Page 8 - LandscapeSAIssue113

PROJECT

Traffic circle with planting and wire basket gabion walls

Planting softens the expanses of paving and hardscaping Exterior walkway with hardy, indigenous plants

where hard and soft landscape elements are used to draw the • As a dryland revegetation option, no irrigation is needed for the
eye to the entrance of the building. This formal design consists of establishment or upkeep of the area.
evergreen hedges trimmed at various levels, with accent bands • It creates natural islands or corridors to promote biodiversity in
offset against lower growing wild species mixes that also start to the area, and habitat-specific seed mixtures can be prepared.
communicate with the wildness of the hydroseeding. Plant material • It promotes a reduction in the carbon footprint and creates
has been carefully selected to be as water-wise as possible, with biodiversity offset areas.
higher water usage species being introduced only in focal areas
and multi-functional zones. The hydroseeding process starts with soil preparation and the area
is scarified to ensure the soil crust is broken and rills are created
Other points of note for the external landscaping are that: parallel to the contours of the area. This improves soil moisture
• slopes and the erosion control thereof have been dealt with by conditions and creates a favourable seedbed for germination. A
introducing groundcover that also softens the scale of the slopes; fine grade organic compost is added into the hydroseeder with soil
• hydroseeding was used to cover the rest of the site, blending ameliorants, tackifiers and seed. The hydroseeder has an agitation
and grounding the hospital within its surrounds; system which is sufficient to agitate, suspend and homogeneously
• the landscaping is also used to soften harder surfaces and mix the specified slurry. The slurry is sprayed out evenly over the
elements such as the attenuation pond, parking and fencing. area, ensuring total coverage.

Thabakholo Environmental Solutions was responsible for the The Netcare Alberton project was revegetated in February 2021
hydroseeding at Netcare Alberton in order to establish a natural and the region received sufficient rainfall, promoting the veld
veld area on the open areas of the property. Hydroseeding veld grass germination and establishment.
grass has the following advantages:
• It is cost effective, and later development of the area can be Internal landscape design and courtyards
easily justified. There are eight internal courtyards in the hospital, three of which
• It is low maintenance as the veld grass suppresses weed growth are located on the ground floor, three on the first floor and two on
n
and requires hardly any cutting during the year. the second floor. They are situated along main corridors and wards.

6 Landscape SA • Issue 113 2022