The Gardener - August 2023

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On our visit to the Chelsea Flower Show this year, we found some wild and wonderful ideas for our gardens at home. This month also sees the launch of the Thanks Plants campaign where lucky readers can win gardening goodies to the value of R10 000 each month for 3 months starting now! We also feature a most-asked topic, trees for small gardens; tackle window box farming; urban composting; and a host of things to do this month in the garden.

CHILLING @ CHELSEA

Chelsea was back in all her glory this year, with 36 spectacular gardens, from show gardens to balcony and container gardens, as well as a feast of horticultural delights in the main pavilion.

5 mins

Dynamite comes in small packages

Perennials may be the backbone of garden beds, but trees should be considered the backbone of the entire garden.

5 mins

RHS Plant of the Year Agapanthus 'Black Jack'

After 18 years in development, all the hard work has paid off and Agapanthus 'Black Jack' has made it to the top of the heap by winning the prestigious Plant of the Year award from the Royal Horticultural Society.

1 min

Pelargoniums fit for a King

The indigenous Pelargonium grandiflorum (regal pelargonium) is a gardener's delight with so much visual interest, it can be hard to know where to look.

3 mins

Pie in the sky? Why not grow your own?

The idea of window box farming sounds delightfully quixotic. Actually, it's an invitation to those who look longingly at other people's veggie patch and think, 'I wish I had the space.

4 mins

Become a lavender boss!

In South Africa, if your lavender has been in your garden for more than two years, well, you're a botanical boss! If not, we have some suggestions.

1 min

Be your own lavender princess

Lavender brings life to the garden with its vibrant purple hues and a fragrance that puts perfumes to shame.

1 min

Dotted magic

The magic mathematics of a good-looking pot, starts with a thriller, a filler and a spiller.

1 min

Everblooming Begonias

Houseplant enthusiasts looking for flowering colour indoors can look no further than Begonia elatior.

2 mins

Green up your shade

A lush lawn in shade is possible with a box of lawn seeds blended specially to trump this condition.

2 mins

Get your daisies in!

It's osteopermum time again.

2 mins

HOW TO GROW Summer Cabbage

Cabbage is a cool season crop that does best before the full heat of summer. Choose a spring or summer variety that matures quickly like ‘Cape Spitz’ (sugarloaf type) ‘Copenhagen Market’, ‘Glory of Enkhuizen’ or Chinese cabbage ‘Michihili’.

2 mins

Pink dragon scale combo

Some indoor plants are destined to be together, like this Alocasia 'Dragon Scale Pink' with its pink stem and this Fittonia sp with its pink spotty leaves.

1 min

Veld to garden

We often see a gem of a plant growing in nature or in botanical gardens and wish we could grow them at home too.

1 min

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The Gardener Magazine Description:

Inspirational, practical, informative South African magazine on all areas of gardening including plants, gardens, garden tasks and creative DIY projects we also promote people new ideas about gardening through publsihing in our magazine, we also publish in other language.