Plant heaven in Hogsback

Rhododendrons, azaleas and mushrooms thrive at Applegarth Nursery in Hogsback in the Eastern Cape.

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This nursery lies high on the southwestern slopes of the Amatola Mountains in an indigenous forest where the fertile soil provides a good home for rhododendrons, azaleas and mushrooms.

“Applegarth starts showing its gratitude almost immediately after the first spring rain,” says Sandy Wicks, who has been running the nursery for the past eight years with her husband, Rob.

“The dogwood and Mollis azaleas are exuberant with their pink-andwhite flowers, and the deep-red foliage of the maple makes you look twice. As you walk through the garden, you’re surrounded by the gentle smells of banana, star and purple magnolia, sweet camellias and gardenias, and the spicy Burkwood viburnums ( Viburnum x burkwoodii). The berries of the cotoneasters attract many birds, and this is when the Knysna turaco and Knysna parrot like to come and visit. Here and there, you’ll even find boletus and amanita mushrooms.”

Herbert Wilson, who started the Wilson-Rowntree sweets factory (now Nestlé) in East London, was married to Mary, an ardent Scottish gardener. To make her feel at home, he built a stone house in the 1930s and named it after Applegarth, her hometown in Scotland.

Horticulturists from Kew Gardens in England helped the Wilsons seek out this cool southfacing spot in which to establish the garden, specifically so that rhododendrons and azaleas would thrive. Most of the exotic plants and trees in this 4ha garden were imported from Europe and Asia, and then brought to Applegarth by ox-wagon.

“Over the years I’ve learnt that you’re never done looking after such a magnificent place,” says Sandy. “And the contributions of all the previous owners still live on in the garden.” • Filtered sun Choose a place where the sunlight is filtered. Full sun or full shade won’t do. • A well-prepped planting hole Dig a hole 0,5m wide and 0,5m deep. Work in slightly acid compost (such as pine needles or oak leaves) and a handful of bonemeal. • Prune Azaleas and rhododendrons should be pruned immediately after flowering.

1 A mixture of deciduous and evergreen azaleas puts on a colourful spectacle throughout the year, and the Japanese maple ( provides the red. 2 The Wilhelm Röntgen is one of many deciduous azaleas in the garden. 3 Fly agaric ( the toadstool of children’s fairy tales, is poisonous. 4 The access road to the nursery is adorned on either side with evergreen azaleas.