Oh, my Grass!
The Gardener|April 2023
If you want perpetual motion and plants willing to go beyond their best even in the depths of winter, you have to plant grasses...
Oh, my Grass!

Aristida junciformis is planted in a row next to the stone water feature. An excellent grass for providing habitats for wildlife and birds. The next two layers of grass that literally glows in the sunlight is the Miscanthus gracillimus with its copper colour that ages to white as the seasons turn in autumn.

This scene and the cover was photographed by Connall Oosterbroek at Brahman Hills in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. Visit their website on www.brahmanhills.co.za.

The tall grass in the back is Miscanthus junciformis which is an excellent grass for many reasons including its ability to stabilise banks and it can be planted along pond edges or even in the water. The roots of this grass also assist in filtering out pollutants in grey water systems. Planted in front is Miscanthus capensis which turns from a bright green to reddish brown in autumn for a change in character which is really what makes designing with grasses so appealing.

This image was taken in May, a couple of months after the image above. In the foreground is Miscanthus gracillimus just a lot drier and starting to go white than in the other images. Behind it is the Muhlenbergia capillaris with plumes that turn red in the autumn, but are equally special all year round. All these grasses hold their form in winter which is essential for the design. Image courtesy of the garden designer Tim Steyn.

Bu hikaye The Gardener dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Gardener dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE GARDENER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
FIRE AND Feathers!
The Gardener

FIRE AND Feathers!

On a dreary winter's day, a screen of fiery and feathery leaves puts up a fight against dullness!

time-read
2 dak  |
July/August 2024
GET THE ladies in!
The Gardener

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.

time-read
1 min  |
July/August 2024
Vegetable Soups and dumplings
The Gardener

Vegetable Soups and dumplings

Vegetables make the most delicious soups and classic combinations are always a winner.

time-read
4 dak  |
July/August 2024
Yummy sweet potatoes for your good health
The Gardener

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.

time-read
3 dak  |
July/August 2024
Pretty and functional
The Gardener

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.

time-read
5 dak  |
July/August 2024
Dried Seedheads & Pods
The Gardener

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.

time-read
4 dak  |
July/August 2024
SO MANY FACES and so many choices...
The Gardener

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.

time-read
3 dak  |
July/August 2024
COLOURFUL Cold Weather WINNERS!
The Gardener

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...

time-read
5 dak  |
July/August 2024
What makes a garden sustainable?
The Gardener

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”.

time-read
4 dak  |
July/August 2024
Nurturing NATURE-The Story of Kraal Garden's Transformation
The Gardener

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.

time-read
4 dak  |
July/August 2024