Page 27 - Intra Muros September 2023

GARDENING

GEARING UP FOR ARBOUR WEEK WITH

TWO SELECT SPECIES

n South Africa, Arbour Week is celebrated
annually during the first week of
ISeptember.

According to the website SouthAfrica.com,
“this is a time when South Africans are
encouraged to celebrate the beauty and
importance of trees, and they are made The scented flowers of the Buddleja saligna
aware of the benefits of the many different
aspects of forestry”. throughout the year. When trained as a Flowers of the Bolosanthus speciosus
(Tree Wisteria) tree
tree, a sturdy support is needed that has
For Arbour Week, two different species to be adjusted often. During prolonged wet The Tree Wisteria is one of our most
are selected each year as a way of raising weather, the leaves can develop downy beautiful trees; it is suitable for planting in
awareness about tree diversity in our mildew. Treatment with a fungicide is containers in full sun.
gardens. It’s also a great way of encouraging seldom required as the problem disappears
the public to know more about trees. with drier weather. This species tolerates clay soil, is drought
resistant and does not have an aggressive
According to Forestry South Africa, the Buddleja’s mature size makes it suitable for root system. The hard wood makes it termite
following are the trees for this year: small gardens and it can be a shade tree and borer resistant.
if carefully maintained. Do not plant as a
Buddleja saligna (Olive Sagewood) street/pavement tree. Like all trees during flowering time, it can
A fast-growing tree in Gauteng that’s usually be quite messy. A young tree will need
four to five metres tall. The bark is creamy Bolosanthus speciosus (Tree protection from frost. The tree is usually
brown to dark brown and is longitudinally Wisteria) multi-stemmed and is initially slow-growing.
furrowed – an artwork on its own. The It is a small to medium-sized tree that’s
scented flowers appear from spring to usually five to seven metres tall. The bark is Bolosanthus is a suitable tree for all sizes of
summer. The flowers attract bees, moths brownish grey, rough and deeply fissured. garden. It looks spectacular when planted
and insect-feeding birds. Flowering time can be from August to along an avenue, as you can see at the
January. The tree drops its leaves for a short Pretoria National Botanical Gardens in
Buddleja is evergreen, cold tolerant, time in early spring, before the drooping, Brummeria.
excellent as a screen plant and suitable to blue, fragrant flowers appear. The flowers
prune as a clipped hedge. are a rich source of nectar and are visited by Both Buddleja and Bolosanthus would
bees and other insects. be welcome additions in a homeowner’s
The tree will grow in heavy clay soils. It garden on Silver Lakes estate. As always,
tolerates wet conditions and it does not proper soil preparation is required before
have an aggressive root system. planting in order to ensure healthy, steady
growth.
On the downside, this species is rather
messy due to flower and leaf drop Sources:
https://forestry.co.za/industry-info/tree-of-the-year/
https://pza.sanbi.org/buddleja-saligna
https://pza.sanbi.org/bolusanthus-speciosus
Field Guide to Trees in Southern Africa by Braam van Wyk

Tel: 012 804 1807
Fax: 012 804 0278
Web: www.garden-group.co.za
Email: admin@garden-group.co.za

Buddleja saligna (Olive Sagewood) tree Bolosanthus speciosus (Tree Wisteria)

INTRAMUROS SEPTEMBER 2023 | 25