Gardenig in South Africa. Tips & Guides

It’s always a treat to visit the gardens of Parham House near Pulborough in West Sussex – if you find yourself in the area do go and see for yourself.  The planting by Head Gardener, Tom Brown, and his team is inspiring, with different areas colour-themed, including the famous and recently replanted Blue Borders. Detail from the

Do you know about Plants that Grow Big and Huge Flowers? Here’s an exclusive list of the world’s largest blooms!

This article will give you in-depth details on How to Grow Plumbago and information about its care to ensure you get the best flowers!

Spring’s Gone Undercover While all remains frozen in time outdoors, the RHS Spring Show in London revealed many of the delights we have been missing.  As always I was smitten by the Lilliputian perfection of the alpines that were being exhibited. What did I buy of the many delights on offer?  In total defiance of the weather, I bought Watsonias – the white flowered corms that I last saw flowering in South Africa against a backdrop of Table Mountain!  Well, my mimosa continues to bloom despite the biting winds and a heavy fall of snow, so I might get away with it,  but I am keeping them undercover for the moment.  With the Met Office forecasting another 30 days of below average temperatures ‘undercover’ is getting increasingly crowded.

Standing on the rocky shore and watching whales just 30m away was one of the highlights of the trip to South Africa. It also taught me that I have no future as a wildlife photographer.  I was so overexcited that I  just couldn’t coordinate the whales appearance with the shutter most of the time. [yframe url=’http://w

On our way up the West Coast in South Africa we passed through a small town called Darling where the annual wildflower show was taking place.  As a fully paid up member of ‘Take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but your footprints’ school of thought, it was quite disturbing to see that plants had been dug up from the surrounding countryside for the displays, but I did take the opportunity to photograph the identification displays (Afrikaans, but with Latin).  Going through my

Keith Whiley is a remarkable man. I first saw his work at The Garden House in Buckland Monachorum where he began his experiments with reshaping the land to recreate the natural plant habitats that he has observed around the world.  His methods have not been without controversy, partly because they are so labour intensive and partly because his approach is so uncompromising.  So when he had the opportunity to buy and develop his own piece of land ten years ago it was the perfect opportunity for him to stretch his ideas and theories to the limit – without the need to please anyone else.  What he has done is astonishing – starting with a flat 4 acre field planted with cider apples, working alone with a hired digger, he has gouged out small-scale canyons, created hills and valleys and turned a piece of south-facing pasture into a  landscape that includes north-facing slopes, sun-soaked scree and a series of lush natural ponds. In the process of doing all this earthmoving, he has  rather miraculously increased the surface area so that it now covers 6 acres. The adjoining fields

It’s three years since I last visited Hyde Hall and my goodness, what a transformation. A cluster of good looking new buildings perches on the hilltop, providing an enclosed teaching garden with classrooms, a large hall for meetings and conferences and a spacious restaurant (there’s another one at the entrance). The previously rather tired vegetable garden has been replaced with the World Garden where they are experimenting with growing all manner of unusual crops outside and inside the impressive octagonal glasshouse. The circular design by Xa Tollemache radiates from the glasshouse making it both practical and great to look at. But it was another par

Dive into the fascinating world of gardening as we unravel the secrets of the enchanting Octopus Plant! We will share the tips and tricks to nurture its graceful elegance!

If you love flowers that stand out from the rest, check out theseBest Stapelia Varieties for a blast of quirky colors in your garden!

Succulents with Purple Flowers are an excellent way to add vibrant colors to your garden or indoor space. These hardy plants not only look stunning but also require minimal care and maintenance.

We relate plants to something that we have seen and experienced a thousand times before but there are many species out there that could amaze you! Here are some of the most interesting List of Magical Plants you should know about!

Having a high-protein diet is very much important, especially for someone who’s aiming towards a lean body and muscle building. Dairy and meat are excellent sources of protein, but they pose a problem for vegans. Also, your eating chart is incomplete if you don’t add vegetables to it. These High Protein Vegetables can be grown without a garden as well–On your balcony, patio, or rooftop!

If you like elegance, then these are the Best White Succulents you can grow to bring a calm appeal with a touch of class!

The Nemesis genus contains over 50 species, and most of these plants are native to South Africa. These flowers are easy to grow and can be a wonderful addition to any home and garden. Let’s have a look at How to Grow Nemesia easily!

From ages, people have strived to bring positivity in their day to day lives. Plants, being the part of nature, play a vital role in different cultures to help people achieve the Divine within. Here are some of the most Most Sacred Plants in the World that hold a lot of significance.

Although not all succulents can bloom freely, many still do. Under the right kind of care and environment, some succulents can bloom throughout the year. Here is a list of beautiful  Succulents with Different Color Flowers. 

Papayas are native to Central America and Southern Mexico. This low-calorie, low-fat fruit is rich in minerals, fiber, and vitamin C. The two major varieties are Mexican and Hawaiian. Most types of papaya found in supermarkets are grown in Hawaii. Other varieties are cultivated in Mexico and tropical warm countries. Here are some of the famous different varieties of papaya!

In a world full of cell phone-camera-alarm clocks, slow cooker-air fryer-Instant Pots, and convertible cargo shorts-pants, I appreciate the anacampseros succulent.This compact plant does one job for us gardeners, and it does i

I’ll bet I can guess why you’re interested in growing variegated tiger aloe.Is it because of its distinctive form, with an intricate patte

For large, showy spring flowers in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, you can’t beat the hand-sized, lily-like blooms of amaryllis, Hippeastrum x hybridum.These tropical beauties can also be forced to bloom indoors

With their tufted heads and uncanny beaks, all the different types of bird of paradise flowers (Strelitzia spp.) are showstoppers in their own right.Even when they’re not flowering, the silky evergreen f

The string of pearls plant, Senecio rowleyanus, is a funky succulent vine with rounded leaves that look like strands of pearls or peas. Formerly classified as Curio rowleyanus, it is also commonly called string of beads.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If

When I first moved to southern California from Montana to attend university, I was amazed by the diverse array of stunning plants: the pink sprays of bougainvillea, the purple flush of jacaranda trees, the orange-tufted, sharp-beaked birds of paradise.It’s uncanny how much this flower resem

Johnny-jump-ups are one of my favorite flowers because they pop up everywhere, placing them among the easiest blooms to grow. They’re determined to flourish.Here’s an example: One year, I grew a container of t

Citrus scents are known to uplift mood and spirit. Also, they stimulate the nervous system, making you more alert, attentive, and happy. A study that supports this claim is here. So having plants that bear lemon scented flowers or orange scented flowers in your garden or home is a great way to enhance your mood.

If you’re looking to add a touch of blue to your garden, consider growingLily of the Nile  These showy and versatile plants are easy to care for and will reward you with their stunning blooms year after year. In this guide, we’ll cover all the basics of caring for and growing Lily of the Nile, from planting to maintenance.

Here’s an exclusive list of the Best Shrubs for Containers that you can display on a small patio, a rooftop garden, a balcony, or a big backyard!

As a child growing up in Delaware, I was always fascinated by agapanthus, a plant I was only familiar with from ogling books filled with pretty pictures of different flowers.I still vividly remember my excitement on m

If your tomato plants have enormous flower buds and little or no fruit develops, you should examine them more closely to see if they have the aptly named tomato big bud disease.While this disease can be a severe problem in subtrop

What’s round, pear-shaped, or oblong, and often a rich purple color? If you live in the United States, English-speaking Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, you know it as eggplant (Solanum melongena).Or maybe “guinea squash,” if you

The jade plant, Crassula ovata, is a succulent species in the sizable Crassulaceae family of plants.Native to South Africa, it is suited to outdoor cul

If you are looking for a plant with large, show-stopping blooms, look no further than the bird of paradise.With its orange, blue, and white flowers that look like a bird in flight,

The hardy, spritely green, low-maintenance jade plant, Crassula ovata, is a consistent day-brightener.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. I

Crassula is a quirky-looking group of succulents that have inspired some offbeat common names.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products.

The jade plant, Crassula ovata, is prized for its glossy, thick, evergreen foliage.Long-lived, water-wise, and low maintenance, it’s no