Selecting Indigenous Plants

Selecting indigenous plants will help save water during the drought.

Aloe thraskii/ Beach Aloe

The ongoing drought has left many garden-lovers in despair as strict water restrictions have turned once lush gardens into desolate wastelands with plants wilted and dying. However, by selecting indigenous plants, gardens can be transformed into a wealth of colour with very little water needed.

Renowned South African landscaper, botanist and consultant to Izinyoni Nursery, Elsa Pooley, said there were a number of benefits associated with using drought-resistant plants in the garden, the limited water needed being the leading factor. Izinyoni Nursery, based at Crocworld Conservation Centre on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, boasts one of the biggest ranges of indigenous flowers, trees, succulents and shrubs in the country providing endless options for those looking to transform their coastal gardens.

Aloe ferox

“Using locally-sourced, indigenous plants will bring a variety of insects and birdlife to your garden,” explained Pooley. “Many people might have noticed the number of butterflies during the May and June period. This is because of the flush of Autumn flowering plants.”

One viable option is the well-known succulent, the Aloe, which erupts in splendid colours, bringing life to any garden and really needs little or no water, even at planting. Aloe arborescens, Aloe vanbalenii, Aloe chabaudii, Aloe ferox, Aloe thraskii and the local spotted leaf Soap Aloe, Aloe maculata, are all in full glorious flower, attracting insects and nectar-loving birds.

“When watered, the leaves of the Aloe will remain green, however, if left without water the leaves go a lovely pink in winter,” said Pooley. “Not everybody likes succulents, except when they are in flower every winter, but the leaves can be spectacularly colourful too. There is also a range of flowering shrubs and bedding plants which are at their best at this time of the year.”

Another succulent that has very interesting colouring is the Kalanchoe, with K. thyrsiflora White Lady, K. longiflora and K. sexangularis all providing wonderfully colourful leaves with very different textures.

Erythrina lysistemon/ Common Coral Tree

Crassulas are also rewarding, drought-resistant plants, with a variety of reliable groundcovers such as the pink flowering Fairy Crassula C. multicava, and white flowering C. sarmentosa. People might be familiar with the lovely succulent shrub, the Pink Joy Crassula ovata which can grow into a tall rounded shrub with shiny leaves and starry pink flowers.

Other wonderfully colourful succulents are Kleinia fulgens, Euphorbia tirucalli ’firesticks’ and the fresh green foliage of Spekboom Portulacaria caffra which can be left to grow freely or can be trimmed into a neat and attractive very drought-hardy hedge. Senecios offer interesting textured and coloured foliage, especially Senecio barbertonicus, Senecio aizoides and Senecio ficoides.

However, Pooley warns that not all succulents want full sun so it is worth checking with the nursery whether they need partial shade. The coast tends to have particularly shaded gardens so Pooley advised looking at flowering shrubs, rather than trees, to bring some colour.

“Any new plant will need to be watered when planted, at least once a week for the first month,” she explained. “Once they’re established, they can generally withstand anything. I would recommend feeding plants using lots of compost when you plant and then mulch beds, about once a year. This will keep your soil damp and cool while keeping away weeds.”

She said birds and insects needed a range of plant types to choose from so, when selecting plants for a garden, it’s best to opt for a wider variety.

Kalanchoe sexangularis.

For more information, visit www.izinyoni-nursery.co.za

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