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43 Articles

Get comfortable, because this magazine is going to transport you to many places! We take you beyond the town of Underberg into the Southern Drakensberg to a small town called Creighton, where a cheese-producing passion meets a love affair with roses – over 450 to be more on point! You may think it strange that we are showcasing a rose garden in full bloom with all the trimmings of gorgeous perennials at this time of the year, but this decision was very deliberate for me. These cooler months are indeed the time to be inspired, dream, and plan, and then put those plans into action. So, if it is a rose garden that has been at the top of the list, well, then sit back and enjoy. Karen Stokes’ garden…

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…

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…

Garden GALLERIA

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…

Garden GALLERIA

Perfectly imperfect PERFECTION

The Stokes live in the small town of Creighton that lies about 40 km from Underberg. The bustling farm is at the hub of the family-run Creighton Valley Cheese Factory, which, with the help of other dairy farms, produces about ten tonnes of cheese a day and stands as a testament to sustainable farming and a deep love for the land. And at the heart of this gardening love story is Karen, whose passion for gardening has transformed the landscape around their home into a floral wonderland. Karen’s journey with the garden began 25 years ago when she moved onto the family farm with her husband, Hayden. The garden was originally overseen by her mother-in-law, Jill, and was already well established when she took over its care. The proverbial handing…

Perfectly imperfect PERFECTION

UN-SCAPE your garden

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…

UN-SCAPE your garden

Setting up a WORM FARM

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…

Setting up a WORM FARM

Unlocking the secrets of Dendrobiums

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…

Unlocking the secrets of Dendrobiums

Small GRASSES with BIG IMPACT

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…

Small GRASSES with BIG IMPACT

5 versatile sedums

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…

5 versatile sedums

IN THE GARDEN WITH TANYA

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…

IN THE GARDEN WITH TANYA

In the flower garden

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.…

In the flower garden

Cutworms Keep a lookout for cutworms on newly planted annuals and perennials. Cutworm caterpillars feed at night and hide just below the surface of the soil during the day. Scratch around the soil and if they are present, use cutworm bait or a drench of caterpillar insecticide around all your soft-stemmed plants. Snails Snails will be looking for places to overwinter. Clean up under containers and clumps of perennials where they will huddle together – they especially love to hide under dense clumps of agapanthus. Put out fresh snail bait amongst young seedlings. Tips Mulches like peach pips or gravel help to protect against marauding snails.…

Maintenance for established lawns ● If not done in April, give it a last dose of slow-releasing fertiliser to strengthen the plant cells before winter really sets in, watering well afterwards. ● In summer rainfall areas, water lawns every two to three weeks. ● Set the blades of your lawnmower high and mow as needed. ● If the lawn is frosted, keep off it as much as possible, as it encourages the growth of moss and algae and damages the leaf blades. ● Watch out for winter grass (Poa annua), an annual weed germinating on winter lawns. It is normally visible as small clumps of bright green grass with fine brown seed heads, overwintering in damp, shady areas. Remove it by hand or apply a weed killer. ● You can…

Do some last sowing

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)…

Do some last sowing

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.…

Mediterranean spurge

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…

Mediterranean spurge

Maintain your H2 0 system

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…

Maintain your H2 0 system

How to understand how to water

‘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…

How to understand how to water

Do some PATIO POTTING NOW!

Potted grass It is no secret that most ornamental grasses are at their best in the cooler months – they love low temperatures, intensifying their foliage colours! It is also no secret that grassy gardens have become one of the most popular planting schemes, where swathes of plumes sway rhythmically in the breeze. But have you ever considered planting graceful grass as a single specimen in a pot? Try Carex oshimensis ‘Feather Falls’, which forms a super-sized clump of arching and cascading white and green variegated leaves. The foliage of this robust and strappy plant will not burn in full sun and the feathery and dainty plumes it produces stay around for ages. It is evergreen, cold-, and frosthardy, and should the strappy leaves lose their vigour, it can be…

Do some PATIO POTTING NOW!

PREHISTORIC without a permit!

So, perhaps steering away from owning expensive indigenous cycads (which are costly and require a permit as they are protected by national as well as provincial legislation), what would the ordinary gardener’s options be to plant? Take a look at two exotic cycads in the genus Cycas – both have the typical palm- and fernlike growth form with woody trunks, crowned with lush rosettes of large, pinnate leaves and both will supply that strong structural look in the garden or in large containers. You do not have to ask for anybody’s permission to plant them, and they are readily available at garden centres. Cycas revoluta (sago palm) This cycad is native to southern Japan and is a very popular garden plant and bonsai subject. It is also used as an…

PREHISTORIC without a permit!

GREG’S TOP TIPS

Around the yard Winter pool maintenance Give your swimming pool some last care before winter sets in. ✔ Use an algaecide to treat green and black algae. ✔ Do an open backwash to ensure that the sand in the filter is clean. To do this switch off the pump and remove the top cover. Set the pump to backwash and switch it on. ✔ Agitate the sand to remove any remaining dirt. This will improve the efficiency of the filter reducing the amount of time the pump needs to run. ✔ Check the alkalinity and pH levels with a home test kit. If chlorine levels are low, small quantities can be added over winter. ✔ Cover your pool with a GeoBubble blanket sold per metre in 3-metre-wide rolls (available at…

GREG’S TOP TIPS

Planting perennials in autumn and winter

Inspired to plant! The following gallery of plants is in flower now:…

Planting perennials in autumn and winter

Although traditionally advised to plant in spring (mostly pertaining to the Northern hemisphere), the advantage of planting in autumn to early winter (in our lovely climate) is time … It is time allowed for plants to settle in before having to perform in the following season. You can also plant so-called herbaceous perennials that will soon go dormant in deep winter before sprouting out again from their rootstocks in spring, as you want those rootstocks to take hold! If cold and frost set in, simply protect them with a mulch of leaf mould or frost cloth. By spring, they will have settled, and new growth will be sooner, with lots of shoots giving you large numbers of flowers. Buy well-developed plants To speed up the time it takes for plants…

For thrifty and patient gardeners

At arm’s length When creating a bed of mixed perennials, consider the practical and the aesthetic points of view. You want to easily reach all the plants to maintain and pick flowers. For this reason, gardeners of yesteryear always used the length of an outstretched arm as a yardstick for determining the width of a flower border. The longer the bed, the more effective it will be. Another trick is to repeat sequences rather than plant too many different species. Three to five species are ample for a single-depth border 5 m long. Seeds are cheaper than ready-to-plant items, but the best perennial plants to grow from seed are those that are difficult to find in nurseries or garden centres or those that are expensive to buy in large numbers…

For thrifty and patient gardeners

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…

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…

A winter wonderland in annuals

Petunias Petunias are known for their long flowering season and the huge variety of colours and patterns you can get in a seedling punnet. They bloom from spring right through to autumn. There are several types, including spreading and trailing types, and they can be planted in garden beds, used as a groundcover, and make excellent potted plants on their own or mixed with other plants. Look out for ‘Wave’, ‘Merlin’, ‘Daddy’, ‘Shake’, and ‘Dreams’ at your local nursery and go wild. How to grow • Plant in full sun, or they will become leggy. • Amend soil with compost and make sure it’s well-draining. Use good potting soil in containers and add perlite for extra drainage. • Water deeply at least once a week and containers more often. Deep…

A winter wonderland in annuals

Grow Wayne’s favourite plants

The best way to have a beautiful garden is to be in the garden. The more often you are in the garden, if not your own, an open garden, a friend’s garden or even a garden centre, the more the inspiration will come naturally. We all have a little aspiration side, and the more you are exposed to beautiful gardens, the more you’ll naturally find ways to improve your own garden. I have a few go-to favourite winter plants for whenever I feel I need a boost of something to chase away the winter blues. Camellias Camellias are one of my best shrubs in any garden. Besides the fact that they flower at a time of the year when few other shrubs are in flower, they are extremely versatile. In…

Grow Wayne’s favourite plants

Rose of the month

Brass Trumpet ‘Brass Trumpet’ is a powerfully performing hybrid tea rose with beautiful star-shaped blooms in mellow tones of old-gold with a touch of yellow at the base of each petal. The deep-centred blooms are a perfect hide-away and source of food for bees. These blooms, one to each slender stem, are produced in an incredible abundance in a candelabra fashion. Growing to about head height, their dominant colour is irresistible, making it a focal point in a border or rose bed. Truly an easy rose to grow. Rose Care • The roses will slowly go into dormancy for winter, but with regular watering and fortnightly spraying to prevent black spot and pests, they can flower into winter. Adding Copper Count N to Ludwig’s Insect Spray should help keep black…

Rose of the month

Subscribe and win!

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…

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Indoor hotties for winter make a terrarium

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…

Indoor hotties for winter make a terrarium

What’s happening in my orchid house

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…

What’s happening in my orchid house

Colour in punnets

This season is the perfect time to plant violas, pansies and snapdragons. These pretty flowering annuals will flower for ages, so are a good investment. Let’s see what they need to grow well: TIP Plant violas and pansies in and around already planted containers to act as a mulch and keep the plant roots warm. Growing tips • Water the seedling trays before planting out. • Add compost and bonemeal to the soil before planting the seedlings. Make sure the soil is well-draining. • Carefully loosen the roots around the seedlings and set into the soil gently pressing them in. Not too much as to compact the soil, but enough so they are secure. • Water them after planting and then every 2-3 days until they are established. • Pansies…

Colour in punnets

REPOTTING BONSAI

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…

REPOTTING BONSAI

The best soup starts with a good stock

A good stock is the heart of any good soup. Another benefit of making your own stock is using up all the bits from the garden that would otherwise end up in the compost heap. But let’s take it a step further and make stock cubes. This is what you need ● A selection of vegetables like potatoes, celery, carrots, onion, peas, spinach, parsnips, fennel, peas, mushrooms, etc. ● Aromatic herbs like garlic, parsley, coriander, basil, spring onions, etc. ● An oil like olive oil or a neutral oil. ● Seasonings like salt will act as a preservative, but other seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, mushroom powder, turmeric, celery seed, pepper and dried herbs can all add extra flavour. Avoid cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, or cauliflower, and leeks…

The best soup starts with a good stock

Seasonal citrus

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.…

Seasonal citrus

Plan your bait crops

One of the most valuable things you can plant in your veggie garden is a bait or trap crop between the ones you want to eat. This sacrificial plant will lure pests like insects away from veggies and act as a decoy. Some bait crops will even attract beneficial insects, making the garden even more productive. Choosing the correct bait crop for your particular vegetable is essential to get the most benefit. Then, plant it as a border around the prized veggies or intercrop in rows, making sure not to plant too close to what you want to protect. Tip Bait crops are more beneficial when in flower, so most need to be planted before crops. This is usually two weeks before planting veggies, and then continue planting your bait…

Plan your bait crops

● 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,…

BOTANICAL TALES

We have a hostage situation…. George Mann @theplantfinder Coming in all shapes and sizes, the genus Ceropegia has kept the plant world fascinated and enthralled for many generations. Their unique flowers often resemble something one would expect to find in a sci-fi movie. Several species are found across South Africa, with their distribution range extending onto Australia and southern Asia. The most wellknown species within the genus is undoubtedly the world-famous Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii, commonly referred to as the string of hearts. This infallible little house plant has graced many a windowsill. What makes this genus unique is the way in which they are pollinated. The fascinating and rather intricate flower structures are built for one reason only: to capture and trap their pollinators. The funnel-like structures, with downward…

BOTANICAL TALES

Easy and creative labels for your garden

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…

Easy and creative labels for your garden

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…

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…

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The Gardener (Digital) Subscription April 1st, 2024 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) April 2024: $1.95

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription May 1st, 2025 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) May / June 2025 Winter Bumper: $2.02

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription March 1st, 2025 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) March / April 2025: $2.02

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription January 1st, 2025 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) January / February 2025: $1.98

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription December 1st, 2024 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) December 2024: $2.05

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription November 1st, 2024 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) November 2024: $2.10

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription October 1st, 2024 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) October 2024: $2.14

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription September 1st, 2024 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) September 2024: $2.07

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription July 1st, 2024 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) July/August 2024: $2.03

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription May 1st, 2024 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) May/June 2024: $1.97

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription April 1st, 2024 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) April 2024: $1.95

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription May 1st, 2025 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) May / June 2025 Winter Bumper: $2.02

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription March 1st, 2025 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) March / April 2025: $2.02

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription January 1st, 2025 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) January / February 2025: $1.98

The Gardener (Digital) Subscription December 1st, 2024 Issue

The Gardener (Digital) December 2024: $2.05

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