1. By the light of the silvery moon. Grey foliage indigenous plants - By Leigh Nieuwoudt
The soft powdery greys, blue greys and silver metallics are some of the most versatile, waterwise and showy of all foliage plants. Indigenous genera boast a multitude of species that can be used in veld gardens, rockeries, mixed borders, containers and even the edge of woodland gardens. Most grey foliage plants thrive in hot, dry climates and many do well where little else wants to grow. For some like the bloubos, Petalidium oblongifolium, the harsher the conditions, the more beautiful the metallic leaves and the more prolific the flowering! Read more....
2. Captivating Succulents - By Leigh Nieuwoudt
Succulents are often confused with cacti, the latter conjuring up images of the American and Mexican wild west. Cacti occur in the Americas and most are thorny. South Africa has only one true cactus namely, rhipsalis baccifera (the miseltoe cactus), and it does not resemble a cactus at all. Read more....
3. Container landscaping with Indigenous Bulbs - By Leigh Nieuwoudt
Indigenous bulbs, the gems of South Africa are prized by collectors from the Pacific Rim to Europe. Once that bug has bitten, we cannot contain our sheer excitement each season when we keep our bulbs under constant surveillance to see the first of the winter growers sprouting in late summer and in early September, the summer bulbs heralding the arrival of spring. Read more....
4. The Garden Wall - Indigenous Hedges & Screens - By Leigh Nieuwoudt
If there is one aspect of gardening that definitely requires some pre-purchase research, it is the selection of hedge or screen plants. Mistakes will not only be costly financially but by the time the hedge has started to take shape or in some instances, the lack of dense form, one might realize that this is not quite what was anticipated. So where do we begin? Read more....
5. The Indigenous Patio - By Leigh Nieuwoudt
Our glorious South African climate allows us to create a showpiece of our most beautiful flora in select containers on our patios and balconies. From fiery aloes and amazing succulents to free flowering, showy shrubs and fascinating bulbs with spectacular leaves and stunning flowers. There are many low maintenance container subjects but there are also certain plants that require a little more attention & not all plants are suitable container subjects Read more....
6. Indigenous Plants for a Tuscan-style Home - By Leigh Nieuwoudt
The ever-popular Tuscan home tends to have a more formal-style garden. Lavender, Conifers, standard Iceberg roses, lollipops, neatly clipped exotic hedges and even cycads have become the norm but there are many, many simply delightful indigenous plants that not only complement the Tuscan style, but are also much better suited to our climate & attract a multitude of birds and butterflies. Read more....
7. Indigenous Security Hedge Plants - By Leigh Nieuwoudt
Selecting suitable indigenous shrubs to create a serious security hedge can be very tricky particularly in frosty parts of the country. Even though we would all prefer to have a healthy, bird-friendly, thorny impenetrable hedge or thicket instead of palisade, electric fencing and high walls, the reality is that security hedges need to be nurtured over a period of time in order to create a natural boundary and in some instances the best security is both a natural and steel/ brick boundary. There are a number of important aspects to remember when considering any kind of long term hedge Read more....
8. That Blooming Bulb Bug Summer-flowering Indigenous Bulbs - By Leigh Nieuwoudt
The indigenous ‘blooming bulb bug’ is contagious and this sentiment is shared by passionate plant collectors from the Pacific Rim to Scandinavia. South Africa boasts approximately 2000 bulb species Read more....
9. The Formal Indigenous Courtyard - By Leigh Nieuwoudt
There is a serious misconception that indigenous plants have a tendency to become very untidy, are difficult to maintain, are not colourful enough and are only ‘useful’ in waterwise gardens and to bring wildlife into the garden. The incredible variety of indigenous plants available almost countrywide now, is so overwhelming that there cannot be any doubt about the versatility and charm of indigenous and the creation of a formal indigenous courtyard will dispel any myths. Read more....
10. The Scented Indigenous Courtyard - By Leigh Nieuwoudt
Container gardening reflects our personal, creative style most profoundly and the scented indigenous courtyard is something different, always interesting, always colourful and wildlife-friendly as many scented plants attract butterflies. In order to maximize this ‘celebration of the senses’ year round, a combination of scented flowers and aromatic foliage is necessary. Read more....
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