Page 29 - Silver Lakes Issue 5 May 2023

GARDENING

INDIGENOUS VERSUS EXOTIC

By Elize Malan

ver the past decade, we were The Grassland and Savannah biomes are high temperatures in summer but
encouraged to cultivate only blessed with adequate rainfall, enabling requires regular watering.
Oindigenous plants in our gardens. gardening enthusiasts to grow a wide • Westringia fruticosa or the Australian
All the species that occur naturally within variety of plants – not all indigenous, but rosemary – an evergreen, hardy shrub
South Africa’s borders were promoted. still suitable. with needle-like grey leaves and tiny
However, some of these plants did not flowers. It can be planted as a hedge and
grow as well as expected: some died or Exotic species are plants that have their requires very little water.
became invasive, making this an expensive origins outside the borders of South Africa.
and disappointing effort. Why limit our choices to indigenous when Mexico also provides a wide selection of
a variety of exotic species will thrive in our suitable species:
We live in a large country with a wide climate? • French and African marigolds – both are
variety of vegetation types. South Africa colourful annuals that are easy to grow.
is divided into eight terrestrial biomes: Many of these species attract birds and • Echeverias – although generally
Desert, Succulent Karoo, Nama Karoo, wildlife with their blooms, scents, and fruit perceived as desert plants, these Mexican
Fynbos, Forest, Grassland, Savannah and and insect life. Once established, they can natives inhabit a wide variety of localities
Thicket. grow in poor soil with little water, just like and are hardy, low-maintenance and
suitable indigenous plants. adaptable.
Gauteng is included in the Savannah and • Agave plants – these succulents are
Grassland biomes. It is obvious that plants The following plants originating from native to the semi-arid regions of Mexico
from a different biome will not grow Australia are well suited to our climate: but will tolerate summer rains.
optimally. This then limits your choice of • Melaleuca bracteata or “Johannesburg
plant species, so planting only indigenous gold” – prefers poor soil and grows very In my opinion, suitability should be the
flora becomes less attractive. fast. main criterion when it comes to cultivating
• Callistemon viminalis or “Little John” – plants. The species we choose have to
Irrigation can be withheld to prevent you a small Bottlebrush variety, it is hardy, be able to withstand the extremities of
from overwatering your succulents, but flowers profusely and needs very little weather created by climate change, and
the plants cannot be kept dry when a wet water after the first year of cultivation. should require little effort from our side.
summer occurs. Similarly, forest plants that • Viola hederacea or the Australian
require moist air and regular irrigation will violet – an evergreen, fast-growing We are blessed to have nurseries that stock
be beautiful during summer but will suffer groundcover that grows well in semi- a variety of indigenous and exotic species.
when the dry, cold Gauteng winter prevails. shade as well as in full sun. It tolerates It is up to each of us to pick the plants that
are suitable for our respective gardens.

References:
Regions of Floristic Endemism in Southern Africa
by Abraham E. van Wyk and Gideon F. Smith
Gardening with Keith Kirsten by Keith Kirsten

Tel: 012 804 1807
Echeverias Marigolds
Fax: 012 804 0278
Westringia fruticosa Callistemon viminalis Viola hederacea Web: www.garden-group.co.za
Email: admin@garden-group.co.za

INTRAMUROS MAY 2023 | 27