Page 13 - Silver Lakes July 2021

GARDENING

WINTER GRASSLAND

MAINTENANCE

By Elize Malan

The following indigenous grasses are from which the leaves and inflorescences
often used in garden design. grow. The plants should be pruned just
above soil level.
Aristida junciformis: Bright green growth
in summer. Wispy seed heads persist on If the grasses receive irrigation water,
the plant for an extended period from they can be pruned as soon as spring
November to May. The culms are slow to temperatures start rising. Melinus nerviglumis
yellow with the onset of winter, making An organic fertiliser can be applied to a • Bird nesting: some birds, such as the
this a good landscaping grass. grassland once the clumps show green African Grass Owl cannot nest when
shoots. grass is cut and left lying where it falls.
Melinus nerviglumis: Bluish green leaves
and pink inflorescences that appear from Wetlands or wild gardens where no Uncontrolled fires in overgrown
September to April. irrigation is available allow for more than grassland should be prevented:
one choice: • The collapsed dead material at soil
Themeda triandra (Rooigras): Blue-green Cutting of wild grasses should be done level will result in extremely high
tufted grass that turns red with age and close to the first spring rain. temperatures, causing the destruction
bears grass flowers in hanging clusters of the root systems of perennial grasses.
from October to June. Or, if possible, a controlled burning plan • The grassland or wetland is left with
can be followed. bare patches, prone to weed invasion
Grasses planted in landscaped gardens are and soil erosion.
usually irrigated and fertilised, and growth Only patch burning should be done from
is rigorous compared with these plants end June until end July. This is a suitable When designing a garden, visualise the
in their natural habitat. Due to this, the period and will not interfere with nesting plants in all four seasons.
seed heads are tall and heavy, and tend birds. The wetland should be divided and
to fall over, creating an untidy appearance burned in a three-year cycle with no burning It is important to know that indigenous
in autumn. Most people regard the at all in the fourth year. Thus, ensuring grasses will not remain green throughout
indigenous blonde or straw coloured sufficient cover for birds and wildlife. the year. In winter their papery leaves and
grasses as unattractive in winter, but these dry inflorescences add little colour but
form a perfect background for the yellow, The benefits of patch burning are the plenty of texture, movement and grace to
orange and red aloe flowers. following: contemporary landscapes.
• No build-up of collapsed dead material
Without the right guidance, gardeners at soil level. Tel: 012 804 1807
will prune the grass clumps, sometimes as • Burning produces ash, a necessary Fax: 012 804 0278
early as May. fertiliser for veld grass/wetland grass. Web: www.garden-group.co.za
Even smoke is beneficial for plants in E-mail: admin@garden-group.co.za
Cutting should not be done so soon, as the this ecosystem.
grass is a valuable cover for summer bulbs • Diversity of plant material is encouraged,
and tender herbaceous plants. Growth seed germination and bulb growth
points of grasses are close to the ground improve, and excessive growth of forbs
in the culm: the lower section of the stem is prevented.
Photos supplied by: Carol Knoll

Straw coloured winter grassland Aristida junciformis along a pathway

INTRA MUROS JULY 2021 11