Favourites

Because Trish’s garden is large, she grows plants in large groups and prefers low-maintenance stalwarts.

[ TREES]

Tree wisteria (Bolusanthus speciosus)* is an elegant tree that boasts stunning bark, interesting foliage and a superb shape. Wild olive (Olea europaea subsp. africana)* has unusual grey-green foliage that adds interest and depth to the garden. African dog rose (Xylotheca kraussiana)* is a small multi-stemmed tree with beautiful white flowers. Butterflies love it! Honeysuckle tree (Turraea floribunda)* has a deliciously delicate scent, especially at night. Trim off the lower branches so that it forms a small multi-stemmed tree. * indigenous

[ SHRUBS]

Small lavender fever-berry (Croton pseudopulchellus)* is a neat shrub that looks great when pruned.

This is a very good indigenous alternative to Abelia ‘Francis Mason’. Dune crow-berry (Searsia crenata ‘Alex’)* is the ideal topiary plant. Bedding helichrysum (Helichrysum petiolare)* is perfect in a pot. Senecio barbertonicus* is a lowmaintenance succulent with superb form. Zulu spurflower (Plectranthus zuluensis)* is my favourite spurflower that looks good en masse.

[ PERENNIALS]

Shasta daisy (Chrysanthemum

maximum) is also low maintenance, growing up to a metre tall. It is an unassuming plant, but then provides an explosion of white all summer long.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale )ismy favourite plant at the moment! Every part of the plant is useful. The flowers attract bees. I cut off the leaves after the flowering season and use them as a mulch; they also add vital nutrients to the soil and the soft colours of the blooms tone in well throughout the garden. Blue stars (Aristea ecklonii)* with its blue blooms that are spectacular in the meadow. They take up little space and the leaves are always a lovely bright green. Giant chlorophytum (Chlorophytum bowkeri)* is excellent on a large scale, particularly in semi-shade or shady areas. Natal cliff bulbine (Bulbine natalensis)* is fantastic, whether used in small groups or on a large scale. The flower spikes look spectacular in the cooler months.

Clivia (Clivia miniata )*–eversinceIsaw them en masse at Babylonstoren, I’ve been hooked! I’m slowly multiplying the few that I have.

* indigenous

These aloes were rescued from a site that had been bulldozed for a power line. A meandering pathway winds through the weeping anthericum (Chlorophytum saundersiae) in the woodland garden.

A bare-branched frangipani underplanted with trimmed plumbago and agapanthus (foreground).