Arcotis ‘ Sunset Radiance ’ Scadoxus multiflora ssp kathrin Crassula perfolia
off with the sweetest little flowers !
Arctotis , Osteospemums and Gazanias in a bewildering range of colours started flowering in late winter and will continue for a little while longer , so if you saw some gaps in your spring garden , you can use these colourful plants to make sure next spring is a winner . Remember to check on how heat tolerant the varieties you choose will be . Some of the hybrids don ’ t seem to last through the summer very well . Species types are generally more reliable . Try Osteospermum fruticosum and Osteospermum jucundum as well as the creeping forms of Gazania such as Gazania rigens .
Although most people see vygies as spring colour , different species flower at different times of the year , so while the early spring vygies are finished blooming , some species are in full flower now while others are in bud .
Coming soon ! December is the time for the stunning Erica verticillata to come into flower . This plant , once believed to be extinct is available in a number of shades of pink to red and grows into an attractive shrub about 1.5m tall . Remember to trim it frequently and lightly to maintain a full growth habit .
Nothing says ‘ Christmas ’ like the colour red and Crassula perfoliata and it ’ s equally crimson sister Crassula coccinea will be flowering around Christmas time and into January just when most of your garden plants are struggling with the heat .
Graceful Salvia chamelaeagnea ( Bloublomsalie ) starts flowering in November or December and forms tall spikes of blue and white florets through till March . Cut it back hard after flowering for an even showier display next time around .
A less well-known summer to autumn flowering species of shrub called Ruttyruspolia ( Rutty for short ) will soon begin flowering . Although it won ’ t tolerate very harsh frost , you can plant it in the same kind of conditions where Bougainvilleas thrive and it has a similar
growth habit without being spiny or overly vigorous .
If you really want something exceptional for shade , you can ’ t beat Scadoxus multiflorus ssp kathriniae . The glossy leaves are pretty , but it ’ s the flowers carried in balls of bloom as big as your head that will amaze and delight even the most jaded gardener . They work very well with Clivias : the Clivias flower in spring and are followed by the Scadoxus in summer . Add Nerines to the mix for autumn flowers and Haemanthus albiflos for winter and you ’ ll have an ever-changing display of blooms and foliage textures .
In conclusion There are so many beautiful indigenous plants out there that they can ’ t possibly be discussed in one article , but these are certainly some of the highlights . Chat to a horticulturist at your local garden centre or visit a nearby botanical garden to get lots more fantastic ideas for using indigenous plants in your home garden .
Gazania splendens Pink Erica verticillata African Phoenix
Ruttyrusolia Phyllis van Heerden