Clik here to view.
The Importance of the Environment
Kniphofia porphyrantha in flower. One of the most fundamental questions that we must ask ourselves is why the environment is so important and such a debated topic today? Before we try and address this...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sources of Plants for Highveld Gardens
The origin of indigenous plants suitable for gardening purposes on the Highveld will be discussed. The idea is quite simple – use plants in your garden that occurs in Southern Africa that is adapted to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Garden Trees From The Grassland Biome
The Grassland Biome is found chiefly on the high central plateau of South Africa, and the inland areas of KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. Most of the Witwatersrand falls within this veld type....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Garden Shrubs From The Grassland Biome
In the previous article, trees from the Grassland Biome that makes our gardens exciting and the feathered friends happy, were discussed. In this issue the focus will be on shrubs and small trees. In an...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Garden Perennials and Bulbs From the Grassland Biome
Up to now the trees and shrubs of the grasslands have been discussed in the previous articles. What is not known to many people is that the perennials and bulbs that occur in the Grassland Biome are...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Top 10 Bulbs for Highveld Garden
When driving through the waving grasses on the Highveld, the beautiful bulbs that grow amongst them often go unnoticed since the grasses dwarf them. But with a bit of practice, you will at least spot...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pre-rain flowers in Gauteng
Most people think of early spring on the Highveld as dusty, windy and yellow. However, when it comes to flowers, no season can beat early spring for variety and colour. The so-called pre-rain flowers...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Biodiversity in the urban environment
Landscape architect and lecturer, Dr. Ida Breed approached Wildflower Wholesale Nursery to supply plants for the sidewalks on Nana Sita Street between Paul Kruger street and Nelson Mandela drive in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Drought Tolerant Plants from the Grassland Biome
It was reported in the Press that September 2015 was the hottest September worldwide since record keeping started some 138 years ago. In our neck of the woods, it certainly was the driest September we...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Gardening with Grassland Species Part 1: Grassland Gardens
The British refers to Grassland Gardens as Meadows. The British has a very nice term to describe this type of garden – a meadow. It is a delightful mixture of grasses and other perennials that occur...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Gardening with Grassland Species Part 2: Bushveld Gardens
When the term “Bushveld” is heard, it invokes memories of the Waterberg, Kruger National Park and too many other remarkable areas to name here. It normally refers to vegetation consisting of sparse...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Gardening With Grassland Species Part 3: Shady Garden Spots
The whole dynamics of grassland ecology ensure that shady garden spots are kept to a minimum. What fires do not burn down, the grazers will level. The only places where shade-loving plants are...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Autumn is in the Air
The change of season is always an exciting time for gardeners sensitive to the habitat that they’ve created around them. Some birds, such as the swallows and swifts are preparing for long journeys...
View ArticleLandscape Restoration Project Rating System
This paper was presented during the ILASA conference that took place at the CSIR on 29 and 30 September 2016. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RESTORATION RATING SYSTEM FOR THE CONSISTENT EVALUATION OF RESTORATION...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Try The Truly African Way Of Landscaping
The current mainstream approach to landscaping in South Africa still has its roots in the Western European model. The general approach is a beautiful garden full of flowers with straight lines, small...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Rehabilitation of Disturbed Land
By Dr. Johan Wentzel Published: 30 January 2017 Copyright © All Rights Reserved Read and Download Publication (2MB) “In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand;...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Granny’s Kitchen
We are so used to Woolies (or something similar) for putting food on the table that we tend to forget that there was a time when we were actually hunter-gatherers. So, I thought it appropriate to look...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Grassland Garden Maintenance
A grassland garden contains the grasses associated with our Grassland Biome as well as the perennials and geophytes that also occur amongst the grasses. One can consider this as a locally flavoured...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Case Study: Creating An Extensive Residential Green Roof
A Shallow Kind of Green By Martine van Rooyen and Johan Wentzel The English TV show ‘Grand Designs’ should be accompanied by a warning for viewers. Watching this programme will make you feel that you...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Quick Introduction To Earth-Friendly Gardening
Kniphofia porphyrantha in flower. One of the most fundamental questions that we must ask ourselves is why earth-friendly gardening is so important and such a debated topic today? Before we try and...
View Article
