AUTUMN is settling in on the South Coast where temperatures have suddenly dropped, bringing cooler, less humid weather that is ideal for gardening.
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My indigenous garden is celebrating the advent of the cooler weather with a splashy show of flowering Plectranthus. I have quite a few Plectranthus species so the shady areas, where many of these plants like to live, are colourful glades at the moment. The soft pinks and mauves are a welcome treat in an autumn garden that is predominantly green and leafy.
Another splash of colour, this time in my sunnier areas, is offered by the coral flowers of Balaria repens. There are many different brightly coloured Balaria species to choose from if you are looking for a bit of colour for your indigenous garden but be warned – most of these plants can be rather rigorous growers and will need some firm discipline.
Another colourful addition to my garden at the moment is my lovely pink plume or Syncolostemon densiflorus bush. It is covered with the its vivid pink plumes at the moment and is a joy to behold.
I’ve noticed quite a few white flowers, including a pretty white osteospermum, brightening up corners of the autumn garden. The creeping foxglove (Asystasia gangetica) has been flowering for more than a month, its pretty white flowers contrasting so beautifully with the bright green leaves.
The Carissa macrocarpa (num-num) is full of white, star-like flowers at the moment and, joy of joys, my prickly garden treasure, my succulent and spiky kudu lily (pachypodium saundersii) is also adding a bit of floral whiteness to all the late summer greenery.
If you would like to find out more about indigenous gardening make a note in your diary about the Leisure Bay Conservancy’s open indigenous garden weekend. Four fabulous Leisure Bay gardens will go on show on June 16 and 17, from 10am to 4pm. Tickets at R30 per person will be on sale at selected outlets and at each garden. Contact Libby Goodall at 082 5616993.
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