Seasons Archives - Page 2 of 37

Blooming in the Garden Agapanthus and Hydrangea

The Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus) and Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) charm lies in the unique nature of their vibrant colour patterns and undemanding low maintenance life cycle.

Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus), also sometimes referred to as African lily are one of South Africa's best-known garden plants. Their strap-like leaves and striking blue or white flowers make them favourites in plant borders as well as in containers. Agapanthus is a very undemanding, low-maintenance plant and will survive the elements thanks to its water-storing root system.Plant them in full sun in composted, well-draining soil and water once a week.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a sure favourite in South Africa with its abundance of huge ball-shaped and lace-capped flowers, blooming from November to late summer. They come in a stunning variety of colours from intense red to pink to blue to white and often bicoloured depending on the soil pH. They are shade-loving plants, (they like the morning/ late afternoon sun) and do best in well-drained fertilised soil. Keep them well watered and to intensify their colour, feed them regularly.

Chat to the experts at your local GCA Garden Centre for the best Agapanthus and Hydrangea food.

Water Wise Watch: October 2019

As we enter October, a month after Arbor Day celebrations, the trees that were planted during Arbor Day will be acclimatizing with the new season and will start producing new buds and flowers. This month we celebrate World Animal Day. Here at Water Wise we are looking forward to the opportunities that October brings, especially time that we are going to spend taking care of the plants that were recently planted. We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter, as we showcase what we have been up to in September and what we can look forward to this month.

Water Wise Events

Arbor month celebration

September is National Arbor month, where everyone in the country is encouraged to plant at least one tree per person. It is very important that we plant trees, because they provide essential benefits to us and to the environment as a whole.

Every year, Water Wise celebrates Arbor month by holding awareness campaigns and planting of trees in various communities and schools in Gauteng. In September, Water Wise celebrated Arbor month with three primary schools (Thomas Nhlapo Primary School, Tshebedisano Primary School and Lawley Primary School) and one community group in Katlehong (Manol Co-op).

Water Wise events in October

In October, Water Wise will be participating for the first time in the biggest flower show in Gauteng. The Johannesburg International Flower Show at Waterfall City in Midrand will be held from 30th October to 3rd November 2019. Water Wise will be showcasing educational gardens that will educate home owners and landscapers on how they can design gardens incorporating Water Wise principles such as hydro-zoning of plants (grouping of plants according to their watering needs).

Blooming babes

Louisiana Irises (Iris), and Waterlilies (Nymphaea) are beautiful and elegant water-loving, flowering plants.

Louisiana Irises (Iris) bloom from mid-September to mid-October – this is the prime-time to buy them in flower from your GCA Garden Centre.

They like to grow in full sun to semi-shade and will grow successfully in garden beds where they receive regular irrigation, preventing the soil from drying out. A thick mulch layer will assist in keeping the soil moist (not the mention all the other benefits such as suppressing weeds and feeding the soil). As Louisiana Irises naturally occur in swamps, ditches and other moist sites in the Southern USA, they are at their happiest when grown in a bog or shallow pond and make superb aquatic plants. They can also be grown in large pots with no drainage holes - creating a mini-bog.

Louisiana Irises have one of the most diverse range of colours of any Iris. After flowering, the spent flower stems on your potted Louisiana Iris, should be cut back and the plant can then either be planted into the garden or transplanted into larger containers, in both instances lots of compost should be added to encourage new growth for next season.

Waterlilies (Nymphaea} - the prima donnas of the water garden are among the simplest of ornamentals to grow, all they need is full sun (a minimum of 6 hours per day), some good soil and at least 30 cm of still water, although some varieties can grow in water more than 1.5 meters deep. Full sun is necessary for the plants to grow vigorously and produce flowers as well as for the flowers to open during the day. They do not like to be in a pond with a fountain or in swiftly moving water, neither do they like wind.

Water Wise Watch: September 2019

Tshepiso Community Workshop

One of Water Wise's mandate is to educate different stakeholders (internal and external) on water conservation and how this knowledge can be cascaded into daily activities at home or at work. Amongst other things, Water Wise strives to fulfill its social and environmental responsibilities by offering free training on vegetable gardening to communities. In return, the vegetable gardens will help feed people in our communities, open possible trading opportunities, and improve the environment. Water Wise held a two-day (15 - 16 August 2019) vegetable gardening workshop at Tshepiso in Emfuleni Municipality. The workshop was attended by youth and elderly people from the community. Water Wise facilitators covered the following topics:

Preparing the soil
Seed sowing and transplanting
Watering
Mulch and compost application
Crop rotation and companion planting
Fertilizer application
Hydro-zoning
Pests, pathogens and weed control
Alien invasive species
Harvesting and storage of vegetables and fruits
How to read a water meter
Tree planting

Images above: Water Wise facilitators giving a lesson on vegetable gardening (top left and top right); Tree planting practical session with community members (bottom left and bottom right).

Water Wise Events

On 14 August 2019, Water Wise attended the South African Nursery Association (SANA) annual trade fair in Midrand, Gauteng. The Water Wise team had a hydro-zone display garden depicting different plants that can be included in each hydro-zone. Hydro-zoning is the grouping of plants with similar watering needs in the same bed, by implementing this, one is able to save a lot of water. Types of hydro-zones:

No water use zone: Consist of plants that can survive without being watered, these plants are mostly dependent on the rain.
Low water use zone: Consist of plants that require less watering.
Moderate water use zone: Consist of plants that require moderate watering.

Water Wise Watch: August 2019

As we enter August, temperatures start rising, the sun rises earlier, and the end of winter is in sight. Even though the winter shades of russet veld grasses and fiery aloe flowers have a special beauty, the green buds and kaleidoscope of colours that appear with the start of Spring brings joy to all of us. Here at Water Wise we are looking forward to the opportunities that Spring brings, especially more time in the garden and the enjoyment of outdoor activities. We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter, as we showcase what we have been up to in July and what we can look forward to this month.

Water Wise Events

Garden World Spring Festival 2019

Every year, from July to September, Garden World hosts their exciting Spring Festival. The festival allows landscapers the opportunity to showcase their landscaping and design talents. Landscapers are challenged to use the most innovative and unique ways to incorporate the latest garden trends in designing garden landscapes suitable for small outdoor spaces, as well as using a diversity of plants and natural hard landscaping products. The theme for this year's Festival is 'See my garden grow'. The idea is to encourage and inspire gardeners on a limited budget and with limited space to use their creativity to re-invent their outdoor spaces easily and economically.

As always, Water Wise was asked to present their popular award for the most Water Wise landscape design. This award encourages landscapers to incorporate Water Wise garden elements into their landscape designs. These elements include hydro-zoning, indigenous plants, mulch, low- or no-splash water features, permeable surfaces, water harvesting systems, container plants, and water channeling, amongst others.

This year, the award for the most Water Wise landscape design went to Sonita Young of 3rd Teacher Nature Scapes.

Water Wise Watch: July 2019

The Eco-Logic Awards is an event where individuals and companies are recognized and celebrated for their progressive contribution towards a sustainable world. The event occurs annually and has gradually gained publicity in the media spheres as the most 'Glamorously Green' eco-calendar event in South Africa. Individuals and companies were invited to submit their products, services and projects which could fall under 13 different categories, namely:

The Biodiversity Award

Awarded to an organisation for a successful biodiversity protection, rehabilitation, or damage mitigation programme.

The Climate Change Award

Awarded to an organisation that has achieved a substantial reduction in Greenhouse gas emissions.

The Eco-Innovation Award

For a new product or service that is financially viable and sustainable, that serves the needs of humans whilst being equally beneficial to the Earth and its eco-systems.

The Energy Efficiency Award

For a product or service that results in energy saving.

The Recycling and Waste Management Award

For a policy, programme or project that has demonstrably contributed to a greater public understanding and participation in waste reduction, re-use and recycling.

The Eco-Build Award

For innovations, adaptations, products or services that improve the environmental sustainability and/or resilience of a (new or existing) building.

The Water Conservation Award

For a product or service that results in water saving.

The Green Economy Award

For a business organisation that provides a product, service or programme that supports the growth of the Green Economy in South Africa.

The Municipalities Award

Awarded to a municipality that has developed solutions using its risk assessment and management expertise, forming strategic partnerships to improve sustainability, as well as service delivery in municipal functions.

The Eco-Community Award

For a community that has acted collectively to protect, preserve, or restore the Earths life forms, eco-systems, or natural resources.

The Eco-Youth Award

For an individual of 26 years or under who can show that their actions have protected, preserved or improved the Earth’s eco-systems and natural resources.

Water Wise Watch: June 2019

Hello winter!

As winter slowly creeps in, some of us are loving it while some want it to end already. Regardless of how you feel about it, winter is here and one has to figure out a way to cope with it. It is relatively easy for humans to keep warm with winter jackets, warm blankets and heaters, but what about plants? What happens to our gardens during winter?

Just like human beings, plants also have a way of surviving winter. For example, some trees shed leaves and rest during winter while other plants such as Tulips go dormant and store their energy in their bulbs. The best way to treat your garden during winter is to let it rest.

It is only right to want our gardens to look green and full of colour all year round, however we forget that the plants in our garden also follow seasonal changes and may go dormant in winter. Therefore your garden will require limited winter maintenance and upkeep. When spring comes, everything will start going back to normal and you might be surprised how even more beautiful your garden will look.
Sit back, enjoy the winter season and don't forget to be #WaterWise.

Reduce watering on lawns to once every two or three weeks in winter.
Apply a thicker layer of mulch to your flower beds to retain heat and prevent cold damage during the winter months.
Low water-use indigenous plants only need to be watered in winter if they are showing signs of water-stress. Water only once every 8 weeks if necessary.
Moderate water-use plants only need to be watered once a month in winter.
High water-use plants should be watered 2-3 times every two weeks during winter months.
Remember that the evaporation rate on the highveld is almost zero in winter.

Water Wise Watch: May 2019

'Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health'

International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is an annual event that takes place on 22 May. This initiative was declared by the United Nations (UN) in 2000, and has been celebrated throughout the world ever since. The theme this year is 'Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health', which focuses on the dependency of our food systems, nutrition, and health on biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. The aim of IDB is to increase the understanding and awareness of worldwide biodiversity issues. Biological diversity, known as biodiversity, is formally defined as the the number and variety of living organisms on Earth. This includes the millions of plants, animals, and micro-organisms, as well as the genes they contain, the evolutionary history and potential they encompass, and the ecosystems, ecological processes, and landscapes of which they are integral parts. Overall, biodiversity is the life-support systems and natural resources upon which all living organisms depend. There are three main components of biodiversity, namely genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. Sometimes, landscape diversity is included in the definition.

What relevance does biodiversity have to you and me? Biodiversity is not something important to scientists and environmentalists only. Biodiversity is essential for the survival or each and every one of us. A healthy environment provides what is known as critical ecosystem services. These include food security, clean and secure water supply, clean air, flood attenuation, building material, and biomass energy. Natural ecosystems provide the foundation of our economy and society, without which neither would function.

Unfortunately, the growing human population and subsequent pressure on the natural environment through urbanisation, water demand, agricultural needs, pollution, habitat destruction, over-exploitation of natural resources, and invasive alien plant and animal species has severely impacted biodiversity across the globe.

Juncus Effuses (Common rush or Soft rush)

Juncus effusus is an evergreen perennial plant with a striking vertical habit. It is highly ornamental with a fanning growth pattern and is often used in landscaping which includes sunny water gardens and freshwater wetlands.

Juncus effuses produces multiple culms (hollow stems) arranged in dense tufts that grow about 1 metre tall. These narrow, smooth stems are rounded with pointed tips and no obvious leaves. The lustrous green culms are strong but flexible making them perfect specimens to provide cover and nesting sites for wetland birds and other wildlife.

Summertime months bring on unobtrusive coppery clusters of small flowers which appear along the side of the culms. These florets are arranged in loose umbrella-like clusters and while they are not showy they do add interest to the plant.

This ornamental rush adapts to a wide variety of growing conditions and it performs well in a full sun or partial shade location. It can be planted in standing water to approximately a 10cm depth or in water saturated mulch like soils. It will however also adapt to normal garden soils with fluctuating water levels. For extra radiant specimens ensure that Juncus are planted in acid soil if possible. One can create this by using products that lower the PH of the soil. Cut back old foliage in early spring to encourage healthy growth.

In garden situations, where plants have not been planted in wetland areas, plants may need irrigation during extended dry periods. Juncus plants spread in the landscape by rhizomes and self-seeding.

Juncus effuses can also be grown indoors as a house plant or outdoors in containers that have a regular supply of water. They can be used along small streams or in water gardens and natural pools where their soft rush stems will be the perfect nesting place for water birds and insects. Juncus’

Container gardening on the balcony with Poppies and Petunias

Balconies are the meeting point for the great outdoors and the comforts of the home. Fresh air and shelter coexist in one space. As day turns to night with a sky of beautiful colours, the balcony is the perfect place to enjoy the golden hour. Making your balcony a happy area to relax is as simple as inviting nature’s most treasured pops of colour to join you. Petunias and Poppies are the perfect flowers to grow on your balcony for year-round colour and brightness.

How to grow Petunias in pots

Petunias are available in a range of colours – each as bright as the next. Place Petunias in a mostly sunny position, and ensure they are never completely dry. In terms of watering, perform the “finger test” to see when to water Petunias – poke your fingers gently in the soil around 2cm down and only water if the soil is dry. If you’ve sightly underwatered, they will recover, so steer towards water.

Soil: Petunias require well-draining, aerated and slightly acidic soil. Potting soil works well, especially if you mix it with a little peat moss, to lower the pH levels.
Fertiliser: Petunias love lots of food. Most potting mixes have the right amount of nutrients. To be sure, you can use a slow-release fertiliser when you plant them. Alternatively, compost will give them the nutrients they need – just remember to ensure the compost doesn’t interfere with the soil’s drainage abilities.
Deadheading: Deadheading encourages the plant to direct its energy into creating more flowers, rather than wasting it on fading flowers. It also keeps your plant looking neat and tidy. Remove flowers that are beyond their prime, ensuring you pinch off the bottom area that produces seeds, too.

How to grow Poppies in pots

Poppies are a timeless classic we’ve known and loved for generations.

May in the Garden

Tie a knot somewhere to remind you that it is Mother’s Day on Sunday 12 May. Take Mom to a GCA garden centre to spoil her with graceful Phalaenopsis and stunning Cyclamens – both in flower now!

Top of the pops

Here are some recommended top sellers for autumn:

Obsession – Get totally obsessed with the glorious Nandina domestica‘Obsession’, an intensely coloured upright growing nandina with fiery red young foliage which is retained all year while the plant is actively growing. Mature foliage is deep green. Nandinas are known for their striking autumn colours, hardiness, and many uses in a garden. Use ‘Obsession’ as a low hedge, in pots, or as a filler shrub in a border and remember that they are very giving and forgiving plants. Mature size is approximately 60 x 70cm.

Trending: Grow your own coffee tree indoors! The coffee plant (or rather tree!) botanically known as Coffea arabica, can earn you kudos from coffee snobs if you can manage to grow it successfully in your sitting room as an indoor plant.

Why should you try it?

It is a very ornamental novelty plant with dark, shiny leaves and fragrant white flowers. If all goes well, it can soon become a large plant, but it can luckily be pruned into a manageable level which commercial coffee growers often do. If you want to try your hand at this pretty plant simply for bragging purposes, (you will only get a harvest of beans after a number of years), plant it in a good-sized pot in slightly acidic soil, which drains very well. Water well and spritz it regularly in hot weather, as it loves high humidity. Keep it in good light but not in hot spots, as it likes cool growing conditions. If you are still unsure about the right growing conditions, just remember that the coffee tree naturally grows in the shade of other trees in tropical East Africa.

Cheeky Chimeni (Plectranthus chimanimaniensis)

Plectranthus chimanimaniensis is one of the lesser known Plectranthus varieties and is a firm favourite amongst gardeners!

Plectranthus varieties are indigenous. Plectranthus varieties have forest as well as savannah origins. With a natural ability to cope with difficult conditions, they tolerate a wide variety of growing conditions from cold and wet to extremely hot and arid. However, possibly their most sought after ability is their affinity and ability to perform well in shaded areas.

Plectranthus chimanimaniensis is an evergreen shrub reaching 80cm to 1m in height. The delicate small green leaves are plentiful and support a mass of flower spikes that start bloom from Spring and reach their peak colour display during Autumn and early winter. From a distance, the plants present a beautiful and consistent pink haze in the garden!

The individual flowers are soft pink in colour, with the darker buds opening into delicate soft pink wings with a white lip. The individual flowers are carried on pink flower spires which ensure the flower to foliage ratio is particularly high – the tall flower spikes are both striking and stunning!

Plectranthus chimanimaniensis performs well in either sun or semi-shaded positions and requires well composted soil. These plants are shallow rooted and need adequate watering, however once established they can withstand periods of drought.

Plectranthus ‘Cheeky Chemenii’ are frost tender but if grown under trees they are afforded some frost protection. Frost protection measures are advised during their first winter, however in their second season the plants will be much stronger.

Plectranthus ‘Cheeky Chemenii’ require low maintenance and have no specific pest control measures. To maintain a neat shape and lush foliage, this variety should be pruned after each flowering period.

North West Stockists:

Western Cape Stockists:

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 – Knysna
Builders Warehouse – Cape Gate
Builders Warehouse – City
Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg
Builders Warehouse – Table View
Builders Warehouse – Tygerberg

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

April in the Garden

Folks in South Africa are lucky to have two ‘spring’ seasons every year – the traditional spring in September when plants from the Northern hemisphere flower, and another one in April when many of our own flowers abound. Now is the time to spend long hours in our gardens, planting and sowing with abandon!

On the menu for sunbirds

Keeping the theme for Earth Day on 22 April 2019 in mind, which is to “protect our species”, we give you an annual menu to encourage sunbirds to your garden all year long. The plants suggested are naturally indigenous and April is a perfect time to plant them:

For summer: Plant a dwarf coral tree (Erythrina humeana) which covers itself with scarlet red “pokers” drenched in nectar. Also go for summer flowering aloes like the very pretty Aloe cooperi, with apricot flowers with green tips.

For autumn: Wild dagga (Leonotus leonurus) – the velvety bright orange flowers resemble huge rain spiders sitting at the ends of each stem. Their rich nectar is irresistible to butterflies, bees and sunbirds. This large shrub will supply colour throughout autumn. There is also a form with creamy white flowers, which is well worth planting.

For winter: Any winter-flowering aloe specie or hybrid will do to attract many other bird species as well, but the centerpieces should be the other coral trees. The coastal coral tree (Erythrina caffra) is a large tree, producing magnificent flowers smothered in nectar. The smaller, common coral tree (E. lysistemon) is equally generous with spectacular flowers, but more suitable to smaller gardens. The broad-leaved coral tree (E. latissima) will produce its pretty blooms from late winter to spring. Every frost-free garden should at least have one of these species. For colder gardens there is the local mountain bottle brush (Greyia sutherlandii) and woolly bottlebrush (Greyia radlkoferi) – perfect and showy for small gardens with well-drained soil.

Water Wise Watch: Mar 2019

March is the month of water!

This month we celebrate water, nationally and internationally, with National Water Week from 17-23 March, and World Water Day on 22 March. National Water Week 2019 will be driven by the theme 'Water is Life - 20 Years of Water Delivery for Social and Economic Development". The theme for World Water Day 2019 is 'Leaving no one behind' and refers to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which states that as sustainable development progresses, everyone must benefit.

All over the world, people are experiencing water stress. In fact, more than 2 billion people worldwide still live without clean, accessible water today. It is an international human right to have access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation. This is an important issue to highlight, especially as we celebrate Human Right's Day on 21 March!

The water situation in South Africa is already critical. The Institute for Security Studies indicates that water demand in South Africa will exceed supply by 10% by 2035, if good governance is adhered to. If planned water schemes and other urgent matters are not addressed, this gap could increase to 21%. However, we need to be aware of the impact future technologies such as groundwater extraction and new water infrastructure can have on our natural water supply. South Africa is already over-using its renewable water resources. Research shows that only a third of South Africa's rivers are in a good condition, while 60% of them are currently over-exploited. In addition, it is expected that climate change will cause a decline in average precipitation across the country, increasing the risk of severe droughts.

The key is to look for sustainable, low impact, environmentally-friendly solutions to the country's water crisis. The focus should be on water conservation and water demand reduction measures, and this is where you come in: South Africans must use water more efficiently.

How to encourage bees in the garden

Symptoms/Signs

“The hum of bees is the voice of the garden” Elizabeth Lawrence. You may hear the buzz of bees and see them buzzing around in the garden.

What does this mean for me/my plants?

Bees collect pollen and in their travels, carry this pollen with them to other flowers. This results in cross-pollination, which is critical for flowers produce more seeds. The process allows for more plants to grow, and the garden to become full of flowers.

Suggested Action

Enjoy the hum of bees and plant flowers which bees will be attracted to. Examples of these include Sweet Alyssum, Monarda, basil, sage, thyme and lavender. Visit your local GCA Garden Centre for the most beautiful plants and expert advice!

Pride of India/Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia Black Diamond)

This new and very dramatic Crape myrtle (Pride of India) has dark black leaves forming a vivid contrast to its vibrant purple blooms.

It is a deciduous shrub that performs best in the full sun, however will cope in afternoon sun areas too. Clusters of bright purple flowers appear in summer.

Black Diamond ® will grow to an approximate height of 3 meters and can reach a width of 2, 5 meters if left unchecked. That being said, it is easily pruned and shaped if desired and works well in small gardens.

Black Diamond ® has an excellent resistance to mildew, it is wonderfully low maintenance and very cold tolerant. It grows in most soils but prefers well drained, compost enriched soil. Feed with an organic fertilizer when new leaves appear in summer, try ‘Atlantic Flower and Fruit’ for excellent results. When first planted, water regularly to establish. Once established it is water wise and drought hardy.

Black Diamond® Purpley Purple™ is wonderfully versatile. It is a fabulous specimen for containers or it can be used to create a flowering hedge. Prune late winter or early spring to achieve desired height and shape.

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