Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i The Gardener Magazine

Spring has officially sprung – and with it comes that irresistible urge to dig, plant, and plant some more! This issue is a real treat, packed with inspiration, heart, and fresh ideas to get you dreaming (and digging). I have to start with our Dream Garden – and what a dream it is! Perched high above Knysna, this magical space, the home of Richard and Stella, owners of Narnia Guest House, feels like something from a storybook. Reborn after the devastating 2017 fires, it’s a garden shaped by love, memory, and sheer determination. With whimsical wire sculptures, flower-filled rockeries, formal touches and wild, rambling corners – it’s a breathtaking celebration of resilience and beauty. I found it deeply moving and wonderfully uplifting, and I think you will too. Back at…

Our editor, Tanya Visser, is taking a well-deserved break with fellow magazine contributors after a long day toiling on the South African Chelsea stand. Read all about it in this issue. From left to right, Tessa and Greg Dowsett (see the lawn care article on page 72 written by Greg), Tanya in the middle, Brett Halliday (very important equipment carrier for the day) and Gillian O’Donoghue (our excellent designer and the photographer for the Chelsea show). Tanya joined the crew to build the South African exhibit this year. Read her story from page 20.…

A highlight of the festival is Chelsea Flowers in Stanford, a replica of Leon Kluge and Tristan Woudberg’s award-winning exhibit from the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It will also include botanical art from the Grootbos Florilegium Collection and special plant displays. Four Grootbos Private Nature Reserve staff ambassadors joined Leon and Tristan’s creative build team in London to pull off this artistic floral exhibit, and they will build it all over again in the village of Stanford for all of South Africa to enjoy. Day pass tickets for the display can be bought via Webtickets or at the door. This festival features talks, workshops, demonstrations, a central, permanent two-week market on the heritage Village Green in the heart of Stanford, music, art, a performance by the Cape Winelands Philharmonic…

Good spring cleaning Don’t hose down paths, patios and driveways – use a broom, rake, outdoor blower or vacuum instead. If moss and weeds have invaded your paved areas over winter, apply a moss killer and ready-to-use herbicides to clean them rather than using water and a pressure sprayer. Ask the experts ● If your water account has suddenly gone up, call in a plumber to check for leaks that you might not be able to detect and have it fixed. ● Install drip irrigation (for 90% efficiency!) There is no water pressure needed, and the slow rate delivers the water exactly where it needs to go – the roots of plants! Dive in with a good conscience Use a cover over your pool to reduce evaporation and the need…

When things start waking up in spring, out come the usual pests and diseases, some of which have been hiding under leaves and in the soil through winter, just waiting to pounce. Let’s see what we can do about aphids and powdery mildew this spring. Aphids Although there are many different kinds of aphids, and each will attack a different plant, they are mostly controlled by the same methods. The reason why aphids are a problem is that they suck out the sap from plants and destroy its structure from the inside. They can also spread disease and get out of control really quickly. Here are some tips to get control: ● With bad infections, cut away leaves and stems if you can without decimating the plant. ● For minor…

Book club Proteas of the Fynbos by John Manning This new book on Proteas of the Fynbos features 165 of the Cape Floristic Region’s more common or showy species, with pointers to many more. Each species account details diagnostic features, flowering times, habitats and distribution, while colour photographs showcase the beauty and diversity of this charismatic plant group. An informative introduction explores the biology, pollination, origin and conservation status of fynbos proteas, and highlights features to aid identification. www.struiknatureclub.co.za Get ahead of weeds the easy way Protek Weed Destroyer is a potent systemic herbicide that effectively controls weeds and grasses. It is active when applied to the green foliage and green stems of actively growing weeds, targeting various unwanted vegetation for lasting results. The 2-pack size options that are available make…

Visiting the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a dream come true for almost every gardener, and I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to do so a few times. Every visit is like the first – full of excitement, joy, wonder and amazement. It’s a magical event and an incredible experience. But what I have never before had the opportunity to do, and what has been a dream of mine for years, is to be a real part of the show – to get my hands dirty and play a small part in building a magnificent display from scratch. To be part of a team, but not just any team – the multiple Gold-medal-winning South African team under the leadership of a good friend and horticultural legend, Leon Kluge.…

Erica gracilis ‘Fairy Bells’ A cloud of dainty, bell-shaped flowers covers this hard-to-resist heather hybrid in August and September, creating real flower power! It is indigenous. Flower colour: Bright pink. Features: Attracts birds and honeybees. Aspect: Full sun. Soil: Sandy. Climate: Temperate with moderate frost tolerance. Uses: Perfect for roomy containers. Pick the flowers to maintain the shape of the plant. Size: 1 x 1 m. Polygala fruticosa ‘Petit Butterfly’ A lovely hybrid of the large September bush with an evergreen and compact growth habit. Flowers in September, with more blooms appearing on and off throughout the year. It is also indigenous. Flower colour: Magenta-pink. Features: Fast-growing and loved by honeybees. Aspect: Full sun. Soil: Sandy. Climate: Tolerant of light frost and wind resistant. Uses: Plant in containers and mixed…

Many animals today suffer from not getting enough minerals and vitamins in their diets from the pet food that you buy at the store. While pet food manufacturers list all the nutrients on the packaging, pet food is often irradiated to remove bacteria and microorganisms (and keep them shelf stable), which also degrades some of the nutrients. By adding food from the garden, you effectively include fresh vitamins and minerals into a pet’s diet, which in the long run will keep them healthier. Please note that it is recommended to supplement their diets, rather than replace balanced pet food formulas. Dogs and cats that can roam outside will often instinctively get their own nutrients from chewing on grass or vegetables in the garden. Those house animals need their humans to…

Salvia elegans is a tall, perennial herb with flowers in late spring and summer, characterised by a pineapple scent, which is how it earns its common name. It will grow up to 1 m tall, with soft, hairy leaves and bright red, tubular flowers arranged in whorls around spikes. Bees, butterflies and nectar birds flock to the flowers, and they make a splash of colour in garden beds and in containers. How to grow ● Grow in full sun with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. They will take some shade. ● Plant in light, fertile soil that is well-draining. ● Water regularly at the beginning to establish the roots, and then water only when the top 10 cm of soil is dry. If it’s wilting from the…

What to look for in a potting soil Before you start potting, consider the soil you will be using. Not all potting soils are specialised enough to grow houseplants in; some are heavy and compact quickly, while others need amendments. Being manic about my plants, I was delighted to find Bark Unlimited Organics Indoor Potting Soil, which is specifically formulated to allow for good drainage and healthy root development. It’s made up of fine, organic compost, lightweight soil conditioners and moisturebalancing components, all in a bag, ready to use. And the best part is that it comes in 2 dm³ resealable bags, making it ideal for those with limited storage space. For more info visit www.barkunlimited.co.za. Tip Before repotting, remove all the dead and damaged leaves from your plant.…

Bars or stripes for your Clivia? George Mann @theplantfinder The world of variegated plants has enthralled both gardeners and plant collectors alike for many centuries. Variegated clivia were, in the past, considered rare, but they have become more readily available. Work on the improvement of variegated forms of clivia, which for many years were restricted to Japan and China, where they were almost exclusively used as foliage plants. It is only in recent times that more focus has been given also to improve the flower shapes and colours; resulting is some remarkable plants being developed. Here is a short description of the various types of variegation: Longitudinal or striated variegation This can display on a leaf in various shades of yellow to white and in various thickness. The following comes…

On top of a hill 3 km from the iconic town of Knysna lies Narnia Guest House, which commands views of the famous Knysna Heads, lagoon, river, and Outeniqua mountains. Here lies a garden unlike any other, an acre of earth reborn from fire, sculpted with love and nurtured by memory. Owned by Richard and Stella Sohn, this spectacular garden blends the formal elegance of structured beds with the wild whimsy of a rambling country haven. It reflects not just the diversity of South African and international flora but also the resilience of the human spirit. When Richard purchased the land in 1988, it was just a stretch of wild slopes with scattered pockets of pine, black wattle and gums, interspersed with dashes of fynbos and grasses. They removed all…

Impatiens The new, improved impatiens varieties are a must for any spring garden. These annuals are among the most colourful for shady areas, and some can even be planted in full sun, making them very versatile in the garden. They also make excellent container plants. ● Sunpatiens: Sunpatiens are the original and trusted sun-loving Impatiens. They don’t just tolerate full sun and high temperatures, they thrive in it. They are the ideal plant for worry-free colour in sun or shade, rain or shine from early spring to early winter. 66 x 81 cm. ● Beacon: A great colour selection in this improved hybrid with a high resistance to downy mildew. They offer a vibrancy in the shade and make great bright hanging baskets or containers. 36 x 46 cm. ●…

Over the top… Pelargonium grandiflorum (large flowered pelargonium) has been cultivated since Victorian times and it’s easy to see why, as nobody who loves flowers with happy faces can resist them. Over time, many hybrids of these regal plants have been developed, and today we can plant the ‘Elegance’ series with their superb garden performance in a wide range of colours from white to different pinks and even very dark burgundy with large flowers characteristically ‘stained’ with contrasting or complementary hues. This range is highly recommended not only for intricately patterned, spectacular flowers held on sturdy stems, but also for their rippled, dark green, tooth-edged leaves and bushy, yet compact growth habits. Mature size is about 40 cm high with a spread of 100 cm. When is bloom time? These…

Add the rolled oats and the flax seeds into a food processor and blend until the mix is more like flour. Add the pumpkin and peanut butter and process until it becomes a dough. Knead together and roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1 cm thick. Cut into rectangles or use a cookie cutter to make shapes and place them on parchment paper on a baking tray. Bake at 180 °C for 20-25 minutes. Cool and store in an airtight container. If you want to add any of the ingredients on the top 10 list, replace some pumpkin with the vegetable. Add a little water if necessary to get the right consistency.…

Colour bags will be bigger plants for that instant garden effect, while seedlings in trays may take some time to get established and grow as big as the colour bags. Select the option that suits your budget and aligns with your goals. These are some of the seedlings you can expect to find at your local nursery, and the reasons to plant them. Cape Daisies We grow Dimorphotheca (osteospermums) because of the incredible variety of colourful daisy flowers. They are also indigenous, drought-tolerant, longblooming and perfect for full sun. Alyssum The pretty, white or purple alyssum has a lovely fragrance and attracts a myriad pollinators, especially bees. They are great container plants, and the white form is a bright contrast to other colourful annuals. Plant in full sun with afternoon…

General placing These are some of the things to note when placing a water feature: ✔ Position it close to the house. This is so it can be enjoyed and not forgotten at the end of the garden. It’s also a handy position to get electrical outlets for pumps and fountains. ✔ See, hear and interact. Decide where you spend most of your time outdoors, such as the patio or deck, and position the water feature where it can be heard, seen, and, in the case of wildlife and fish, interacted with. If you’re indoors, try positioning a water feature to take advantage of a window view. ✔ Use the terrain. A slope can be a good starting point for creating a waterfall and a meandering stream. This also makes…

There are several reasons to sow seed in biodegradable or recycled containers, including convenience, healthier plant growth and reducing transplant shock, but perhaps the best reason is that you can use what you would normally throw away. Pots can be classified as plantable, where the roots will penetrate through the pot into the ground; biodegradable, where the pot will break down; and compostable, which will take a little more time to break down in the ground. They are all eco-friendly. Here are some to try: Paper pots Newspaper pots are cheap and easy to make. They last long enough for the seedlings to grow big enough to plant straight into the soil, and the paper breaks down quickly within a few weeks. To make newspaper pots, fold a few layers…