The Gardener Magazine

The bountiful month of October brings much to do in the garden. As always, we discussed what should go in this magazine. The team who put this wonderful magazine together for you is incredibly passionate. We did all agree on one thing: the feature garden, which is certainly an oasis in the little town of Prince Albert. The first time I went in there, truth be told, I sneaked in, and after taking many photographs and being blown away by the sheer magnificence and interest in the space around every corner, I got a frantic phone from the person who snuck me in to ask where I was as she had to see me urgently. She arrived, panicked and stressed to tell me that the garden was under embargo and…

Dear Tanya… Winning letter I desperately need your guidance, please. I want to plant a lemon tree in a pot. I’ve been looking around for different pots and have seen fibreglass and cement options. I’m concerned that fibreglass will crack eventually as the roots grow, and don’t know much about cement pots. Could you perhaps guide me in terms of the best pots to use for lemon trees and also the best size? Appreciate your help. Kind regards Vivienne Hi Vivienne, Regarding the fibreglass pot – don’t stress about cracking; your lemon tree will have to be in there for at least 20 years before it cracks, and by that time, I am sure you would need a bigger pot anyway. I am a firm believer in terracotta. Being clay,…

Aeonium ‘Pink Witch’ The spoon-shaped leaves are bright pink and tinged with red, with a dull green centre. The offsets or side branches are short and compact, forming a very attractive clump about 45 cm high. Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ An enchanting cultivar with very dark purple to almost black leaves. The lovely rosettes are carried on long, bare branches up to a height of 90 cm. Individual rosettes of mature plants can produce conical clusters of yellow star-shaped flowers in late winter and spring. Aeonium ‘Medusa’ The scarlet red colour of the leaves with a central dark stripe intensifies in summer, and in winter, the outer edges turn creamy white, adding interest. It has a cascading branching habit. Their growth habits are weird and multi-stemmed, which could either be upright or…

ECKARDS GREEN CLUB https://eckards.co.za/ Collect points every time you shop at Eckards Garden Pavilion. As you accumulate points, you will receive vouchers to spend at Eckards, and signing up is free. Eckards is an award-winning garden centre known for always having the best staff, so you can get the best advice, guaranteed quality plants, local deliveries, and much more. Join the rewards programme and get more for your money. Visit Eckards at 101 Boeing Road East, Bedfordview, Gauteng and sign up for the Eckards Green Club. www.eckards.co.za https://sanscape.co.za/ POTS, POTS, AND MORE POTS For a good range of plastic pots, look for the Sanscapes brand at your local garden centre. It covers window boxes, flower pots, patio pots and planters, and a range of colourful hanging baskets with colour-coded hangers.…

Nestled in the small Karoo town of Prince Albert, Mirtehof is a guest house that is a testament to the transformative power of vision and dedication. Owned by Bets van Rensburg and Stevan Moller, this enchanting oasis boasts a garden that seamlessly integrates lush greenery, vibrant blooms, and soothing water features. It is a garden for the senses, inviting exploration and offering tranquillity in equal measure. Walking through Mirtehof, visitors are greeted by meandering paths leading through rich textures and colour tapestries. Mixed beds and formal hedges harmonise with wildflowers, edibles, rose beds, trees, pots and whimsical focal points. The scent of fresh herbs and ripening fruit fills the air, enticing one to pause and savour the moment. A tranquil pond, surrounded by a raised patio offering stunning mountain views,…

There are many reasons for creating a paved area in your garden. It would be mostly for practical purposes, whether creating an informal patio area, a pathway leading to another part of the garden, an entranceway, or a means to cover ground where lawn won’t grow. But being functional doesn’t have to mean being unattractive, nor does it have to break the bank. I often use paving as an integral part of my garden designs despite its practicalities. You can allow your creativity to go wild, crafting some beautiful garden spaces using different paving combinations and techniques. Let’s look at three ways that paving can be incorporated into your garden. Stepping stones Stepping stones are the simplest way to link one area to another, allow access to a tap, access…