Gardenig in South Africa. Tips & Guides

We love the jade plant for its succulent waxy leaves, longevity, and easy-to-grow nature. But the similar-looking dwarf or baby jade gives it stiff competition! Let’s explore this jade plant lookalike that is just as easy to grow and see which one is perfect for you!

Bacopa is a trailing perennial that is perfect for hanging baskets, containers and providing ground cover at the front of borders. Originally from South Africa, it is grown as an annual in the UK, because it isn’t frost hardy and won’t survive temperatures below 5ºC. It produces a mass of tiny flowers over a long period, from June through to October, in either white, pink or blue.

Right plant, right place, as Roy Lancaster’s book taught us, is a well-known adage and one we all try to live by. Get it right and your garden will love you for it. On closer inspection that phrase belies a whole historical context that is not evident at first sight. I was reminded recently of the stark fact that most of the plants we have in our gardens are from somewhere else. From Asia, the Antipodes, South Africa, to the Americas and continental Europe, these continents have supplied us for centuries with plants that fill our green spaces. Many are now so familiar and yet two hundred plus years ago they arrived as exotic specimens, delighting the Victorians and their predecessors.

When many gardeners hear the word “modern,” they often scrunch up their noses like they’ve suddenly caught a whiff of something foul. It’s true that many of us classify our landscapes as something other than contemporary. But even the most traditional of designs can benefit from an infusion of plants that one might describe as having a “modern look.” These plants serve as dynamic elements in a bed, easily becoming a focal point where perhaps one was missing. They can also seamlessly impart a space with a distinct sense of sophistication. With sleek architectural forms or moody foliage hues, these botanical elements give order to chaotic borders or simplicity to a color palette that has gotten out of control. Embracing these novel plants can help a staid design come alive. If you already have a modern home or landscape and are looking to fill in some blank spaces, the following selections are just what you need. But if you’re more of a traditionalist in search of some perennials that can breathe new life into tired beds and borders, the options below can also do the trick.

Like many northern gardeners, I had red-hot poker envy for many years but ruled out growing them because of their iffy -chances of surviving winter in my region. However, I am very excited about some of the newer Kniphofia introductions we are growing at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Being able to overwinter a South African plant in the Midwest is pretty cool, right? 

Anybody who has spent time in the woods or other wild surroundings is familiar with ticks, those blood-sucking arachnids that seek out creatures, including we humans, on which to feed. Most of us also know that ticks are carriers of numerous diseases, the most known being Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. However, many people are unaware of a recently recognized syndrome related to tick bites that can cause serious health conditions, including anaphylaxis and death. This condition is called alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), also known as red meat allergy or tick bite meat allergy. People who develop this condition show symptoms typically 3-4 hours after eating meat from mammals (beef, pork, venison, mutton, etc.). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms can include:

The rainbow nation has many colorful specimens that carry a delightful scent. Out of those, here are the most Fragrant Flowers From South Africa that you must consider growing!

This list is divided into two parts–Geraniums and Pelargoniums! Each variety brings grace and beauty in the form of flowers, especially when paired with other colorful species.

How to Grow and Care for ZZ Plants Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Gardening is, or at least should be, an ongoing learning process. It can include trial and error (and sometimes failure), but for me, the most exciting part is discovering new plants. When I find an unfamiliar plant, it’s pretty exciting, since I’ve grown nearly everything over the years and not much surprises me.

A group of tender perennial plants, only one of which is commonly grown. This is Strelitzia Reginae, which has large ornamental leaves on long strong petioles (leafstalks), and bears brilliant orange and purple flowers, several together within a large bract, on stems 3 ft. or more high in spring. It is a native of South Africa and belongs to the Banana family, Musaceae. The name commemorates Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

I grew up in the north, where my mother’s garden teemed with the intoxicating aromas of lilacs, sweet peas, and lily of the valley. When I moved to Oklahoma, I left these fragrant favorites behind and began the search for new plants to delight the senses. After trying southern classics like gardenia (Gardenia spp. and cvs., Zones 8–11) and summersweet (Clethera spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) which don’t much care for the Oklahoma heat, I landed on several plants that fair well across many climates.

How to Grow and Care for Forest Lilies Veltheimia bracteata

Pleiospilos nelii is a stubby and small specimen that stands tall and colorful in the succulent world! It will be a worthy addition to your collection!

How to Grow and Care for Blood Lilies Scadoxus multiflorus

It is important to differentiate between pepper plants and their look like weeds to keep your garden clutter free and safe.

Amaryllis flowers have many meanings and symbolism related to life. In Greek mythology, they symbolize determination and pride. In South African folklore, they represent courage and strength. Red ones stand for love, white for purity, pink for gratitude, orange for energy, and yellow for friendship. They make joyful gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, achievements, and comforting moments during tough times.

Approximately 180 species of gladiolus are available to the gardener. Originating from South Africa on rocky slopes, marshy areas and grasslands, they are also found growing in the Mediterranean, Asia and Central Europe. The latin name “Gladiolus” means “small sword”, which is referring to the shape of the leaves and flower spike. They were at one time referred to, as “sword lilies” or “corm lilies”, as the plants are formed from round, flattened bulbs, called “corms”.

Ever seen plants that look like a person's funny bottom? Nature has a sense of humor, giving us plants that playfully resemble human butts. From cheeky succulents called Lithops to comically bottom-shaped Butternut Squash and peaches with a peachy behind, there's even a plant named «Horse’s Balls.» Find out more below.

How to Grow and Care for Freesia Flowers Freesia spp.

If you are in the mood to try something different for your next gardening project, then try succulents for Bonsai! They are easy to train and look amazing!

Flowers are always admired for their delicate beauty, but they also embody powerful symbols of strength, resilience, and perseverance. Join us as we explore the secrets behind their symbolism!

This is your GPOD editor, Joseph, from my frozen garden in northern Indiana. Winter has well and truly arrived for me here, we’ve had a few snows, good hard freezes. Not much is going on in the garden outside, but luckily for me, I live a short walk from a wonderful public conservatory. I love public spaces like these, a little magical escape from the winter cold into a delightful haven of plants. Here’s a little taste of some things that caught my eye on my last visit:

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden was one of the key reasons I wanted to visit Cape Town. I’d long heard of the famous gardens, and their importance to horticulture worldwide, so the chance to explore them for real was a dream come true. There’s so much to do and see in Cape Town and, with only a few days to fit it all in, my wife and I had to carve out dedicated time to visit Kirstenbosch, but we’re so pleased we did.

Dramatic and elegant, amaryllis (Hippeastrum) are bulbous indoor plants that cheer us through the coldest months. The huge flowers bloom atop tall, sturdy stems, opening like colourful trumpets, as if about to blast away the winter blues with a clarion call.

The Isles of Scilly are like an idealised version of England – where the sun always shines, the food is wonderful, there’s no traffic and no one locks their doors! To say the sun always shines is an exaggeration, but they’re among the sunniest and mildest places in the UK – sea breezes mean it’s never too hot or humid and thanks to the Jetstream, they almost never have frost.

Karen Delahay

A is for annual membership of one of Ireland’s world class great gardens open to the public. Examples include Blarney Castle in Co Cork (12-month adult pass, €100, blarneycastle.ie); Mount Usher in Co Wicklow (€40, mountushergardens.ie); Killruddery in Co Wicklow; (killruddery.com from €60-€100); and Mount Congreve in Co Waterford (from €70, mountcongreve.com).

Royal blue flowers can help create a stunning visual impact in gardens and homes. Popular for their regal hue, these blooms also attract various pollinators, enriching your garden’s biodiversity.

How to Grow and Care for Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus) Streptocarpus spp.

This beautiful succulent, with its slender tendrils and vibrant green foliage, can enhance the aesthetic of your indoor space, especially if you grow it in a unique way. Keeping that in mind, here are some tricks on How to Grow Climbing Aloe Indoors as a Vine!

How to Grow and Care for Tortoise Plants

Are you looking to make a bold statement in your garden with exotic, tropical flair but confused between Traveler Palm vs. Bird of Paradise? Both plants are renowned for their striking appearance and ability to transport any onlooker into a lush, tropical paradise! Let’s have a detailed comparison!

Blue flowering houseplants not only add a touch of visual allure but also introduce an element of tranquility to your home environment. As rare as they are captivating, these plants provide the perfect blend of aesthetics and easy care, making them a must-have for any garden enthusiast.

If you’re in search of easy-growing, yet visually stunning blooms, these White and Purple Calla Lily Varieties are your best fit. Not only do they bring a unique blend of sophistication and vibrancy, but thrive with minimal fuss too. Pick the best for your garden!

If you want to bring home a unique variegated foliar specimen, you must learn everything about How to Grow Wax Ivy Indoors discussed below. It looks spectacular with its waxy and shiny foliage!