EXPERT ADVICE]
McGregor is extremely rich in indigenous plants as it is where the fynbos biome and the Karoo meet. Plant expert Leon Kluge, who visits McGregor regularly, offers advice on how to garden in such a hot climate.
• Not all indigenous plants thrive in a hot climate. Find inspiration from the environment and use plants that occur naturally there. Those plants will also attract birds and insects to the garden.
• Use plants in your garden as they would grow in nature. Plants that like rocky areas, for example, should also be planted in hard, rocky soil in the garden, and those that naturally occur near water should be planted in damp areas.
• Find out if the plant prefers sun or shade. Plants that don’t like heat should be shaded in the afternoon while sun lovers can grow in hot afternoon sun. Plant a few larger shrubs to provide shade for more delicate plants in summer. Don’t plant the shrubs too close together or they will crowd each other out.
• Indigenous plants with smaller leaves such as Erica and snake bush (Seriphium plumosum syn. Stoebe
plumosa) can usually withstand more heat. Plants with hairy leaves such as Helichrysum species prevent water from being lost through the leaves, while plants with silvery leaves such as Arctotis reflect the sun’s rays.
All these plants do well in arid regions. Succulents with their fleshy leaves are always a good choice for a hot climate. Plants such as pride of Madeira and artichokes, which occur naturally in Mediterranean regions, also work well here, as the climate is very similar. •Usebulbssuchas Freesia, Sparaxis and Ixia that emerge in autumn when it is cooler, and are dormant in the hot summer months. They don’t need much attention and provide colour in spring.
• Add as much organic matter as possible, such as compost, leaf litter and well-rotted manure, to the soil so that it stays damp for longer. A mulch in the beds helps a lot in dry spells and keeps the roots cool.
• Avoid a lawn – rather use groundcovers such as
Gazania and vygies; they also provide colour.
• Plant trees that do well in the area, or create shade in an instant by building structures made with latte.
• Use water sparingly and shape the topography of your garden so that it retains as much water as possible, instead of flowing away. Do this by forming a dry river bed that channels rainwater to a temporary or seasonal well or pond. Around these, use plants such as honey flower (Melianthus major) or September bush
(Polygala myrtifolia) that like seasonal water around their roots. Also create small ‘valleys’ and ‘hills’ so that water will collect there and slowly seep into the ground instead of running away quickly and you have to irrigate again soon. >>
CONTACT Leon Kluge leonkluge@yahoo.com