… Many thanks for your fantastic magazine and TV programme, where you share such fantastic tips! Could you please assist with my hibiscus plant? It is currently mid-February in Cape Town (Rondebosch area), and my hibiscus is looking very healthy, with a few flowers on. When is the best time to prune the plant? It has essentially gotten out of hand, and I want to make it more of a shrub size, as opposed to a tree/bush. There is a lot of crowding of plants in that area, and I need to get it under control. What concerns me about the pruning is whether the hibiscus will recover if I cut the stems back by 50% and how long it would take. Years? Should I wait until…

These days, we are often accused of filling our gardens with a mix of ecological junk food and horticultural terrorists. This, in a nutshell, means that the world is experiencing a biodiversity crisis, with one million plant and animal species in danger of extinction due to habitat loss. In some ways, our gardening habits add to the problem. Take a lawn, for example. We line up small plants in rows, water them often, fertilise them every six weeks, remove other plants that dare to invade the space either by hand or with a chemical, prune them every few weeks in the summer, scarify, dethatch, aerate and overseed, all for a green lawn that has no biodiversity value at all. All that work and not a butterfly in sight. The United…

Grasses or grass-likes in various hues add permanent grace to any garden. They are not called ‘ornamental’ for nothing! The feisty fescues Festuca gautieri has fine, bright green blades and grows to about 20 x 20 cm. A stretch of this grass has a tranquil, mossy appearance and tones down colourful feature plants. It is also lovely near water features. These grasses form dense tussocks of soft leaves, appear like bright green grass pillows, and perform superbly in winter. Festucas work especially well as soft groundcover around dramatic accent plants. Also plant Festuca glauca (blue fescue), which has fine blades that are icy blue to silvery steel-grey in colour and intensify in the cold winter months. Growing them Festucas are very cold- and frost-hardy and will tolerate coastal conditions. Plant…

Pampering seedlings In March and April, we said goodbye to old summer friends and are now tending and caring for those plants that will grace us with colour later in winter and spring. A flowering checklist ✔ Feed all winter-flowering annuals every two weeks with a liquid fertiliser. ✔ Perfect cut flowers and late winter bedding besties are stocks (Matthiola incana). The flower spikes are extremely fragrant in shades of dark purple, rose, cream, pink, and white, and the foliage is soft and velvety greyish-green. Prepare the soil well and add a light dusting of lime, but remember never to plant them in a bed where they have previously grown. Keep wellwatered, but don’t overdo it. Do not cultivate around them as it loosens the small roots causing retarded growth.…

As we are already into our early winter season, some regions might already be too cold for sowing directly, although in temperate or subtropical climates, it is business as usual, so give it a good bash with these: Anchusa capensis (Cape forget-me-not) Annual or bi-annual with rough stems and leaves and upright growth. Expect brilliant blue flowers from spring to autumn. Nigella damascene (love-in-a-mist) Tall annual with lovely ferny bright green foliage protecting stems with fluffy flowers in shades of blue. Its interesting seed pods add another attraction. Shirley poppies Cultivars derived from the European wild field poppy Papaver rhoeas produce the most stunning blooms with crinkled papery petals in vivid colours. After they wilt, they leave behind very interesting seed pods containing many seeds to share around. Felicia amelloides (kingfisher daisy)…

One often sees these systems in gardens with missing or mall-functioning micro sprays spouting a stream of water missing a plant completely, pop-up or cone sprinkler heads in a lawn or in a dense shrub bed that cannot pop up easily as they are clogged by root growth or have been damaged by garden maintenance, just burbling helplessly causing great puddles of mud. The worst is the rotary sprinklers with broken armatures or other parts wastefully sending a stream of water into a road. If you see all of this happening in the hottest part of the day or during a rain shower, there could be no doubt that something is off with the irrigation scheduling via its controller. The timing of irrigation should have been programmed to run either…

There is no plant family with more grace and elegance than the genus Restionaceae – one of the three major families that are called fynbos. We suggest two popular species as must-haves to include in your garden. These plants will grow quite happily outside of their natural habitat in different climatic zones, so have yourself a little fynbos… Elegia capensis (horsetail restio) Elegia capensis grows into large clumps or tussocks, producing sturdy but slender culms (resembling bamboo) from underground rhizomes. The soft, needle-like immature leaves are protected by a leaf-like structure or sheath folded around the culms at each node. As the stems mature, forming each section, these sheaths turn dry like parchment and start folding away from the stem – a very decorative and audible phase as there is…

Now is a good time to inspect all my carnivorous plants. The Sarracenias will be going for their winter sleep, so pruning is necessary to avoid disease and pests in spring when new pitchers appear. I will also reduce frequent watering for these beauties and clean the drip trays. The nepenthes need a good clean. Many of the cups are dead, and because their pitcher production will slow down, this is a good time to tie new stakes for the vines or cut back overgrown vines to keep them neat and compact. NEW PLANT Aeschynanthus radicans ‘Rasta’ With the sweet name of lipstick plant, who wouldn’t want one of these! Lipstick plants are ideal for humid bathrooms as long as they receive bright light. Display them on a shelf or…

● Protect crops from slugs and snails by using barriers or traps. ● Watch for signs of downy mildew, especially in damp weather. From our list of winter veg you can grow this season, we can tabulate what to use as bait crops for each: Main Crop Bait Crop Artichokes Borage, calendula, radishes Beetroot Marigolds, radishes Broccoli Nasturtiums, marigolds, alfalfa Brussels Sprouts Mustard, onions, garlic, radishes Cabbage Mustard, radish, nasturtium Carrots Onion, garlic Cauliflower  Nasturtiums, marigolds, yarrow Celery Marigolds, nasturtiums Garlic Marigolds, basil Kale Calendula, radishes Leeks Calendula, nasturtiums, poppies Onions Carrots, marigolds, leeks Pumpkin Nasturtiums, radishes Radishes Marigolds, nasturtiums Sweet potatoes Mustard, radishes, nasturtiums Swiss chard Calendula, radishes, nasturtiums Turnips Marigolds Consider all the other companion plants that repel insects with strong scents, such as rosemary, sage, thyme, basil,…

ANNA CELLIERS Are we failing kids? Losing your milk teeth meant primary school, and gaining hormones and blackheads meant high school – it used to be so simple! In the ‘Baby Boomer’ age, a mother decided when it was time for one of her offspring to go to school. Her criteria to judge school readiness was simple… If you were five to seven, could tie shoe laces without help, and irritated your minder (Grandma) too much, she reckoned that it was time for you to learn how to read and do sums to become more useful. Mom had to beg her boss for a day’s leave to drop me off on my first school day. She did not really stick around, wasting the day. She left me at the classroom…