Shahnee Stockigt, Author at Life is a Garden

Cancer Bush (Sutherlandia frutescens)

Sutherlandia frutescens is an indigenous shrub known as the Cancer Bush, Balloon Pea, Blaasbossie or Hoenderbelletjie. It occurs naturally throughout the dry parts of South Africa.

This evergreen shrub has greyish-green leaflets which give the bush a silvery appearance. The leaves have a bitter taste. Sutherlandia is fast growing shrub, it enjoys the full sun and tolerates all soil types. It needs average water and is tough, hardy and quite drought tolerant.

Orange-red pea-like flowers appear on the tips of the branches from spring to mid-summer. Sunbirds pollinate these bright flowers.

The fruit is a large bladder-like papery inflated pod which is almost transparent. The pod dries well and can be used to create interest in dried flower arrangements. The lightweight papery inflated pods enable the seed to be easily dispersed by wind. Although Sutherlandia does not have a long lifespan it easily re seeds itself in a garden.

The Cancer Bush is a multi-purpose medicinal plant. The parts of the plant most commonly used are the dried twigs and leaves. It is said to improve appetite and weight gain in cancer patients and is an immune booster in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

It is also said to be a gentle tranquiliser that decreases anxiety and irritability. As a good general medicinal plant it is used to help stomach ailments, diabetes, rheumatism, eye infections and much more. Do plant a Sutherlandia, it is an attractive shrub in the garden and its contrasting bright orange flowers make a eye catching point of interest.

Limpopo Stockists:

Mpumalanga Stockists:

Garden Pavilion – White River

North West Stockists:

Western Cape Stockists:

Cape Garden – Joostenbergvlakte
Cape Garden – Somerset West
Cape Garden – Stellenbosch
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – Rosebank
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village
Stodels – Bellville
Stodels – Constantia
Stodels – Kenilworth
Stodels – Milnerton
Stodels – Somerset West
Builders Express – Kenilworth
Builders Express – Knysna
Builders Express – Stellenbosch
Builders Express – Willowbridge
Builders Warehouse – Cape Gate
Builders Warehouse – City
Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg
Builders Warehouse – George
Builders Warehouse – Helderberg
Builders Warehouse – Table View
Builders Warehouse – Tygerberg

**Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**

Argyranthemum Madeira

Argyranthemum are without doubt one of the all time classic garden favourites! With a wide variety of colours and cultivars available, there is without doubt, a variety to suit each individual preference in almost all sunny locations.

Argyranthemum are enjoyed for the delicate daisy flowers that are borne in profusion on this evergreen shrub. In our glorious South African climate, these varieties excel at their best and are in bloom from late spring until late autumn. There are few plants in the garden that can compete with this display! This extended flowering period makes ‘Daisy bushes’ an extremely sought after and popular garden variety. The constant shower of colourful daisies are not only appreciated by gardeners, but by birds, butterflies and bees as well!

Argyranthemum are marginally hardy perennials, ideal for brightening up flower beds and borders and should last 3 – 5 years in most gardens. Larger varieties are commonplace in sunny flower beds, as background plants and as fillers. However, the dwarf varieties tend to be more sought after and make excellent feature plants in rockeries, borders and flower beds. They are also highly suited to use in containers.

Argyranthemums require a site in full sun in well-drained soil. Their root systems can tolerate almost all soil types and although not ‘thirsty’ plants, they do require regular watering during dry spells particularly in hot climates. To promote and extend the proliferation of flowers, remember to deadhead the spent blooms regularly. New flower formation is enhanced by Potassium, a plant nutrient which is readily found in all fertilisers and foliar feeds.

The ‘Madeira’ series of Argyranthemum hybrids are extremely compact specimens and form a 50cm x 50cm round ball of colour.

Look out for these colours in leading garden centres and nurseries:

Argyranthemum madeira™ ‘Deep Pink’

Argyranthemum madeira™ ‘Cherry Red’

Argyranthemum madeira ™‘Crested Violet’

Argyranthemum madeira ™‘White’

Argyranthemum madeira ™‘Double White’

Argyranthemum madeira ™‘Crested Hot Pink’

Argyranthemum madeira ™‘Crested Yellow’

Argyranthemum madeira ™‘Double yellow’

Argyranthemum madeira ™‘Pink’

Argyranthemum madeira ™‘Red’

Eastern Cape Stockists:

Floradale Nursery – Port Elizabeth
Builders Express East London
Builders Express – Jeffreys Bay
Builders Express – Newton Park
Builders Express – Uitenhage
Builders Warehouse – Port Elizabeth

Free State Stockists:

Alma Kwekery – Welkom
Bruwer Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Builders Warehouse Bloemfontein
Greenside Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Urth Garden Centre – Bloemfontein

Gauteng Stockists:

Colourful Splendour – Craighall Park
Garden Pavilion – Eckards
Garden Pavilion – Sunkist
Plant Paradise Garden Centre – Pretoria
Safari Tuinsentrum – Pretoria
Schaffler’s Nursery – Johannesburg

Limpopo Stockists:

Mpumalanga Stockists:

Garden Pavilion – White River

North West Stockists:

Western Cape Stockists:

Cape Garden – Joostenbergvlakte
Cape Garden – Somerset West
Cape Garden – Stellenbosch
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – Rosebank
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village
Stodels – Bellville
Stodels – Constantia
Stodels – Kenilworth
Stodels – Milnerton
Stodels – Somerset West
Builders Express – Kenilworth
Builders Express – Knysna
Builders Express – Stellenbosch
Builders Express – Willowbridge
Builders Warehouse – Cape Gate
Builders Warehouse – City
Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg
Builders Warehouse – George
Builders Warehouse – Helderberg
Builders Warehouse – Table View
Builders Warehouse – Tygerberg

**Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**

Gazania Kiss ‘Rose’

The Gazania family is yet another of South Africa’s indigenous gems that provide unbeatable colour. They are known as ‘Botterblomme’ in Afrikaans and are often referred to as ‘Treasure Flowers’ in English.

Gazanias are evergreen, herbaceous perennials that are clump-forming. They ensure splashes of outstanding bright, ground cover colour in a garden when they are grown in the full sun. Remember, that they close their heads in shade or as the sun goes down!

Gazania’s flower from spring to autumn and deadheading on a regular basis will encourage new flowers and a longer flowering period. Butterflies just love the flowers and this in turn will encourage bird life to your garden. Gazania’s are not fussy about the soil they are grown in, this is clearly illustrated when one sees them flowering profusely against a hot dry dusty road in the full sun! However for best results and a longer flowering period give them a well-drained compost enriched soil.

Gazanias are water-wise and drought tolerant. Be aware of overwatering as they will rot with excessive water, only water when the soil is dry.

Gazanias are low maintenance plants that will brighten up hard to landscape areas. There are many Gazania varieties for sale in nurseries and Garden centres. Look out for these exception performers

Gazania ‘New Day’ has large blooms that open quickly and remain open for longer. They are a sensational blend bringing together all forms of colours and stripes. They grow 15-20cm high.

Look out for:

Gazania New Day ‘Bright Yellow’

Gazania ‘New day ‘ Bright Orange’

Gazania new Day ‘Bronze’

Gazania Gazoo has extra large blooms in bright colours. They grow 25-30cm high. Look out for:

Gazania Gazoo ‘Clear Orange ‘

Gazania Gazoo ‘Clear Yellow’

Gazania Gazoo ‘Red with Ring’

Gazania ‘Kiss’ is free flowering with large blooms in bright colours. They grow 20-25cm high.

Look out for:

Gazania “Big Kiss Mix

Gazania Kiss ‘Orange Flame’,

Gazania Kiss ‘Rose’ (see image attached)

Gazania Kiss ‘Yellow Flame’

Eastern Cape Stockists:

Floradale Nursery – Port Elizabeth
Builders Express East London
Builders Express – Jeffreys Bay
Builders Express – Newton Park
Builders Express – Uitenhage
Builders Warehouse – Port Elizabeth

Free State Stockists:

Alma Kwekery – Welkom
Bruwer Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Builders Warehouse Bloemfontein
Greenside Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Urth Garden Centre – Bloemfontein

Gauteng Stockists:

Colourful Splendour – Craighall Park
Garden Pavilion – Eckards
Garden Pavilion – Sunkist
Plant Paradise Garden Centre – Pretoria
Safari Tuinsentrum – Pretoria
Schaffler’s Nursery – Johannesburg

Limpopo Stockists:

Mpumalanga Stockists:

Garden Pavilion – White River

North West Stockists:

Western Cape Stockists:

Cape Garden – Joostenbergvlakte
Cape Garden – Somerset West
Cape Garden – Stellenbosch
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – Rosebank
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village
Stodels – Bellville
Stodels – Constantia
Stodels – Kenilworth
Stodels – Milnerton
Stodels – Somerset West
Builders Express – Kenilworth
Builders Express – Knysna
Builders Express – Stellenbosch
Builders Express – Willowbridge
Builders Warehouse – Cape Gate
Builders Warehouse – City
Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg
Builders Warehouse – George
Builders Warehouse – Helderberg
Builders Warehouse – Table View
Builders Warehouse – Tygerberg

**Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**

Delosperma Wheels of Wonder

An abundance of colourful flowers almost all year round. Needs high light for flowers to open. Low growing habit. Plant in a sunny position. Plants can tolerate cold and frost. Mature plant size may vary due to growing conditions and climate, +/- 20cm x 50cm. Superior Selection.

Eastern Cape Stockists:

Floradale Nursery – Port Elizabeth
Builders Express – East London
Builders Express – Jeffreys Bay
Builders Express – Newton Park
Builders Express – Uitenhage
Builders Warehouse – Port Elizabeth

Free State Stockists:

Alma Kwekery – Welkom
Bruwer Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Builders Warehouse – Bloemfontein
Greenside Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Urth Garden Centre – Bloemfontein

Gauteng Stockists:

KwaZulu-Natal Stockists:

Blackwood’s Home of Gardening – Pietermaritzburg
Garden Pavilion Halls – Kingsburgh
Hingham Nursery – Durban North
Builders Express – Amanzimtoti
Builders Express – Ballito
Builders Express – Hillcrest
Builders Express – Pietermaritzburg
Builders Express – South Coast
Builders Express – Umhlanga
Builders Warehouse – Riverhorse

Limpopo Stockists:

Builders Warehouse – Polokwane

Mpumalanga Stockists:

Builders Warehouse – Emalahleni
Garden Pavilion – White River
Ninfa Tuinsentrum – Middelburg

North West Stockists:

Garden Pavilion – Geelhout
Sittig’s Nursery – Hartebeespoort

Western Cape Stockists:

Cape Garden – Joostenbergvlakte
Cape Garden – Somerset West
Cape Garden – Stellenbosch
Ludwigs Roses Winelands – Stellenbosch
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – Rosebank
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village
Stodels – Bellville
Stodels – Constantia
Stodels – Kenilworth
Stodels – Milnerton
Stodels – Somerset West
Tulbagh Kwekery – Tulbagh
Builders Express – Kenilworth
Builders Express – Knysna
Builders Express – Stellenbosch
Builders Express – Willowbridge
Builders Warehouse – Cape Gate
Builders Warehouse – City
Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg
Builders Warehouse – George
Builders Warehouse – Helderberg
Builders Warehouse – Table View
Builders Warehouse – Tygerberg

**Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**

Vygies

Succulent ground cover. Daisy-like flowers from late winter to spring. Evergreen. Plant in sunny position. Plants can tolerate cold and frost. Mature plant size may vary due to growing conditions and climate, +/- 25cm x 60cm. Water wise.

Eastern Cape Stockists:

Floradale Nursery – Port Elizabeth
Builders Express – East London
Builders Express – Jeffreys Bay
Builders Express – Newton Park
Builders Express – Uitenhage
Builders Warehouse – Port Elizabeth

Free State Stockists:

Alma Kwekery – Welkom
Bruwer Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Builders Warehouse – Bloemfontein
Greenside Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Urth Garden Centre – Bloemfontein

Gauteng Stockists:

KwaZulu-Natal Stockists:

Blackwood’s Home of Gardening – Pietermaritzburg
Garden Pavilion Halls – Kingsburgh
Hingham Nursery – Durban North
Builders Express – Amanzimtoti
Builders Express – Ballito
Builders Express – Hillcrest
Builders Express – Pietermaritzburg
Builders Express – South Coast
Builders Express – Umhlanga
Builders Warehouse – Riverhorse

Limpopo Stockists:

Builders Warehouse – Polokwane

Mpumalanga Stockists:

Builders Warehouse – Emalahleni
Garden Pavilion – White River
Ninfa Tuinsentrum – Middelburg

North West Stockists:

Garden Pavilion – Geelhout
Sittig’s Nursery – Hartebeespoort

Western Cape Stockists:

Cape Garden – Joostenbergvlakte
Cape Garden – Somerset West
Cape Garden – Stellenbosch
Ludwigs Roses Winelands – Stellenbosch
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – Rosebank
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village
Stodels – Bellville
Stodels – Constantia
Stodels – Kenilworth
Stodels – Milnerton
Stodels – Somerset West
Tulbagh Kwekery – Tulbagh
Builders Express – Kenilworth
Builders Express – Knysna
Builders Express – Stellenbosch
Builders Express – Willowbridge
Builders Warehouse – Cape Gate
Builders Warehouse – City
Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg
Builders Warehouse – George
Builders Warehouse – Helderberg
Builders Warehouse – Table View
Builders Warehouse – Tygerberg

**Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**

Lavender (Lavandula Stoechas Purple)

Compact plant with fragrant grey-green foliage. Unusual purple flowers with pale purple petals. Mature plant size may vary due to growing conditions and climate, +/- 30cm x 35cm.

Stockists Gauteng:

**Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**

Daisy (Argyranthemum)

A semi-compact vigorous plant that bears lots of flowers, the blooms occur on stem tips. First appearing early in the spring for a long flowering season, each flower opens with a large golden eye and medium rose-pink petals. Flower heads are double, having extra rows of concentric petals, making a blossom closely resemble a chrysanthemum.

This bushy clump-forming perennial has bright green, deeply lobed leaves that are ferny and emit a strong fragrance when crushed. Its daisies are produced above the foliage and appear from late spring till frost or almost year round in frost free climates. Flowering subsides in very hot weather and deadheading will prolong vigorous bloom.

This easy-to-grow plant grows beautifully in full sun and moderately fertile garden soil with good drainage. Regular light pruning will promote compact growth, increase flowering and provide cuttings for propagation.

Gauteng Stockists:

**Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**

Osteospermum

This beautiful, indigenous perennial with its colourful array of daisy-like flowers adds instant warmth to our winter and spring gardens. They are free flowering and will grow best in full sun. With adequate water they will provide you with a delightful garden in the cooler months. Colours range from arctic white to yellow, pink, purple, orange and dark metallic hues. Some even change colour as the blooms fully open, as with the stunning Serenity Magic Series. Always use fertile light well-drained soil that contains plenty of compost and water moderately throughout the year.

Stockists Western Cape:

Cape Garden – Joostenbergvlakte
Cape Garden – Somerset West
Cape Garden – Stellenbosch
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – Rosebank
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village
Stodels – Bellville
Stodels – Constantia
Stodels – Kenilworth
Stodels – Milnerton
Stodels – Somerset West
Builders Express – Stellenbosch
Builders Express – Willowbridge
Builders Warehouse – City
Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg
Builders Warehouse – Helderberg
Builders Warehouse – Table View

**Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**

August in the Garden

We’re not quite yet done with winter, but it is certainly time to start planning and planting for warmer weather. Remember, spring is just around the corner and all garden centres are stocked to the brim with instant colour. Don’t forget to put out seeds for our feathered friends, which are slowly returning to the garden!

Countrywide

Go on the colour run in your garden with annuals: Trays of pretty flowering snapdragon seedlings, both the tall and dwarf varieties, are available now in seedling trays. Also remember that you can still plant pansies and violas, which will flower till late summer if set out in cooler areas of the garden with morning sun and afternoon shade – they will be in full flower at your favourite garden centre now, so you will be able to choose the colours you love! Other stalwarts for now include dianthus and petunias, lobelias, begonias, gazanias, and marigolds.

Petunias, whether purchased in trays, hanging baskets or small pots, are always a winner at this time of year. They are not fussy and simply require a sunny spot with regular removal of the spent flowers. Feed them regularly with a liquid plant food and they will go on for months in your garden, providing splashes of colour!

Hot tip: If you are impatient to fill some gaps, go for ‘colour bags’. They contain fairly mature annuals and biannuals in full flower, as early instant colour.

It’s not quite time to start sowing flowers in earnest, but you can buy bumper seed packs of alyssum to fill bare spots. Alyssum loves the cooler months far more than hot weather and will turn your approaching spring garden into a carpet of colour!

Perfection with perennials: Plant all the lavenders now. Use different varieties together for a purple-pink splash of colour.

Harrismith Garden Club/Tuinberg Klub

President: Mrs Pietre
President Contact Number: 083 250 5653
President Email Address: tl.enslin@gmail.com

LIAG: Gardening for The Sunflower Fund A4 Poster

A4 poster for Life is a Garden’s “Gardening for The Sunflower Fund” campaign, for your garden centre

Preview

Download here!

LIAG: Gardening for The Sunflower Fund A1 Poster

A1 poster for Life is a Garden’s “Gardening for The Sunflower Fund” campaign, for your garden centre

Preview

Concrete and Garden Creations Nelspruit Concrete & Garden Creations

Nelspruit

Witwatersrand Orchid Society

The Witwatersrand Orchid Society (WOS) was established in 1963 and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. We are a very diverse group, both in age and background with members ranging from complete novices to experienced growers with many decades of experience in growing all types of orchids.
The public is very welcome to visit a meeting – no experience in growing or knowledge of orchids is required. The aims of the WOS are to promote interest in the conservation, cultivation, knowledge and breeding of orchids, both indigenous and exotic species and hybrids. We have an extensive library where members are welcome to borrow books – no need to purchase expensive books of your own!

President: Marinus Kort
President Contact Phone: 082 447 5081 or 011 704 1041
President Contact Email: wos@thekorts.co.za
Vice President: Deon Barnes
Vice President Contact Phone: 083 469 6188 or 011 842 2151
Vice President Contact Email: deon.barnes@angloamerican.com
Secretary: Pauline Cuzen
Secretary Contact Email: paulinec@lantic.net
Location: Johannesburg
Website: www.witsorchid.co.za

Top Plants Schedule – August 2016

Spreadsheet showing retailers the top plants for August

Preview

Download here!

The South African Landscapers Institute

The South African Landscapers Institute (SALI) was formed in 1984 by a group of progressive landscapers who saw the potential of the landscape industry in South Africa.

Cape Region: Gaynor Demas
Contact Phone: 067 828 0667
Contact Email: cape@sali.co.za

Gauteng region: Corne Nothnagel
Contact Phone: 067 246 3092
Contact Email: gauteng@sali.co.za

KZN Region: Kate Johnson
Contact Phone: 083 542 4266
Contact Email: kzn@sali.co.za

Website: www.sali.co.za
Social Media: Facebook

South African Bonsai Association

President: Caroll Dewar Hermann
President Contact Phone: 082 567 7583
President Contact Email: carollh@telkomsa.net OR info@saba.org.za
Vice President: Org Exley
Vice President Contact Phone: 082 809 2037
Vice President Contact Email: org@ntp.co.za
Website: www.saba.org.za

Oyama Bonsai Kai

Situated in Plumstead, a leafy suburb in Cape Town, South Africa, Oyama Bonsai Kai is a vibrant club catering for bonsai practitioners ranging from complete beginners through to advanced growers. We meet on a monthly basis to discuss a range of different bonsai topics, watch presentations. We welcome people interested in starting bonsai and invite you to come.

Contact: Contact Form
Website: www.oyama.co.za
Location: Gauteng

Orchid Society of the Southern Cape

Orchid Enthusiasts and growers welcome

Chairperson: Brian Ormerod
Chairperson Contact Phone: 082 855 9176
Chairperson Contact Email: wenobs@gmail.com
Secretary: Sue Nicolas
Secretary Contact Phone: 076 457 6540
Secretary Contact Email: wildnic@telkomsa.net
Areas Covered: Southern Cape
Location: Eastern Cape, Western Cape

Cape Bonsai Kai

Club promoting the artform of bonsai.

Chairperson: Hennie Nel
Chairperson Contact Phone: 0824921891
Secretary: Frik de Jager
Secretary Contact Phone: 082 7792976
Areas Covered: Cape Peninsula
Location: Western Cape
Website: www.capebonsaikai.co.za

Author: Shahnee Stockigt

Eastern Cape Stockists:

Free State Stockists:

Gauteng Stockists:

Limpopo Stockists:

Mpumalanga Stockists:

North West Stockists:

Western Cape Stockists:

Eastern Cape Stockists:

Free State Stockists:

Gauteng Stockists:

Limpopo Stockists:

Mpumalanga Stockists:

North West Stockists:

Western Cape Stockists:

Gazania ‘New Day’ has large blooms that open quickly and remain open for longer. They are a sensational blend bringing together all forms of colours and stripes. They grow 15-20cm high.

Gazania ‘Kiss’ is free flowering with large blooms in bright colours. They grow 20-25cm high.

Eastern Cape Stockists:

Free State Stockists:

Gauteng Stockists:

Limpopo Stockists:

Mpumalanga Stockists:

North West Stockists:

Western Cape Stockists:

Eastern Cape Stockists:

Free State Stockists:

Gauteng Stockists:

KwaZulu-Natal Stockists:

Limpopo Stockists:

Mpumalanga Stockists:

North West Stockists:

Western Cape Stockists:

Eastern Cape Stockists:

Free State Stockists:

Gauteng Stockists:

KwaZulu-Natal Stockists:

Limpopo Stockists:

Mpumalanga Stockists:

North West Stockists:

Western Cape Stockists:

Stockists Gauteng:

Gauteng Stockists:

Stockists Western Cape:

Countrywide