Page 23 - Blue Valley News June/July 2021

GARDENING

whole host of insects and solitary, stingless They attract Sunbirds, other nectar feeding
bees. Plant in clusters in a grassland garden birds, bees and butterflies to the garden. Use
or in amongst groundcovers and smaller as a screening plant, clip into a formal hedge
shrubs. Although this plant is not particularly or simply use as a free-flowing shrub. It needs
long-lasting, it does seed itself readily so you pruning after flowering to keep it looking its
will always have this beautiful plant in your best and to encourage further flowering. If
garden. pruned to the size required, this essentially
large shrub can be used in a small garden.
Senecio macroglossus - Flowering Ivy Plant in sun or semi-shade.
This fairly hardy, evergreen, slender, fast-
growing creeper has attractive, glossy, semi-
succulent, ivy-shaped foliage. The lemon-
yellow daisy-like flowers, borne from March
to July, attract many insects to the garden.
Allow it to climb or use it as an attractive
groundcover. It is also lovely planted in
hanging baskets and containers. It grows in
sun or semi-shade, although it doesn't do well
in hot, dry areas. Plant in well-composted,
well-drained soil.

Pavonia praemorsa - Yellow Pavonia
This is a hardy, evergreen, very attractive,
medium-sized shrub with shiny, roughly-
textured, round leaves and purplish stems.
It bears butter-yellow hibiscus-like flowers
almost all year round. It attracts pollinating
insects to the garden. It is a beautiful form
plant and a most attractive garden subject
that grows in sun or semi-shade. Plant in well-
drained, compost-rich soil and prune in early
spring to keep a compact shape.

For more information, visit the Random
Harvest website: www.randomharvest.co.za,
or call 082 553 0598. BV

Hypoestes aristata ‘Little Pink’ - Pink
Ribbon Bush
A hardy, evergreen, small- to medium-sized,
rounded shrub, the Pink Ribbon Bush has
grey-green leaves with lighter veins that give
them a slightly variegated look. From March
to August, when very little else is in flower,
it bears abundant flower spikes that are
densely packed with two-lipped pink flowers
with purple spots. It attracts butterflies and
other insects, as well as insect-eating birds
in winter. Prune back severely after flowering
to keep in shape and promote flowering the
following season. Plant in sun, shade or semi-
shade.
Tecoma [=Tecomaria] capensis - Cape-
honeysuckle
This colourful, rambling shrub has attractive,
bright-green foliage. The beautiful, large
spikes of funnel-shaped orange, yellow, red
or tangerine flowers are borne from early
spring, throughout summer and into winter.
BLUE VALLEY NEWS • Issue 3 2021 • 21