Ian's corner



Amaryllis

Categorising this flower is a challenge.  It is a bulb, has trumpet bell like flowers that are similar to the Lilly family and grow well in pots.  This bulb could remain in flower for up to 7 weeks and come in various colours and flower sizes.  When well watered and fertilized, these bulbs split producing more bulbs for the following season.

After flowering, cut the main stem and keep watering the bulb through the summer.  Towards the end of summer, the leaves will turn yellow, cut these down to approximately 2 cm from the bulb.  Remove the bulb from the soil, spray it with an antifungal spray to ensure that the bulb does not get destroyed during the storing phase.  Keep the bulb in a cool, dark, dry space for the winter.  Towards the end of winter, place the bulb in the fridge for 5 days at a temperature below 5 degrees Celsius but not below freezing.  This will force the bulb to flower again.  After this time, replant the bulb in the pot and allow 8 weeks for the bulb to produce new flowers.
This is an attractive plant to have, would suit small gardens and balconies very well and is an attractive splash of colour over the festive season.


 



Azalea

Azaleas are revered by many gardening enthusiasts and have been cultivated over the years.  It is a slow growing shrub that grows well in acidic soil and is tolerant to some shade making it a worthwhile plant to grow under a tree.
The flowers of this plant are particularly pretty and captivating, flowering during the summer periods in the southern hemisphere and in winter in the northern hemisphere from where it orginates.
The Chinese culture the Azalea is known as the “thinking of home bush” and has been featured in poetry and contemporary stories of the east.
In addition to this, the plant is highly toxic which includes the honey from the nectar.  The plant was so infamous that if one received a bouquet of flowers in a black vase it was considered to be a death threat.
With that being said, the Azalea is a well appreciated flower that offers a garden a spectacular splash of colour to brighten anyone’s day.




 Birch -Renewal  

As Birch is one of the first trees to come into leaf, it would be an obvious choice as representation of the emergence of Spring. Traditionally, babies' cradles were made of Birch wood, drawing on the earlier symbolism of new beginnings.



CHINESE LANTERN - (Flowering Maple) (Abutilon Hybridum)

This is one of my most favourite plants.  In my garden, I have the orange, red, white, pink and yellow.  They flower throughout the year even when the temperatures fall below freezing in winter.  They are easy to grow, add height to the garden, evergreen and are perpetually abundant with flowers. 
The branches become thick and barky when the plant is cut back once the desire height and shape has been established, although it needs to be cut back periodically throughout the year.  This Chinese Lantern is attract to small birds, bees and insects.  Once the flowers have been pollinated, they form pods which hold the seeds.
This species of Chinese Lantern is better known by garden enthusiasts as the Flowering Maple due to its maple shaped leaves or Abutilon Hybridum and it does not produce the fruits as its counter parts sharing the name. 
It is subject to some disease and pests, this would need to monitored and treated.
I have found that some of the various colours enjoy full sun and others semi shade providing you with a continuous theme and abundant colour in virtually every corner of your garden.
For small to medium gardens, this shrub or small tree is a must by adding colour and softening the appearance of the confinements of your perimeter walls.


Cooper’s Aloe.

 Aloe cooperi Bak
Commonly known as isiPhukutwane in Zulu or Cooper’s Aloe.
Coopers Aloe is a grassland aloe which grows well in dry rocky areas.  Classified as a succulent, this plant flowers from later December to February.  A single plant will grow offshoots forming small clusters of the plant.  Its leaves grow to a height of 15 cm, during the flowering season, this plant shoots up a stem which carries the flowers.  The colour of the flowers vary according to the plant, it is a nectar producing flower which attracts insect and bird life.
Young shoots of this plant are cooked and eaten like vegetables by the Zulu people.  It is also believed that the smoke from burning the leaves of this plant in the kraal will protect the cattle from the ill effect of eating improper foods.
It is a striking addition to your garden, evergreen in the warmer climates, water wise and easy to grow.




Jasmine 
Botanical name: Jasminum Polyanthum

 Jasmine is known for its intensely fragrant blossoms that flower all year to brighten your home. The starry flowers grow in lovely clusters of bright white (or yellow).


  • During the spring and summer months Jasmine needs full sunlight.  
  • In the winter months Jasmine still needs light, but it doesn't have to be direct.  
  • Soil should be moist and well-drained, but do not over water.
  • During the summer allow the soil to be moist and let it dry between waterings. Water less in the fall. In the winter and spring months keep the plant slightly dry. 
  • Prune after blooming season (which is spring) to shape the plant.



Nandina domestica

Nandina domestica or sacred bamboo is a small ornamental shrub with growth up to 1.5 metres high. It’s name incorrectly suggests it belongs to the bamboo or “grass” family.  Its leaves should, but not necessarily turn a purple/red in winter. The plant is a “delicate” but lovely green “filler” in any garden.




Pincushion, Pincushion Protea or Leucospermum 

Pincushions as known by the common name.  There are approximately 50 various types of pincushions that is classified under the Protea family.  It thrives in slopes of mountains is evergreen.  This plant can grow to a hight if 1,5m in some cases.  They flower between July and November which are used in flower arrangements.
It is a rewarding schrub, needs acidic soil and little water.  Whilst the plant is in flower, it attracts insects which in turn attracts the attention of birds.
With the correct soil conditions, this plant is a feature plant that is well worth the extra effort to grow in your garden.



 
Robina  (psuedoacacia) hispida

Also known as the rose acacia or wisteria tree. This is an exotic tree that when cultivated and trimmed  to resemble a standard rose; at about 1.2 metres high, produces a real “little but awesome feature”. I love it, but however it should be planted within a restricted area such as a “planter” as it can vegetatively  send shooters.  It blossoms early spring with indigo trusses. It is well worth it!.






Zantedeschia – White Arum Lily


This feature is on the white Arum.  It is of the same family as the Zantedeschia coloured Arums but grow a little different.

Arums are indigenous to South Africa and can be seen growing naturally in moist wet climates in South Africa that receives a considerable amount of sun throughout the day.  These plants thrive in watery gardens and grow for many years.  A worthwhile investment for a newly structure garden.  Their leave range from 1m to 2.5m tall and flower for the most part of summer it as a plant that provides foliage to your garden. Provided that the climate in your garden is favorable, these plants do not die down during the winter months.

Their flowers are white funnel shaped with a yellow fleshy finger like spike.  Once this plant has been pollinated, this fleshy finger like spike produces seeds.  This plant may be grown from seeds although it may take some seasons for the plant to mature.

These Arums add to the ambiance of water features in your garden.

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