GARDE N I NG Image: Rina Smit
a passion
FOR OUTDOORS
Mostpeoplefindagardenarelaxingplace,butforthegardenerthepleasure isimmeasurablyincreased.Firstly,thereisthefunofdecidingonadesign, thenthesatisfactionofpreparingthegroundandplanting,followedby thesenseofachievementfromthecarefulmaintenancethatkeepsplants lookingtheirbest.Basicgardeningisnotonlyfulfillingandgreatfun,but easytoachievethatnobodyisexcluded.Perhapsevenmoreimportantis thateveryonecangardentotheirownlevelandintheirownway,investing asmuchtimeandmoneyastheirownparticularcircumstanceswillallow. Thekeytosuccessfulgardeningiscarefulplanningsothatitmeetsboth yourneedsandaspirations.Athrillofseeingyourfirstseedsgerminateor yourfirstcuttingtakerootisoftenwhenthegardeningbugreallygetsagrip on a beginner. Issue 5 / 2010
53
G A R DE N I NG
African rock garden Text & Images: Blue Rain Creations
54
R AY M A G A Z I N E
GARDE N I NG
A rock garden,
also known as a rockery or an African garden, is a type of garden that features extensive use of rocks or stones, along with plants native to rocky or African environments. Rock garden plants tend to be small, both because many of the species are naturally small, and so as not to cover up the rocks. They may be grown in troughs (containers) or in the ground. The plants will usually be types that prefer well-drained soil and less water. The usual form of a rock garden is a pile of rocks, large and small, esthetically arranged, and with small gaps between,
where the plants will be rooted. Some rock gardens incorporate cycads and other indigenous species and are designed and built to look like natural outcrops of bedrock. Stones are aligned to suggest a bedding plane and plants are often used to conceal the joints between the stones. This type of rockery is popular in South Africa, often designed and built by professional landscape architects. The same approach is sometimes used in modern campus or commercial landscaping, but can also be applied in smaller private gardens. Elements of African Rock garden design Whether a rock garden is designed by a professional or an Issue 5 / 2010
55
G A R DE N I NG
amateur, certain principles form the basis of effective garden design, resulting in the creation of gardens to meet the needs, goals and desires of the users or owners of the gardens. Elements of African garden design include the layout of hard landscape, such as paths, walls, water features, sitting areas and decking; as well as the plants themselves, with consideration for their horticultural requirements, their seasonto-season appearance, lifespan, growth habit, size, speed of growth, and combinations with other plants and landscape features. Consideration is also given to the maintenance needs of the garden, including the time or funds available for regular maintenance, which can affect the choices of plants regarding speed of growth, spreading or self-seeding of the plants, whether annual or perennial, and many other characteristics. The most important consideration in African garden design is how the garden will be used, followed closely by the desired stylistic genres, and the way the garden space will connect to the home or other structures in the surrounding areas. All of these considerations are subject to the limitations of the budgetary concerns for the particular project and time. Budget limitations can be addressed by a simpler more basic garden style with fewer plants and less costly hardscape materials, seeds rather than sod for lawns, and plants that grow quickly; alternately, garden owners may choose to create their garden over time, area by area, putting more into each section than
56
R AY M A G A Z I N E
could be handled all at once. Use of Rock Rock gardens don’t need to be large to be effective. Rock itself is the main element, tying everything together visually and contrasting perfectly with the living detail of plants. Some of the best rock gardens mimic natural outcroppings. In most rock gardens, stone makes up 10 to 40 percent of the visible landscape. Rocks should be of different sizes of just one type of stone. When you set rocks in place, arrange their exposed surfaces so they form patterns. The faces of flat-sided rocks should lie in parallel planes; major crevices should be parallel so they resemble natural faults. As for rock plants themselves, there are thousands of perennials and small shrubs to choose from.. Water always adds a natural complement to stone. That’s why many rock gardeners include water features such as streams, waterfalls, ponds, or dish rocks--boulders with bowl-like depressions that collect rainwater. Keep in mind, though, that most rock plants can’t stand too much water, therefore make sure the water is well contained and doesn’t soak the soil. For more information on how to get your African Rock Garden designed visit our website on www.blueraincreations.co.za •
G A R DE N I NG
Flowers that bring
joy to the garden Part 1
Text & Images: Rina Smit
FUCHSIAS You can bring grace and beauty to the garden or porch with some glorious fuchsias. Their pendulous blooms hang in profusion for a long flowering period, making them ideal for garden, pot or basket culture. They prefer a cool, semishaded position in the garden. Over the years they have been improved by horticulturists, and today a tremendous range of varieties is available, with varying colours and flower forms.
HYDRANGEAS In cool or temperate climates, hydrangeas are an excellent plant to provide summer colour. They begin blooming in December, and the flower heads can be left on the plant until May or June. By late summer the colours will begin to change to green or rusty shades. These are still very attractive on the plants or they can be picked and used in floral arrangements. Usually hydrangeas are pink or blue, sometimes white, but there are variations to the colouring, depending on soil type.
HIBISCUS In a warm and sunny climate hibiscus is a delight right through summer and into autumn. In cooler climates more care is required. The hibiscus belongs to the malvaceae family, which includes annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees. Most are from tropical areas, but a few are native to temperate regions. There are many evergreen and a few deciduous varieties. The deciduous hibiscus Syracuse (rose of Sharon) is a hardy tree which grows to approximately three meters. The flowers can be white, pink, blue, yellow or purple, single or double. These bloom in spring and summer and while not as spectacular as the evergreen varieties, are still lovely and worthy of a place in the garden. Native to South-East Asia, Chinese hibiscus has entered so much into the traditional culture of Hawaii as well as in Tahiti and Fiji, that it became the national emblem. Koreans have considered rose of Sharon a divine flower since ancient times. Therefore, it was adopted by the government as national flower after Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule in the late 19th century. •
58
R AY M A G A Z I N E