Gardenig in South Africa. Tips & Guides

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!

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:

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!

Strelitzia Nicolai is known for its large, banana-like leaves and striking white and blue flowers that resemble a bird’s head, giving it the name White Bird of Paradise. This easy-to-care plant looks breathtaking in containers and other planters with its striking foliage. Read on to learn about Strelitzia Nicolai Care.

Nerine ‘Sparkle’ is a hybrid derived from the more tender N. sarniensis, the original Guernsey Lily. Ideal for growing in a conservatory or glasshouse, the sarniensis hybrids have a wider colour range than the hardier species, and typically their flowers appear before their leaves, on a tall, elegant steam.

On 8 September 2023, Virgin Galactic’s ‘Galactic 03’ mission flew three tourists to the edge of space. The news that one of them  (Tim Nash) carried a pocketful of priceless hominin bones has caused a backlash from the scientific community, due to their being both irreplaceable artefacts and human ancestral remains.

From deep royal purples to delicate lavender hues, each variety boasts unique characteristics that will entice both your taste buds and your garden. So, join us in this vibrant exploration and find out how these Purple Cauliflower wonders can add color, nutrition, and excitement to your life!

Discover the enchanting world of lilac flowers, a gardener’s delight renowned for their intoxicating fragrance and mesmerizing shades that range from classic lavender to deep purple. If you think you know lilacs, think again! This guide will take you on a journey through the various Types of Lilac Flowers to embellish your garden!