WITH a varied climate and wide range of habitats, South Africa is home to an astonishing array of plants. Take the Cape Floral Region, which has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the incredible diversity and density of flora that are native to there and nowhere else. It includes Table Top Mountain, which has as many native plant species as the whole of the UK.
Incredible diversity
Distinct habitats include the fynbos, an area of scrubby shrubland unique to the country, with a climate like that around the Mediterranean. Here, plants such as leucadendron have evolved to cope with wildfires, which rejuvenate old specimens and trigger germination in some seeds. The semi-desert of Namaqualand, in the Northern Cape, is famous for its spectacular carpets of wildflowers. Plants like arctotis and gazania, which we grow as bedding, bloom en masse in spring after the winter rainy season. Meanwhile, in the east, the Drakensberg Mountains are a mixture of grassland and alpine habitat, characterized by extremes in temperature, high rainfall, and winter now where bulbs such as irises and gladioli thrive.
Hardy or more tender?
Here in the UK, adding South African plants will bring a touch of the unusual and exotic to a garden, whether it’s a whole border inspired by the country’s flora or just a couple of pots. Some, such as Osteospermum ‘Cannington Roy’, kniphofia, phygelius and a range of late flowering bulbs, are hardy enough to be grown in most British gardens; others are more tender, so while they are perennial in their homeland, you’ll need to treat them as bedding annuals here – or overwinter them somewhere frost-free.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters