Page 16 - Silver Lakes September 2021

GARDENING

Succulent leaves of Portulacaria afra Portulacaria afra 'prostrata' on veranda paving

Portulacaria afra (Spekboom) archway Portulacaria afra (Spekboom)
Portulacaria afra (Pork Bush/Spekboom) seems to be an ongoing debate on this
An evergreen succulent with small bright topic.
green leaves. The pink flowers in spring
are nectar-rich and provide food for many The most important fact is that all trees
insects. Usually planted as a shrub or are beneficial to our atmosphere and the
hedge plant, but can grow into a small people on this planet.
tree of 4m if left unpruned. It needs well-
drained soil for optimum growth and can References
withstand severe drought. Portulacaria • Joffe, P. 2001. ‘Creative Gardening with
afra will grow in semi-shade but prefers Indigenous Plants: A South African Guide’ Briza.
Pretoria
full sun. It will tolerate light frost when • Pooley, E. 1993. ‘The Complete Field Guide to
mature. Trees of Natal, Zululand & Transkei’ Natal Flora
Publications Trust. Durban
The plant is often grown as a bonsai. The • Van Wyk, B and van Wyk, P. 1997. ‘Field Guide to
Trees of Southern Africa’. Struik Publishers. Cape
leaves are edible and have a sour flavour. Town.
Portulacaria afra prostata has a creeping
habit and is useful in a hanging basket Photos by Carol Knoll
or planted in concrete retaining block
walls. The trees are usually grown from Tel: 012 804 1807
cuttings. No special care is needed and Fax: 012 804 0278
root formation occurs within a month. Web: www.garden-group.co.za
E-mail: admin@garden-group.co.za
According to some studies, the Spekboom
is effective in carbon sequestration
(binding atmospheric carbon which is
responsible for climate change). There
Portulacaria afra in shrubbery

14 INTRA MUROS SEPTEMBER 2021