Trees for large gardens
# 9 White pear
Other common name Bird’s-eye Botanical name Apodytes dimidiata The white pear is a neat tree; it grows relatively quickly, doesn’t have an aggressive root system and can even be planted as a hedge, in a pot, in the middle of a lawn or in a mixed flowerbed. It grows well in coastal regions from the Cape up to KZN and Gauteng, and it’s great for shade throughout the year. Plant it in fertile soil with lots of compost and organic matter. The lovely scent of the flowers is attractive to insects, while the fruits are not fleshy so they shouldn’t result in a mess on paved areas. Evergreen Indigenous Grows 7–20m tall Small, white, fragrant blooms followed by berry-like fruit Prefers full sun
# 10 African holly
Other common names Cape holly, wild holly, water tree Botanical name Ilex mitis The African holly has a beautiful rounded canopy and straight trunk with attractive bark and berries that entice birds and butterflies. It grows throughout the country, making it suitable for colder, frosty gardens too. A fairly fast-growing tree, it prefers sandy to loamy soil and regular watering. It transplants well but needs protection while young. To ensure that it bears fruit, plant a small grove of these trees and remove extra males later.
Evergreen Indigenous Grows 10–25m tall Small, white and sweetlyscented flowers; male and female flowers grow on separate trees Prefers full sun
# 11 River bushwillow
Other common name Bushveld willow Botanical name Combretum erythrophyllum A popular shade tree due to its wide canopy, the river bushwillow grows happily in large gardens all over South Africa. It is droughtand frost-resistant – and will even survive in a Karoo garden! It’s a fast-grower, reaching 4–6m in three years! Plant it in compostrich soil and water regularly. Deciduous Indigenous Grows 10–13m tall Flowers are sweetly-scented and cream to pale yellow with beautiful four-winged seeds
Prefers full sun
#12 Cape chestnut
Other common name Wild chestnut Botanical name Calodendrum capense The Cape chestnut is ornamental and suitable for use as a shade or focal tree. It grows all over South Africa but at the coast it is often evergreen, while inland it is deciduous. It fares best in fertile, well-composted soil with plenty of moisture, particularly during spring and summer, and requires a warm sunny position. The tree will rarely flower until it is seven or eight years old, but then you will be spoiled with an impressive show that attracts birds and butterflies. Evergreen or deciduous inland Indigenous Grows 7–20m tall When in bloom, the entire canopy turns pink Prefers full sun