Searsia crenata (previously known as Rhus crenata) is commonly known as the Dune Crowberry. It is a proudly South African shrub that is endemic from the coastal Western Cape region to KZN.
Searsia crenata is evergreen and has a dense, multi-branched growing habit. It can reach a height of 3 metres if left unchecked and works well as an informal perimeter hedge or small tree. It is however easily trimmed if needed and because of the multi branched growing habit works well as a formal hedge or clipped shape.
The top of the small glossy leaves of Searsia are scalloped. They are dark green above and light green below the leaf.
The Dune Crowberry is able to grow in the sun or semi-shade. It is especially hardy and grows well in mild to warm areas and will manage light frost. In its natural habitat it is found in sandy coastal areas, it is therefore important to note that they require a sandy or well drained soil in the garden too.
Searsia needs regular water to establish and once establish is water wise and drought tolerant. It is easy to maintain and fuss free.
They produce clusters of cream flowers in the autumn months and these are followed by small wine-red berries. Birds just love the berries and butterflies are often seen around the shrubs.
Plant Searsia crenata in coastal gardens where they will cope well with the wind, sandy soil and sea salt spray. Their dense growth ensures they make excellent wind breakers and large screening shrubs. They can also be used to help bind sandy or easily eroded soils. They make a beautiful clipped hedge and can be planted in a container and shaped. Great for bonsai enthusiasts!
Eastern Cape Stockists:
Floradale Nursery – Port Elizabeth
Builders Express East London
Builders Express – Jeffreys Bay
Builders Express – Newton Park
Builders Express – Queenstown
Builders Express – Uitenhage
Builders Express – Walmer
Builders Express – Walker drive
Builders Warehouse – Port Elizabeth
Free State Stockists:
Alma Kwekery – Welkom
Bruwer Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Builders Warehouse Bloemfontein
Greenside Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Plants@Preller – Bloemfontein
Platberg Nursery – Harrismith
Pretty Garden Tuinsentrum – Bloemfontein
Urth Garden Centre – Bloemfontein
Gauteng Stockists:
Colourful Splendour – Craighall Park
Garden Pavilion – Brandmullers
Garden Pavilion – Eckards
Garden Pavilion – Sunkist
Keith Kirsten Waterfall – Midrand
Lifestyle Home Garden – Randburg
Plant Paradise Garden Centre – Pretoria
Schaffler’s Nursery – Johannesburg
North West Stockists:
Garden Pavilion – Potchefstroom
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**
