April may 2016 preview

APRIL / MAY 2016

From Humdrum to Vibrant

Jenny transforms this garden

Autumn Flowers to feed Garden Butterflies

2 Pots 2

Makeovers

IN THIS ISSUE

DESIGN / PLANTS / WILDLIFE / REGULARS / FUN 6 Kiggelaria africana - Wild Peach Our Plant of the Month

10 Flowering plants through April/ May There is no let-up in colour and beauty in autumn

14 From Humdrum to Vibrant - by Jenny Dean Need your garden to sing a different tune?

25 Training a Rambling Aloe Tame the rambling stems into a gorgeous shrub

26 Autumn flowers for Butterflies Give adult butterflies’ energy rich food

30 Wildflower Series: Felicia echinata

32 2 Pots - 2 Makeovers 2 identical pots get vastly different makeovers

34 Wild - and Neat Bringing the grassland plains to the city

36 A Floral Duet Plectranthus ernstii and Kalanchoe longifolia

38 Predators at Work Take a look at these natural insecticides at work

40 Unusual Beauties for Hot, Dry Sun Helichrysum argyrophyllum & Crassula rubricaulis

5 Pietermaritzburg Open Wildlife Gardens

Meet this gorgeous member of the family Cover image: Ant-heap White on Crassula sarmentosa 2

APRIL / MAY

MAGAZINE PRODUCTION: Editor: Anno Torr Contact us: anno@theindigenousgardener.co.za Publisher: The Indigenous Gardener Contributing writers: Anno Torr, Jenny Dean All photos by Anno Torr, unless otherwise stated Other Photo credits: Andrea Abbott, Jenny Dean, Some image via Wikicommons, acknowledgement given; Graphic Design: Anno Torr Disclaimers and Copyrights: Opinions expressed in this magazine do not reflect those of The Indigenous Gardener or any project related to The Indigenous Gardener. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, The Indigenous Gardener cannot be held liable for inadvertent mistakes. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.

CONTACT US:

Editor:

8 anno@theindigenousgardener.co.za ( 0726025610

Advertising:

8 Veronica: info@theindigenousgardener.co.za

Accounts:

8 Hermes: info@theindigenousgardener.co.za 3

Felicia amelloides

Crassula capitella 12

Crocosmia aurea

Melinis nerviglumis

Aristea ecklonii

Gomphocarpus physocarpus

Plectranthus fruticosus 13

closely. Aristida junciformis is wonderful with its blonde fluffy seed heads but tends to sprawl over neighbouring plants so be sure to use them judiciously. Life in their natural veld is much harsher than the benevolent conditions of a garden where they can become too boisterous. This was the case with Setaria sphacelata (Golden bristle grass) – it is one of my favourites as birds love it so – but it became rambunctious in this garden and swallowed up some of its neighbours. We left just one clump which will have to be managed. Melinis nerviglumis brings red fluffy seed heads which turn silver. Cymbopogon validus or Turpentine grass is handsome with grey green foliage.

Although this garden has a huge amount of diversity, the choices were carefully considered. Certain plants are bullies and can overrun others - in this way the structure of a garden is quickly lost. Therefore, you will see no Barleria spp. or even Asystasia in any small garden I do –their tendency is to run amok and cause the gardener untold maintenance issues. Do not write them off however as they are wonderful plants for insects – in the right situation.

The side garden once again was a mono planting of large blue Agapanthus and Freylinia tropica. Rather than remove 22

the entire hedge and expose the owner to the golf course we took out every 5th Freylinia and replaced it with more wildlife friendly selections. The fairly narrow area now links the entrance garden to the back – it is a little woodland filled with slender trees and low growing underplanting of Anthericum saundersiae with surprises of Scadoxus puniceus – bright red pincushion flowers in spring will delight the owner. Deinbolia oblongifolia (Dune soap berry) is the “best butterfly tree in the subtropics” to quote that doyen of all things indigenous - David Johnson. We planted five. The shady walls will be softened by Psychotria capensis (Black bird berry) and Aloe pluridens (French aloe) as they grow. The common name of the latter aloe is a strange one – this plant is our very own, endemic to the east coast – nothing French about it!

Can you see how this garden will be an oasis for creatures, providing a continuous source of food and shelter and at the same time bringing colour and interest year round?

Above: In autumn, the red plumes of Melinis nerviglumis steal the show. Following page: Top: Aloe ferox dominates this succulent spread.

Bottom from left: the gorgeous yellow flowering Nidorella sp., Eucomis autumnalis; Gladiolus dalenii

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A FLORAL DUET Plectranthus ernstii and Kalanchoe rotundifolia

A

s summer gives way to autumn, this colour cameo shines like a lighthouse beacon amidst the bright greens and soft greys that dominate a succulent garden at this time.

Many autumn show-stoppers, like aloes and crassulas, are still in bud phase, but this low-growing combination is at its peak.

Kalanchoe rotundifolia is a low-growing plant, with relatively small, compact leaves, and incandescent orange-red flowers, and pale apple-green leaves that form a cluster at the base from which thin, delicate flower stems emerge as summer ends.

Tiny flower petals flatten out at the tip of slim tubes and remain on the plant for weeks, adding colour right through to early winter. Stems are quite brittle, so be careful when planting out.

Flower stems are 20 to 50 cm in height, but the Common Kalanchoe has an extensive distribution range, enjoying a variety of soil type and micro-climates, and it a very variable species, notably in leaf shape and size, and flower height.

While cool blues are commonly used to tone down bright colours, here the purple-blue of Plectranthus ernstii accentuates the luminous intensity of the hot red. As its famous sibling’s bloom in the relatively cool comfort of the sub-topical shade, the small succulent thrives in the hot sun. This variety, with dark blue-mauve flowers, is likely to be ‘Forster’s Foley’ as the supplier is based on the South Coast where it was discovered

by Tony Abbott on the farm for which it is named. Flower tubes stand above the green leaves, beginning their show from October onwards, with an April flush so typical of the Plectranthus family. Flowering ends around May.

This combination does well in full sun or partial to light shade, and well-drained soils. Too much water reduces flowering and can lead to root and leaf rot. In the wild, the Kalanchoe can be found close to trees and shrubs that provide some shade protection through the day, while Plectranthus ernstii favours rocks crevices, often in shallow soils where humus collects, so add some organic mixture to the planting hole.

Plectranthus ernstii is a slow grower, and this shrublet is still young, so the flower heights currently match. Even at its mature height of 50 cm, this little grouping will work beautifully.

This Plectranthus needs well-drained, humus enriched soil in a position where it will receive full sun, semi-shade or bright shade. Watering should be in summer, and care should be taken not to over water What we love: While cool blues are commonly used to tone down bright colours, here the purple-blue of Plectranthus ernstii accentuates the luminous intensity of the hot red.

Situation: full sun to partial or light shade Soil: well-draining soils Flowers: autumn to early winter Water: natural rainfall is sufficient; no extra watering required.

Size: 25 x 50 cm.

Note: This Kalanchoe species is commonly called K. decumbens, by many in the trade, but this name appears to be unresolved. Taxonomic sources suggest it does not exist, even as a synonym, and the name K. rotundifolia is correct.

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