Celebrate Heritage Month with indigenous gardening tips from local conservancies

AS we celebrate Heritage Month, the Highway Mail takes a look at indigenous plants which readers can plant in their own gardens.

We spoke to Susan Smith of the Westville Conservancy and Luci Coelho of the Hillcrest Conservancy who gave tips on indigenous gardening.

Smith advised that readers take time to celebrate and appreciate the amazing, rich variety of indigenous plants and wildlife found in the Highway area.

“Much of our wildlife is threatened due to loss of habitat resulting from urban development, forestry and agriculture. Many gardens today are still strongly influenced by the old colonial European style of sterile lawns, clipped hedges and formal layouts, but indigenous gardening is becoming a sought-after trend, not only in South Africa, but internationally.

“Indigenous plants have evolved over thousands of years in a particular ecosystem and live in harmony with each other and with the insects, birds and animals within the habitat. Locally indigenous plants have adapted to the prevailing conditions of the area in which they are found naturally and once established can withstand climatic fluctuations and seasonal changes and thus become low maintenance, water-wise, self-sustaining and hardy,” she said.

“Indigenous plants provide food and shelter to local animal life such as insects, birds, frogs and reptiles. Plants which support local insects, in turn support local birds and ultimately a life-supporting harmonious cycle is created.

“More and more, people throughout the world are understanding the importance and benefits of removing exotic and invasive alien species from their gardens and verges, reducing the amount of “green desert” lawn and replacing with beautiful locally indigenous plants.

“Even if you have a small garden, planting indigenous can provide a space for wildlife to survive and you will be creating corridors for local insects and birdlife to move through,” said Smith.

Here are a few ideas shared by Smith for locally indigenous plants that are easy to grow and maintain, colourful and attract wildlife:

Bulbines are ideal for rockeries, in containers or as borders along pathways. Bulbine frutescens, Stalked bulbine has narrow leaves and Bulbinenatalensis, Broad-leaved bulbine has big fleshy leaves. Both plants have clusters of yellow, star-shaped flowers on long stalks that serve as magnets for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. They flower for most of the year so provide a consistent source of food for insects.

Agapanthus praecox, Common agapanthus has large, blue, spherical flower heads growing on long stalks, so are useful for adding height in the garden. The plant attracts wildlife, particularly bees and other pollinating insects due to its nectar rich flowers. These insects can then attract insectivorous birds which feed on them. The plant also offers other ecological benefits, as its roots help to stabilise soil, especially on banks.

Leonotisleonurus, Wild dagga is well-known for attracting sunbirds, as it produces sweet, nectar-rich, tubular orange flowers that have evolved to fit the curved beaks of these birds which are perfectly suited for reaching the nectar. These flowers provide a significant food source for various sunbird species, especially during the autumn and winter months, making it a valuable addition to a bird-friendly garden. Prune the plant back severely after flowering to promote fresh growth and more abundant flowers the following season.

Deinbolliaoblongifolia, Dune soapberry is as an erect, sparsely-branched small tree with a slow growth habit, growing to a maximum height of about 5m, making it suitable for small gardens or containers.

This tree attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Its flowers draw pollinators like bees and butterflies and its fruit is a food source for birds and monkeys. The leaves serve as a host plant for the larvae of numerous butterfly species, including Emperors, Playboys, Foresters and Hairstreaks.

If you would like advice on indigenous gardening contact Westville Conservancy via email – info@westvilleconservancy.co.za, or pop into our Living Nursery, situated at Westville Country Club.

Also read: City plans to revive Lahee Park sports precinct in Pinetown

Coelho said the Hillcrest Conservancy encourages residents to plant indigenous this September month, and any other month.

Coelho shared the following fun facts why planting indigenous and local is so important:

• Indigenous plants are vital for local wildlife, providing essential food, shelter, and nesting sites that support biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem.
• Insects much prefer local plants because they have co-evolved with them and are more likely to find the specific nutrients and types of defences they need to thrive.  Insects play an important role in controlling plant spread, maintaining a balance. If there are only exotic plants, then the insects eat up the indigenous plants too quickly which then allows the exotic, often invader, plants to spread faster.
• Some indigenous insects, like the Monarch Butterfly, can only lay their eggs on very specific indigenous host plants.
• Importantly, indigenous plants attract beneficial insects, such as pollinators and predators of pests, helping to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
• Indigenous plants are already adapted to local rainfall patterns, and therefore require less water, which is particularly beneficial in water-scarce regions like ours.
• Many indigenous plants have been traditionally used for their medicinal properties, offering free and natural health benefits.
• Very importantly, many exotic plants escape gardens and become invasive, spreading fast and furiously as they have few predators to slow their spreading, and they often outgrow indigenous species.

She also shared the following choices for indigenous and heritage planting:

Bulbine natalensis, called ibhucu in isiZulu, is a fast growing succulent plant, that looks a bit like a soft aloe, with bright yellow flower stalks that grow up to 20cm high.

“Apart from being beautiful, they have been used to treat wounds, burns, bites, rashes and other skin conditions. They have other traditional uses such as for balancing sugar and treating vomiting. Bees love buzzing around the flowers seeking nectar and pollinating the plant,” said Coelho.

The Deinbollia oblongifolia, commonly called the Dune Soap-berry or iQinisamasimu is a small, easy-to-grow tree that grows well in the Upper Highway area.

“The flowers attract many butterflies and other insects. It is a host plant for butterfly larvae, and the edible fruit is loved by birds, who just cannot resist its sweet flavor. Humans can also enjoy the fruit, and eat the leaves as spinach in winter. The seeds lather in water and are used as soap, which gives it its common name,” said Coelho.

She said another easy plant to grow is Hypoestes aristata, or Ribbon Bush, or uMhlonyane.

“This pretty little shrub has purple or white flowers much loved by butterflies. The leaves can be eaten by people as spinach.”

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