JJ’s garden solutions

A sunny solution

Judy Conradie of Sedgefield writes I’m developing my garden and need advice for the area around my fountain. I planted irises and arum lilies but the summer sun is just too harsh for the arums, so I’ll have to move them. I’d like low-growing plants (about 30–40cm) with white blooms in that corner of the garden. I saw Cupheas in bags at the nursery but they didn’t look happy; I doubt they’ll survive in my garden. What do I do?

JJ replies Cupheas are a good choice but they don’t like to be in bags, thus their unhappiness. They should revive once planted out; otherwise, consider Lobularia, Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’, Convolvulus cneorum or low-growing Shasta daisies.

A rose revival

Emmarencia Diederiks writes My gardener dug over the soil in my garden and enriched it with compost, but I suspect he damaged the roses’ root system in the process because they seem to have died. Must I remove them and plant lavender instead, or should I leave them and see what happens? There are four ‘Iceberg’ roses that still look good. We live in a summer rainfall region and get frost in winter.

JJ replies You are correct; roses don’t like their roots to be disturbed. Give them a chance to flower so you can decide how badly they’ve been damaged. Lavender will look great but it needs to be replaced every few years.

CONTACT JJ van Rensburg is a horticulturist at Garden World in Johannesburg; visit gardenworld.co.za.

Listen to JJ’s gardening tips and tricks on Derrich Gardner’s show Brekfis met Derrich at 07:40 every Saturday on RSG.