Drive this way

When Jeanne and Niel Oets of KwaZulu-Natal had to upgrade their steep driveway to preserve the soil and allow for drainage, they installed decorative concrete blocks – laid flat and arranged to form an eye-catching pattern – instead of regular pavers or concrete. Jeanne then carefully planted single shoots of self-sustaining dwarf mondo grass in each opening – it’s an ideal plant as it doesn’t grow taller than 10cm. A year later it has multiplied to form a beautiful but hardy green tapestry that can cope with all kinds of traffic.

“The idea is that this low-maintenance plant will eventually look like a lawn with a subtle decorative pattern,” explains Jeanne. “I specifically planted the grass very deep so it will just peep out and because it doesn’t need mowing or much maintenance (we don’t have a shortage of rain here), all we’ll have to do is occasionally weed,” says Jeanne. Diva the Basset Hound is very impressed with the progress!

CONTACTS Heidi J Design 082 413 3110 De Waal Art 021 790 9120, dewaalart.com