The Panorama route in Mpumalanga forms part of the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, well-known for its vistas extending over the Lowveld. With dramatic views from the well-known ‘God’s Window’, the area has abundant waterfalls, plants and trees.
At the heart of this tourism region, lies the little town of Graskop, (‘grassy hillock’) at an elevation of 1400m above sea-level. This mountaintop boasts precipitations of 1200mm on average annually, which means lush indigenous forests and diverse grassland plains. This is where we met Gustav Peach, hands filled with kokedama, at his Westlodge Guesthouse.
To understand a garden, you must know the history of the person that created it. Born in the Free State to a bank managerfather and a mother who was a keen gardener, there is no wonder that Gustav followed in his father’s footsteps.
Banking and the intrinsic love of plants and nature by his mother, became part of his life. His gran on his father’s side was an avid veggie gardener and he recalls shelling peas and cutting up beans while eating yellow peaches, with his Granny Peach in the kitchen or sitting in her ‘voorhuis’ filled with indoor plants, at a young age in Fouriesburg.
Being in the banking sector, not much time was afforded to garden, and after 24 years of relocating to numerous towns in South Africa, Gustav found himself in Graskop, where he could finally settle and garden to his hearts content. He started collecting and breeding clivias, and with the help of specialist clivia friends in the Lowveld, his collection grew. As we know with many types of gardeners, the allure of collecting a specific species can become overwhelming and Gustav made the decision to scale down his collection.
Bu hikaye The Gardener dergisinin June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Gardener dergisinin June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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.