THE VELD WALL - ROSEBANK , JOHANNESBURG
these inhibit groundwater flow . In the end , although there were many possible choices , it was availability that finally dictated the plants we used .”
The long section of the Veld Wall has a western to slightly north-western aspect and virtually all the plants on the wall are sun loving . In little pockets of shade
created by larger plants or shade cast by pavement trees or the Trumpet building , some shade-loving grasses and bulbs have been introduced to the complex mix .
Closer observation of the wall reveals the herbaceous and bulbous plants in flower . The green-flowered Eucomis autumnalis ( Pineapple Flower ), the bright yellow daisies ( on their long stems ) of Haplocarpa scaposa ( False Gerbera / Melktou ), both have long flowering periods ... and are available commercially . Freesia grandiflora and Freesia laxa produce dainty pinkish-red flowers in winter and are plants which favour shady spots ; while Thunbergia neglecta is a creeper with creamy-white flowers . The small grassland Gladiolus crassifolia ( Thick-leaved Gladiolus ) has flowers in colours varying from pale pink to reddishpink and purple . It blooms from late summer into autumn . Gladiolus elliotii is another of the diverse grassland bulbs with flowers of a milky white or bluish background that is closely speckled with tiny pink or maroon spots , and flower stalks that are more upright than the previously mentioned gladiolus species .
Large black and yellow carpenter bees have been spotted , attracted to the pollen of the Chlorophytum species both on the wall and in the sidewalk plantings . This plant has snow-white star-like flowers and protruding bright yellow stamens , and is buzz pollinated by these specialised bees which make their nests in wood . The legs of the bees envelope the stamens and through energetic buzzing shake the pollen loose . The coppery coloured Garden Acraea has been seen looking for nectar from flowering plants such as the much favoured Scabiosa columbaria ( Wild Scabiosa ) on the wall . Aloe species from Egoli Granite Grassland have been planted on the wall , including the endangered Aloe peglerae ( Turk ’ s Cap ), which is a small stemless species with leaves curving inwards . This species ,
36 AFRICAN DESIGN MAGAZINE © | MAY 2018