Tree Ferns : Cyathea Australis

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1 Tree Ferns : Cyathea Australis Exotic to SA: Indigenous to Australia. Very little care needed. Needs more water than other plants. Trim back dead fronds. Should re-shoot new fronds every season. Will grow to a height of about 2.5/3m in Johannesburg (although it grows much taller in ideal environments which tend to be subtropical). Can be frost sensitive if it is unprotected. Cold winds in winter can damage the plant. Provided moisture content remains high it can tolerate full sun. Its ideal growing environment is shade. Fertilize annually with a good quality mulch and ideally keep the mulch around the base of the stem (in a diameter of about 60cm) throughout the year. This will serve to keep the soil moist and provide nutrients to the shallow root system. Tree ferns respond well to organic fertilizers and to well-rotted animal manure. You can buy Talborne organic fertilizer from Windy Willows or a bag of organic fertilizer.

2 Mackaya Bella Mackaya bella (River Bell) is indigenous to South Africa and is native to the Eastern Cape, KZN and Limpopo province. It thrives in the shade, although does require some sun in order to give its best show (flowers). The sun will however often cause the leaves to yellow. The plant needs regular watering in summer for the first year until well-established. The bush attracts the Blue Pansy butterfly caterpillars. The Mackaya Bella should be planted in welldrained soil and thrives on plenty of compost. Feed annually and like many other shade loving plants will thrive on a bed of mulch which covers the plant for most of the year. It is not very frost hardy and therefore thrives on more temperate climates. In the Johannesburg area it should be protected from the cold winter winds by planting it behind a wall, under a tree, or in a protected suburban garden. Feed with a slow release fertilizer every two months in summer. The plant responds well to a light pruning after flowering to encourage bushy new growth and to maintain a compact shape.

3 Azalea Azaleas planted in late Spring need to be kept moist (but not too wet) in order to prevent drying out and dying. Do not plant Azalea s in poorly drained soil as the fine fibrous root system is easily damaged by excess water. The best time to plant Azaleas is early Spring or late Autumn. Azaleas enjoy acid soil. If you are not able to test the acidity simply dig in an acid compost which can be ordered through Windy Willows Nursery. The acidity of the soil can be enhanced by putting a layer of pine needles around the plant. Azaleas prefer a PH value of between 4.5 and 5.5. This will also act as a mulch to keep the soil cool, moist, and full of nutrients. Being shallow rooted, Azaleas tend to dry out quickly, hence the importance of mulching the soil. Azaleas bloom in spring and summer and the flowers often last for a few weeks at a time. They are shade tolerant plants that enjoy living near or under trees. The dappled shade of trees is ideal for the growth and flowering of the plant. Fertilizing the plant is best done in spring immediately after the azalea blooms. Keeping a layer of mulch on the soil all year round will reduce the need for any additional fertilizer. The plant should only be trimmed after flowering each year. Try to do this pruning within three weeks of the flowers dying in order not to compromise the next years show. This will ensure that you get to enjoy the flowers first. Dead branches can be trimmed away at any time of year. Azaleas are seldom bothered by insects and diseases and require little care once established.

4 Agapanthus: Blue and White Agapanthus is an indigenous perennial plant which is very easy to grow and is often used in relatively poor soils such as on pavements. While agapanthus will benefit from regular and deep drenching, they will also survive in drier sections of the garden which does not get regular water (such as on the pavement). The agapanthus praecox variety (sold at Windy Willows Nursery) prefers full sun, but will also flower in semi shade, and is often grown under the shade of trees. Agapanthus praecox is an evergreen plant and will tolerate light frost. It should be divided once every four years to ensure abundant flowering. Clumps are best lifted and divided just after flowering in March (Autumn). Evergreen agapanthus often flower best the year after being divided. In order to divide the large clumps place two garden forks back to back in the centre of the clump and prise apart. The foliage should then be cut back (to roughly half the original size, while the root clump can be reduced by two thirds. They should then be replanted immediately and watered thoroughly. Agapanthus praecox are generally disease free. Where the foliage is attacked by red spider mite or mealy bug the most common solution is to pull out the infected plants and dispose of them (not on the compost heap, but rather in a plastic bag in the dustbin.) Agapanthus also often attract garden snails. The best remedy is once again to lift the snails at night when they come out and to drop them into a glass of water (or to simply step on them). Prune away dead leaves and blooms whenever they appear. Pruning the dead flowers encourages the plant to continue flowering. Apply a layer of mulch in winter months to protect the plant. The mulch should be removed at the beginning of spring to allow for new growth. Agapanthus can have either blue of white flowers. The taller varieties grow to 30/40 cm tall with the flowers up to 70/80 cm. The dwarf varieties will be between 20/30 cm with the flowers being 30/40 cm in height.

5 Asystasia Asystasia gangetica (creeping foxglove) is an attractive, fast-growing and spreading groundcover. It grows to a height of between 300mm and 600mm; has dark green leaves and is covered by cream coloured flowers with purple markings on the palate. It flowers continuously during spring and summer (November to April). The groundcover prefers semi-shade, but will grow in sunny areas if there is sufficient moisture. It grows in poorer soil, but will thrive in well composted soil. The ability of this plant to spread can result in it smothering surrounding vegetation. The most common pest is dodder which resembles a fine yellow thread which will eventually kill the plant. Where dodder is identified the entire plant (the asystasia) should be pulled out of the ground and destroyed. Removing the dodder alone is very difficult as the yellow thread easily breaks, and then regrows from the remaining sections. Asystasia attracts bees, butterflies and birds. Feed with or organic fertiliser and water regularly for best results.

6 Viburnum Sinensus Viburnum sinensus (or sweet viburnum) is an exotic, evergreen shrub suited to both small and large gardens. Left alone it can reach 5m in height and up to 4m in width. Alternatively it is a very good candidate for pruning back into a much smaller hedge (or barrier plant) or as a shrub. It is also effective for noise control due to its dense growing pattern. Can also be grown as a small tree. Do not plant too close to buildings as it can have a fairly aggressive root growth. Ideally viburnums should not be planted closer than 1m to the walls of the house. It has attractive large light green leaves that are very ornamental and are complimented by masses of fragrant white flowers in autumn and winter. It is frost tolerant and is at its best in full sun (although it will tolerate semi shade, but is unlikely to flower in these conditions). Birds and butterflies are drawn to its fragrant flowers. It requires a regular water supply. When utilised as a hedge Viburnum sinensus should be planted approximately 80cm to 1m apart depending on how quickly full coverage is required. The hedge can be pruned back to a width of approximately 1 meter which will ensure that a dense screen is created. The hedge should not be allowed to grow tall too quickly. Pruning back the top of the hedge will ensure that there is vigorous growth at the bottom of the hedge. Feed with an organic fertilizer. This is the faster growing viburnum variety growing at a rate of 1 / 1.5 meters per year. Moderately drought tolerant once it is well established although it looks better and stays healthier with regular irrigation. Fertilize three times per year (spring, summer and autumn) with an organic fertilizer.

7 Viburnum suspensum Viburnum suspensum is a hardy evergreen shrub with a spreading habit and coarse texture. It has a more compact form than Viburnum sinensus and will grow and flower in the shade. Ideally used to provide a green background where there is limited sunlight (under trees or in a shady corner of the garden). Flowering shrubs look even more vibrant in front of its distinctive dark green foliage. In late winter and sporadically throughout the summer and spring the suspensum will produce small waxy tubular flowers held in tight clusters. The flowers are white with pinkish tints and give way to small round red berries in autumn. Prune as needed in Spring and Summer in order to maintain the desired shape and size. The cold tolerance of both the Viburnum sinensus and the Viburnum suspensum make them ideal for colder climates in conditions of frost or even snow. These shrubs work with any style of landscaping, from tropical to formal. They can be kept regularly manicured or only occasionally trimmed for a more rounded, natural look. Spaced correctly they will stay full to the ground and create a dense wall of green. Add compost to the hole when planting the shrub. Moderately fast growing habit with growth of between 80cm and 1m per year. Do a hard pruning once the shrub has finished flowering. Suspensum does best with regular watering and does not mind wet feet occasionally. Fertilize three times per year (spring, summer and autumn) with an organic fertilizer.