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Gardening Chat
26Feb-20

More about Myrtle

Myrtle -  Botany Myrtus, with the common name myrtle, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae The genus Myrtus has three species recognised today: Myrtus communis – Common myrtle; native to the Mediterranean region in southern Europe. Myrtus nivellei – Saharan myrtle; native to North Africa. Myrtus phyllireaefolia In the garden Myrtus communis is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for use as a shrub in gardens and parks. It is often used as a hedge plant, with its small leaves shearing cleanly. The...
5Jun-19

Respect the Spek: The amazing Spekboom

Posted By Category: Gardening Chat, Gardening TipsComments: 0
Portulacaria afra also known as Spekboom, Elephant’s food, Elephant bush, Dwarf jade plant or Porkbush is a fast growing succulent that belongs to the Purslane family. It is an industrious little plant with a huge heart. To name just a few of its amazing attributes: Easy to grow Low maintenance Great for hedges Reduces soil erosion Makes a lovely bonsai Drought tolerant and water wise Stimulates a return of biodiversity in the area because of its soil-binding and shading...
2Jun-19

No Need to Fear the Frost

We’ve all been there, losing a favourite member of our garden or that rare tropical plant to winters icy whim.  The winters here on the Highveld can be erratic at best with beautiful sunny days that just make you want to soak up the sun's warming rays, to those days where you are locked in bed and can’t get out due to the cold.  Before we find out how to fight the frost lets first have a look at...
Heckers
11Feb-19

Top 10 plants for attracting butterflies to your garden

Posted By Category: Gardening Chat, Gardening Tips, Summer Gardening, Wildlife GardeningComments: Comments Off
Attracting butterflies to your garden can be quite a conundrum at times. We want beautiful butterflies to grace our gardens but not their caterpillars which are the larval stage of butterflies.  Caterpillars feed on their specific host plants, whilst causing some damage to the plant, it is not enough to harm them permanently. The host plant will soon recover. The Basics When trying to encourage butterflies to your garden try not to use insecticides, as this will kill either the adult...
Bulbs South Africa Hecker Gauteng Hyacinths Winnie
10Apr-18

Grow your own Heavenly Hyacinths

Posted By Category: Autumn Gardening, Gardening ChatComments: 0
Anyone who loves beautiful things will adore a garden of Hyacinths. From ancient Greek lore to French royalty, these gorgeous blooms have been a favourite throughout history. Hyacinths originate from the eastern Mediterranean, West and Central Asia but are grown and adored all over the world. In South Africa, the most commonly seen hyacinths stem from plants cultivated in the Netherlands during the 18th century and are blue, pink or white. Hyacinths enchant many species! Fragrant and striking, hyacinths were a...
WTF Mushrrom Winnie
1Feb-18

What the fungi

From bread mould to penicillin, fungi are an integral part of our world. Although it might not be obvious, fungi are all around us. The Fungal kingdom is so big that in 2017 estimates suggest that there may be between 2.2 million to 3.8 million species in existence. What makes Fungi truly amazing is its diverse range of shapes, sizes, and colours. Fungi range from the microscopic to giant organisms. The Honey fungus is the biggest recorded homogeneous organism...
Orchid & Collector's Plan Fair
20Nov-17

Weird and Wonderful Plants

All plants are unique and wonderful in their own way, yet there are some plants that truly stand out.  Welcome to the wonderful world of Orchids, Bromeliads, and Carnivorous plants.  Whether it is Orchids or Bromeliads which stun with their exquisite flowers or perfect geometric designs, or Carnivorous plants which have managed to turn the tables on nature by trapping its own food.  These plants are viewed as collector plants although some have become very popular, such as the...
17Nov-17

Bougainvilleas: the ultimate splash of summer colour

Posted By Category: Gardening Chat, Summer GardeningComments: 0
Through all the hail and dry weather my Bougainvilleas at home still have so many flowers that I cannot even see the leaves. Though I have to admit that I really don’t feed them as often as I should.  Bougainvilleas are one of those plants that continue to amaze me year after year, with their masses of flowers, toughness, and adaptability to harsh conditions. However, before I share a few simple tips on growing Bougainvilleas, here is one of...
11Mar-17

The magical allure of autumn

Posted By Category: Autumn Gardening, Gardening ChatComments: 0
Autumn conjures up images of trees changing colour, chill mornings and wrapping your hand around a mug of hot chocolate. Traditionally autumn was a time to harvest crops, stockpiling food for winter and celebrating the harvest. Yet autumn is also a time of abundance and beauty. This we find in the stunning colours we get from the plant's leaf colour changing. In this article, I will have a look at why leaf colour changes, highlight plants with colourful foliage...
2Dec-16

Garden with nature, not against it.

With the rains finally arriving, our gardens have suddenly been transformed into an oasis of green and colour. With this change, the creatures and critters in our gardens also spring to life. These denizens are often misunderstood and unappreciated. However, they play an integral role in maintaining a natural, healthy equilibrium in our gardens. When looking at nature, you will find that everything is in balance and sustainable. Nothing goes to waste and everything, no matter how big or small,...