by Wade John Beckett | Feb 21, 2021 | Bee Friendly, Bird Friendly, Butterfly & Moth Friendly, Cold Hardy, Deciduous, Medium to large tree, Sun to Partial Shade, Water in summer, Water-wise, Wildlife Friendly
An iconic African tree, the stately Celtis africana is one of our few trees that reflects the seasons beautifully. It is a soft, light green with new leaves in spring, darker green in summer, yellows in autumn and almost metallic grey, and very structural while...
by Wade John Beckett | Feb 19, 2021 | Bee Friendly, Bird Friendly, Butterfly & Moth Friendly, Evergreen, Large shrub or small tree, Sun to Partial Shade, Very Cold Hardy, Water in summer, Water-wise
One of the toughest indigenous shrubs, Buddleja salviifolia is evergreen with attractive grey-green leaves. It bears lovely clusters of fragrant, white, cream, lilac, or purple flowers in late winter or early spring. These plants are fast-growing and can be...
by Wade John Beckett | Feb 16, 2021 | Bee Friendly, Bird Friendly, Evergreen, Large shrub or small tree, Sun to Partial Shade, Very Cold Hardy, Water in summer, Water-wise
A small to a medium-sized, evergreen tree. Buddleja saligna, False Olive, or witolienhout, is one of our fastest-growing, most water-wise, and cold-resistant trees. It has a gray-green appearance except when it is in flower when it turns white or cream under the...
by Wade John Beckett | Feb 11, 2021 | Bee Friendly, Butterfly & Moth Friendly, Evergreen, Groundcovers, Succulent, Sun to Partial Shade, Very Cold Hardy, Water-wise
Bulbine frutescens, snake flower or geelkatstert, is an attractive, succulent shrub that makes a very good groundcover. The flowers are yellow or orange and are borne on slender spikes at almost any time of the year. The sap from the leaves has wonderful skin healing...
by Wade John Beckett | Feb 2, 2021 | Bee Friendly, Bird Friendly, Butterfly & Moth Friendly, Evergreen, Fairly Cold Hardy, Groundcovers, Regular water, Sun to Partial Shade
Asystasia gangetica is an attractive groundcover with dark green leaves and masses of miniature Mackaya bella-like white flowers. It grows well in the partial shade of tree canopies as well as in full sun. It is a must for butterfly friendly gardens as it is the...
by Wade John Beckett | Jan 30, 2021 | Bee Friendly, Bird Friendly, Cold Hardy, Evergreen, Full Sun, Succulent, Water-wise
One of the best-known Aloes in Gauteng, Aloe marlothii’s beautiful shape, and stunning flowers make it much sought after as a specimen plant in local gardens and elsewhere in southern Africa. Their bright flowers are nectar-rich and will attract sunbirds and other...