It is believed that lavender originated from the Mediterranean, Middle East and India, and in today’s terms it has quite an international footprint since many European countries claim different species and cultivars as their own. This is why we read about English lavender, Spanish lavender, Italian lavender, French lavender, Dutch lavender and so forth, without really knowing whose is really whose.
And not to be outdone, the Australians jumped in and bred ‘The Princess’ range of lavenders from hardy European lavender parentage, the result having fat pink flowerheads topped with twisted electricpink bracts!
We are fortunate enough to also have a locally bred lavender (with English pedigrees) called Lavandula x intermedia ‘Margaret Roberts’, which in my opinion is the best general-purpose lavender of them all. It is a no-nonsense plant that is never not performing well or in flower!
The best climate for lavenders
Lavenders generally prefer warm and dry conditions, and some may experience problems in humid, subtropical regions. They are relatively hardy against cold and will tolerate light frost. They are perfect for dry and windy coastal gardens.
How to grow them
Best location: Plant them in full sun with ample spacing to allow good air circulation between plants. Depending on the type of lavender you are planting, spacing for informal planting should be 45 – 90cm apart. For hedges it can be 60cm apart.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2021 من The Gardener.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2021 من The Gardener.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
FIRE AND Feathers!
On a dreary winter's day, a screen of fiery and feathery leaves puts up a fight against dullness!
GET THE ladies in!
At this time of year, early-flowering shrubs vie with each other to get the most attention. We say: Trust those with female names for frills and butterflies. They go the extra mile to flower their hearts out.
Vegetable Soups and dumplings
Vegetables make the most delicious soups and classic combinations are always a winner.
Yummy sweet potatoes for your good health
Boiled, baked or braaied, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a delicious and healthy winter comfort food. Just a dollop of butter, a little seasoning and you are good to go.
Pretty and functional
If cooking is your main thing, you would probably be more interested in the culinary value of the three herbs and some of their varieties we are describing.
Dried Seedheads & Pods
Autumn and winter are the best times to see what flowers produce the best seedheads that can be left on the plants to feed the birds and bugs and for harvesting for dried arrangements.
SO MANY FACES and so many choices...
Whoever associated a Cotyledon orbiculata (pig's ear) with the ear of a pig obviously did not know about all the varieties and cultivars this species in the genus Cotyledon has.
COLOURFUL Cold Weather WINNERS!
If it comes to a vote, these dependable shrubs will be the top candidates for prime performance in winter and in other seasons...
What makes a garden sustainable?
It is interesting to note that the United Nations defines sustainable development as: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Nurturing NATURE-The Story of Kraal Garden's Transformation
Nestled within Prince Albert's rustic embrace lies a gem that is a testament to the transformative power of human vision and nature's bounty.