Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Defining the boundaries
Timeless and classic, hedges look attractive and can serve several functions in a garden
HEDGES were probably one of the earliest forms of living walls in the garden. They look attractive and play a functional role. Hedges can help to define property boundaries, create privacy, screen out noise or act as a windbreak. They may also be used to emphasise art or a particular feature in the garden.
“Hedges are a traditional and practical way of providing the structural backbone to a garden’s design,” says Athol McLaggan, head gardener at Stellenberg Gardens in Kenilworth.
“Hedges can be used to create privacy, divide a garden up into rooms which allows you to develop a theme or story within the room or to screen off an unwanted view. These principles apply to a large garden or a small townhouse garden. Hedges remain a timeless and classic element of good garden design.”
Formal hedges, with shrubs planted closely together, are regularly clipped to maintain a geometric shape. Informal hedges are more natural and are only clipped a few times a year. Lavender makes a pretty and fragrant informal hedge.
Low-growing hedges help define the edges of pathways. Tall, thorny hedges provide a level of security.
Best shrubs for hedges
Evergreen shrubs which are fast growers, with a dense growth habit, make the best hedging candidates.
At Stellenberg, plants used for hedges are the brush cherry ( Syzygium paniculatum), myrtle ( Myrtus communis), dune crowberry ( Searsia crenata), the Cape leadwort ( Plumbago auriculata) and a number of lesser-known plants. These include weeping sage ( Buddleja auriculata), Chinese plumbago ( Ceratostigma willmottianum), spekboom ( Portulacaria afra) and the African boxwood ( Myrsine africana).
Dune crowberry, a hardy shrub, is a fast grower, able to reach heights of about 3m and is suitable for coastal or inland gardens. Older leaves are dark green with scalloped edges and new foliage has a reddish hue. It can also be grown in pots and rounded into spheres. It’s drought-resistant and able to grow in sun or semishade. And it’s fruit attracts birds.
African boxwood, also called the Cape myrtle, is a tough, water-wise, compact shrub that makes a good hedging candidate. The purple-red berries attract several bird species. Plant in full sun or partial shade.
Spekboom is a water-wise and drought-tolerant plant that can grow 3m to 5m high. The plants are hardy and evergreen and absorb carbon.
Common box ( Buxus sempervirens) is a popular plant for low, formal hedges or topiary. It is often seen along pathways and/or in knot gardens. It grows well in different soil types and tolerates both sun and full shade. It’s a slow grower.
Cape honeysuckle ( Tecoma capensis) is a versatile plant in any garden. In the height of summer, it is bathed in orange, coral or yellow flowers, with luscious green leaves. It is water wise, drought tolerant and able to withstand coastal winds. It thrives in full sun but will tolerate semi-shade. Its blooms attract butterflies.
VISIT STELLENBERG
With its historical architecture and 16 distinct garden areas to explore, visitors are sure to find inspiration in this internationally acclaimed garden. The Stellenberg Gardens Nursery has been redesigned to add another room to the overall gardens.
Stellenberg, a garden of national significance, is open to the public to raise funds for charity:
Dates: November 10 and 11
Times: 9.30am to 5.30pm
Cost: R50 entry for adults; under 12s free; R30 tea/coffee with refreshments. Proceeds go to St Joseph’s Home for Chronically Ill Children.
Venue: 30 Oak Avenue, Kenilworth, Cape Town.
For more info, call 021 761 2948 or email: stellenberggardens@ovenstones.co.za