I ’ve been a closet fan of the mirror bush all my life, and still harbour in my garden the old shiny, green Coprosma repens with its polished leaves.
It keeps on outgrowing its allocated space, casting deep shade over other plants because it does not really want to be the small tree that I keep trying to train it into.
But such is the main characteristic of this large shrub from the coastal areas of New Zealand, which is part of the coffee plant family: it will just keep on growing and re-shaping itself, despite very sandy and dry soil and strong and salty sea winds, to screen other plants. In countries like Australia this coprosma is a declared weed and it should probably have the same status in South Africa, as I have seen specimens of it growing in the most unexpected places, like in a milkwood forest.
This coprosma species has been hybridised with other ground-hugging species, giving birth to many bulky garden varieties with different kinds of variegated foliage with cream, yellow, and later pink tinges. These have become very popular foliage plants over the years and are not invasive.
Denne historien er fra June 2018-utgaven av The Gardener.
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Denne historien er fra June 2018-utgaven av The Gardener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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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.
