LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
PERENNIALS include bulbs, succulents, woody herbs and numerous other soft-stemmed plants. They grow fast and multiply steadily through offshoots, or are easy to propagate from cuttings. In this way they make up a valuable bank of plant material that will increase to fill space quite quickly. Growing a variety will help you to discover your favourites and also what grows best in your garden.
Start with just a few kinds, but buy at least five of each for an effective start.
BULBS are plants that have underground storage organs of various kinds, which enable them to survive adverse conditions, making them a real boon for the novice gardener.
Some are evergreen, providing handsome strap-like foliage year round in addition to brilliant seasonal flowers. Examples of these include clivias, dietes and most agapanthus.
A winning indigenous combination for dry shade under trees: Clivia miniata, feathery Asparagus densiflorus, the white-flowered ground cover Asystasia gangetica or velvety
Plectranthus madagascariensis, and grass-like Chlorophytum saundersiae with spires of starry white flowers.
Winning indigenous combination for sun: tall Agapanthus praecox plus one of the many beautiful smaller new varieties, mauve Tulbaghia violacea, magenta Geranium incanum and white
daisy-flowered Felicia bergeriana.
HERBS are a must for both kitchen and garden. Rosemary and lavender can be the backbone of a new planting of annuals and a wonderful addition to an old garden. Add to these some scented-leaf pelargoniums for a mix of lovely scent and texture, all easily propagated from cuttings.
SUCCULENTS are superb easy-care, drought-resistant plants that are easily propagated and require little feeding. Most prefer sun, but there are quite a number of species that prefer some shade; they must all, however, have good drainage. The vast variety of shapes and forms make them fascinating to collect and grow.
A winning combination for hot, dry spots: grey-leaved shrubby
Senecio ficoides, architectural aloes with fat-leaved Cotyledon orbiculata or Kalanchoe thyrsiflora; colourful kalanchoes and drought-resistant ground covers such as the bright vygie, Delosperma cooperi, and herbaceous grey-leaved daisy-flowered Arctotis acaulis.