One of the most fundamental questions that we must ask ourselves is why earth-friendly gardening is so important and such a debated topic today? Before we try and address this question, let us first evaluate our local scenario. We really live in an extraordinary environment. If you really want to experience a time warp, drive […]

A grassland garden contains the grasses associated with our Grassland Biome as well as the perennials and geophytes that also occur amongst the grasses. One can consider this as a locally flavoured “meadow” that the British are very fond of. Although a low maintenance garden, it is certainly not maintenance free. But let us first […]

We are so used to Woolies (or something similar) for putting food on the table that we tend to forget that there was a time when we were actually hunter-gatherers. So, I thought it appropriate to look at Granny’s kitchen for some inspiration. If caffeine is keeping you awake or make you too energetic, don’t […]

The whole dynamics of grassland ecology ensure that shady garden spots are kept to a minimum. What fires do not burn down, the grazers will level. The only places where shade-loving plants are encountered are amongst rock outcrops, in some riverine vegetation, and some southern slopes of mountains. Very few of the larger woody plants […]

When the term “Bushveld” is heard, it invokes memories of the Waterberg, Kruger National Park and too many other remarkable areas to name here. It normally refers to vegetation consisting of sparse trees with an open canopy and some undergrowth that includes perennials, bulbs, succulents and grasses. In most areas, frost is absent or very […]

The British has a very nice term to describe this type of garden – a meadow. It is a delightful mixture of grasses and other perennials that occur naturally amongst the grasses. It creates a “wild feel” and the birds and butterflies love it. The plants featured in this article have been tried and tested […]

When you want to create a garden or landscape that is eco-friendly the idea is quite simple – use plants in your garden that occurs in Southern Africa that is adapted to your local conditions. Ideally, one should use endemic plants, that is, plants that occur naturally in the surrounding areas. In this regard, we […]