Picture courtesy Leonora Enking Visit her flickr photostreamJust like other fashions, be it clothing, paint colour schemes etc. plants also go in and out of fashion, and the beautiful Allamanda has now become harder to find in South Africa. This is also due to the economy and COVID which has forced many growers to reduce their range dramatically. I have left it in my Plant Index for identification purposes because there may be a few garden centres that still propagate and sell it, and many old established gardens still have it growing. If you do find one, take cuttings, they grow very easily.  

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Allamanda is a genus of tropical shrubs or vines which are native to South and Central America, and belong to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). The genus contains 12 species of evergreen shrubs, including both semi-climbing and upright types. In the wild they can befound growing in areas with adequate rainfall; alongside lowland streams and other open sunny areas like the edges of forests; and often close to the coast. These luxuriant, colourful, and flamboyant plants are the epitome of a tropical shrub and are popular for ornamental use in tropical and sub-tropical gardens around the world. In cooler climates they can be grown in sheltered areas or conservatories. Allamandas have glossy deep greenleaves that provide the perfect foil for the flamboyant flowers, which bloom almost all summer and autumn. The trumpet-shaped flowers are usually golden yellow in colour, or rose-purple; but hybrids have been bred in various shades of yellow, creamy yellow, light peach, rose and pinkish-purple. The flowers have a delicate fruity scent.

In the Garden:

Allamandas make quite an impact in the garden, and are widely used in the tropics as a hedging plant; and can easily be trained into a free-standing lawn specimen. They also make great climbers if there is something to support them like a tree, trellis or arbour. Allow them to cascade down a low wall; or over hanging baskets and other containers.

Allamanda blanchetii hybrid. Picture courtesy Karl Gercens Visit his flickr photostreamCultivation:

These evergreens grow best in the warm, moist, frost-free regions of the country, both inland and at the coast; thriving in moist, humid tropical and sub-tropical gardens, wheren the minimum average temperature is never lower than 15°C. It goes deciduous once the minimum temperatures go down below -5°C. In cooler regions they will need a protected spot in the garden, and you may need to cover the plants or bring them inside in winter; in these regions keep the plants fairly dry during winter; pruning in spring before growth begins.

Allamandas thrive in full sun, or full morning sun and afternoon shade, and semi-shade. Plants grow easily in any fertile, well-drained; sandy, clay or loamy soil; but tend to become chlorotic (yellow) in very alkaline conditions. Plant in a wind protected spot, water and feed regularly, and the plants will grow vigorously. Species vary in height and spread, and in the tropics they can become quite large, with stems reaching 3m or more in height; but can easily be trained to grow as a free-standing shrub +-2m tall.

Their rapid growth creates a sprawling growth form, which can be held in check by pruning heavily in spring and then by occasionally pinching out the growing tips in summer; but take care because allamandas flower on new growth and too much pruning in summer will inhibit flowering. Care should be taken when pruning as all parts of the plant are toxic,and the milky sap can irritate the skin.

Allamanda cathartica. Picture courtesy Leonora Enking. Visit her flickr photostream(Allamanda blanchetii syn. Allamanda violacea) Purple Allamanda Produces large trumpet-shaped, rosy-violet flowers with dark throats; the flowers fade to pink, giving it a lovely two-toned effect. Cultivars Chocolate Cherry and Chocolate Swirl produce pinkish purple flowers with burgundy-brown throats; Cherries Jubilee bears creamy burgundy-violet blossoms. If left un-pruned it can reach up to 6m.

(Allamanda cathartica) Golden Trumpet-vine Produces bright yellow and trumpet shaped flowers in abundance and will grow +-2 to 5m tall if left un-pruned.

(Allamanda schottii) Golden Trumpet-bush This erect shrub has oleander-type foliage and red-streaked, golden flowers; and will grow +-2m tall if left un-pruned.

Propagation:

Propagation is usually by semi-ripe cuttings or air-layering; but plants also grow easilyfrom fresh seed, which should germinate with 3 to 6 weeks.

Warning:

In some parts of the world Allamanda are an invasive species, notably Allamanda cathartica in Queensland, Australia. They have become naturalized throughout the tropics where cutting has become ineffective as a control measure because cutting leads to vigorous coppicing.

Caution:

Care should be taken when pruning as all parts of the plant are toxic,and the milky sap can irritate the skin.

Restios often grow in mountainous areas  Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Restio's are a magnificent group of architectural plants that are set to join grasses and bamboos as the new stars of the garden. Restionaceae, or restio's as they are commonly called, are an ancient plant family, probably dating as far back as the end of the Cretaceous period some 60 million years ago. They are evergreen perennial, grass-like plants which occur mainly in the Southern Hemisphere; and can be found in Africa, South America, Australia and New Zealand. Of the approximately 400 species identified worldwide, about 330 occur only in South Africa; in the fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region. Protea, Erica and Restionaceae make up the three major groups identified with fynbos. After fires have raged through the fynbos, they are one of the first plants to regenerate from their underground rhizomes.

Restio's are related to sedges and grasses and vary greatly in height and spread, from 10cm up to 4m. In the wild they grow in sandy soil, close to water; alongside rivers and streams and in seasonal seepages, or where groundwater is present. Although the plants can grow in fairly wet conditions, they would not be suitable for a bog garden or at the edge of a pond, where the water is not moving underground.

Restio's do not attract many insects except for bees and ants because they are all wind pollinated, relying on the wind to carry the pollen from the male to the female plants. The seeds are black or very dark brown and on the outside of the seed is a protein-rich white part which is very attractive to ants. Once the seeds fall, they are immediately carried away by the ants to their nests. The ants eat away the protein, leaving the seed undamaged and safely stored away underground.

Restio similis NewPlant(Restio similis) Found from Caledon to Bredasdorp, this Restio will grow to a height of +-75cm but can spread up to 1.5m. The young plants are very striking with beautiful dark green stems which ripple in the wind. Dark brown seed heads are produced in summer, shedding masses of small greyish seeds. It is most effective in the garden if it is planted in groups.

(Restio brachiatus) This elegant restio occurs in Tulbagh; Paarl to Witteberg. It grows taller the closer to water it is planted and ideally reaches a height and spread of +-1.5m. It has a compact growth habit and produces finely divided greyish green stems, and small cream flowers in June. It is a wonderful contrast plant for the fynbos garden.

Uses:

The foliage of many species is exported globally for the cut flower industry and can be used fresh or dried.  There is a growing international market for these plants and the common names Rekoala and Bell Reed are used in the cut-flower industry of New Zealand. Only the finely branched stems are used and the most coveted part of the plant is the very beautiful young shoots, with their thick bamboo-like stems with distinct nodes, and cream to light green colour.

In the Garden:

Restio's are architecturally stunning plants with a huge range of form and colour, making them spectacular yet elegant feature plants which are used where a vertical accent plant is needed. They will bring a variety of shapes, textures and rich colours into your garden; ranging from a gorgeous golden-brown to chocolate and bronze, grey-green and silver. In a fynbos garden these plants are water-wise and can form the backbone of the garden, in between the much shorter-lived proteas and ericas.

Cultivation/Propagation:

Although they love growing near water, restio's can be planted in ordinary garden beds, as long as they are watered regularly. If there is insufficient water the plants become smaller with a yellowish look. The smaller species grow well in pots and are recommended for smaller gardens, while the taller species will form large dense clumps which are magnificent if used on large properties.

The best time for planting restio's in fynbos areas is from April to May, just before the winter rains arrive. The plants will initially be a bit slow growing, but will have formed a handsome plant and started flowering two to three years after sowing. The plants renew themselves every year by producing a new crop of stems in the centre of the plant. The individual stems start to deteriorate during the third year, but by that time two new flushes of growth will already have appeared.

Like Proteas and Ericas, they prefer an open and well ventilated position in the garden; disliking small walled in areas where there is no breeze. They all thrive in full sun but will take some light shade. If they are planted and cared for correctly, restio's are very healthy, low maintenance plants, which look good all year round. They have almost no natural enemies and are virtually disease-free.

Naturally they thrive best in a frost-free Mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers, and cool wet winters; and in these regions they are wonderful water-wise plants, requiring minimal watering once established. Many restios are adaptable to cold conditions, and due to their growing popularity overseas they are being tested for their frost hardiness. Many varieties have proved to be remarkably hardy, as long as their roots (rhizomes) are mulched very thickly in autumn to prevent them from freezing.

Although mature restio's can survive on very little water, newly planted specimens require regular irrigation for the first three months. After that a normal watering regime is best in order to provide lush growth and maintain the juvenile foliage over a longer period. They prefer sandy, acid to neutral soil that is very well-drained, but will adapt to most well-drained garden soils. Only a very few species will tolerate alkalinity; Elegia capensis, Elegia elephantinum, Elegia filacea, Elegia tectorum,  Thamnochortus pellucidus, and Thamnochortus insignis are known to tolerate alkaline soils

The plants are best grown from seed, which has a fairly good germination rate when treated with smoke or 'Instant Smoke Plus' seed primer. Sow seed into very well-drained soil and remember that about half of the seeds will not be viable, so the seed can be sown quite thickly. Keep the trays in full sun where there is plenty of air movement. The roots (rhizomes) resent disturbance but large clumps can be carefully removed and divided, by cutting the plants into large clumps. Try to keep disturbance to a minimum and replant the divided clumps immediately.

Fynbos seeds germinate significantly better when exposed to smoke from veld fires. Inside the seed packets of restios, you will find a piece of absorbent paper, impregnated with smoke based germination stimulants, similar to smoke from a real veld fire. Simply place the pink paper in a small amount of water. Place the seeds inside the water solution, making sure that all the seeds are covered. Soak the seeds in the solution for 24 hours before sowing.

Restio's respond well if fed with organic fertilizers like Seagro, Kelpak or Bounce Back during the growing season. If the plants are watered well but still become yellow, feed them with a high nitrogen organic fertiliser. Restio's are low-maintenance plants, requiring only regular removal of the brown, dead stems.

 Condensed Version:

Rhodocoma capensis. (Rhodocoma capensis) This elegant restio is one of the hardiest and most salt wind tolerant plants. It forms dense clumps of arching green culms with whorls of fine feathery foliage, and it can be found growing wild in damp places, from the Southern to the Eastern Cape. The plants will grow to a height of +-1.2 to 2m. It makes a wonderful accent plant in the garden and is also very effective if planted in groups, creating a 'savanna' type effect. It will grow in full sun or semi-shade and will thrive if it is watered often and is given ample amounts of well-balanced organic fertiliser. Good cut foliage and very decorative in large pots.

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Rhodocoma belongs to the Restionaceae family of plants. Restio's are a magnificent group of architectural plants that are set to join grasses and bamboos as the new stars of the garden.

Restionaceae, or restio's as they are commonly called, are an ancient plant family, probably dating as far back as the end of the Cretaceous period some 60 million years ago. They are evergreen perennial, grass-like plants which occur mainly in the Southern Hemisphere; and can be found in Africa, South America, Australia and New Zealand.

Of the approximately 400 species identified worldwide, about 330 occur only in South Africa; in the fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region. Protea, Erica and Restionaceae make up the three major groups identified with fynbos. After fires have raged through the fynbos, they are one of the first plants to regenerate from their underground rhizomes.

Restio's do not attract many insects except for bees and ants because they are all wind pollinated, relying on the wind to carry the pollen from the male to the female plants. The seeds are black or very dark brown and on the outside of the seed is a protein-rich white part which is very attractive to ants. Once the seeds fall, they are immediately carried away by the ants to their nests. The ants eat away the protein, leaving the seed undamaged and safely stored away underground.

Restio's are related to sedges and grasses and vary greatly in height and spread, from 10cm up to 4m. In the wild they grow in sandy soil, close to water; alongside rivers and streams and in seasonal seepages, or where groundwater is present. Although the plants can grow in fairly wet conditions, they would not be suitable for a bog garden or at the edge of a pond, where the water is not moving underground.

Uses:

The foliage of many species is exported globally for the cut flower industry and can be used fresh or dried.  There is a growing international market for these plants and the common names Rekoala and Bell Reed are used in the cut-flower industry of New Zealand. Only the finely branched stems are used and the most coveted part of the plant is the very beautiful young shoots, with their thick bamboo-like stems with distinct nodes, and cream to light green colour.

In the Garden:

Restio's are architecturally stunning plants with a huge range of form and colour, making them spectacular yet elegant feature plants which are used where a vertical accent plant is needed. They will bring a variety of shapes, textures and rich colours into your garden; ranging from a gorgeous golden-brown to chocolate and bronze, grey-green and silver. In a fynbos garden these plants are water-wise and can form the backbone of the garden, in between the much shorter-lived proteas and ericas.

Cultivation/Propagation:

Although they love growing near water, restio's can be planted in ordinary garden beds, as long as they are watered regularly. If there is insufficient water the plants become smaller with a yellowish look. The smaller species grow well in pots and are recommended for smaller gardens, while the taller species will form large dense clumps which are magnificent if used on large properties.

The best time for planting restio's in fynbos areas is from April to May, just before the winter rains arrive. The plants will initially be a bit slow growing, but will have formed a handsome plant and started flowering two to three years after sowing. The plants renew themselves every year by producing a new crop of stems in the centre of the plant. The individual stems start to deteriorate during the third year, but by that time two new flushes of growth will already have appeared.

Like Proteas and Ericas, they prefer an open and well ventilated position in the garden; disliking small walled in areas where there is no breeze. They all thrive in full sun but will take some light shade. If they are planted and cared for correctly, restio's are very healthy, low maintenance plants, which look good all year round. They have almost no natural enemies and are virtually disease-free.

Naturally they thrive best in a frost-free Mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers, and cool wet winters; and in these regions they are wonderful water-wise plants, requiring minimal watering once established. Many restios are adaptable to cold conditions, and due to their growing popularity overseas they are being tested for their frost hardiness. Many varieties have proved to be remarkably hardy, as long as their roots (rhizomes) are mulched very thickly in autumn to prevent them from freezing.

Although mature restio's can survive on very little water, newly planted specimens require regular irrigation for the first three months. After that a normal watering regime is best in order to provide lush growth and maintain the juvenile foliage over a longer period. They prefer sandy, acid to neutral soil that is very well-drained, but will adapt to most well-drained garden soils. Only a very few species will tolerate alkalinity; Elegia capensis, Elegia elephantinum, Elegia filacea, Elegia tectorum,  Thamnochortus pellucidus, and Thamnochortus insignis are known to tolerate alkaline soils.

The plants are best grown from seed, which has a fairly good germination rate when treated with smoke or 'Instant Smoke Plus' seed primer. Sow seed into very well-drained soil and remember that about half of the seeds will not be viable, so the seed can be sown quite thickly. Keep the trays in full sun where there is plenty of air movement. The roots (rhizomes) resent disturbance but large clumps can be carefully removed and divided, by cutting the plants into large clumps. Try to keep disturbance to a minimum and replant the divided clumps immediately.

Fynbos seeds germinate significantly better when exposed to smoke from veld fires. Inside the seed packets of restios, you will find a piece of absorbent paper, impregnated with smoke based germination stimulants, similar to smoke from a real veld fire. Simply place the pink paper in a small amount of water. Place the seeds inside the water solution, making sure that all the seeds are covered. Soak the seeds in the solution for 24 hours before sowing.

Restio's respond well if fed with organic fertilizers like Seagro, Kelpak or Bounce Back during the growing season. If the plants are watered well but still become yellow, feed them with a high nitrogen organic fertiliser. Restio's are low-maintenance plants, requiring only regular removal of the brown, dead stems.

 Condensed Version:

Elegia equisetacea. Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.za(Elegia equiseteacea) Horsetail Restio, Besemriet

This species is common and widespread from the Cederberg in the Western Cape to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, and occurs from near sea level to the top of the mountains. It is very similar to E. Capensis, except that the leaves emerge from one side of the culm only, giving the appearance of a horse's tail, hence its common name. The species name equisetacea also means horsetails in Latin. The plants are shorter than E.capensis, +-1.5m, and more bushy. It produces large golden seed heads from March to September and the seeds start dropping in November. The dry winged seeds and sheaths make a delightful rustling sound in the wind. It is suitable for pot culture and the plants will adapt to a large variety of soil types. The plant will tolerate frost if the roots are thickly mulched in autumn. It has been known to survive temperatures as low as -7°C.

(Elegia racemosa) Fluisterriet, Rustling Reed

 This attractive restio is widespread in the Cape floristic regions, and especially in the wetter Outeniqua Mountains. The plants produce beautiful golden flower heads reaching up to 1.5m tall.  The large bracts make a striking display during flowering and create a pleasant rustling sound in the wind. Excellent if used as an accent plant in large clay pots, or in the garden. Enjoys rich organic soils and prefers a well drained but moist area in the garden.

Elegia tectorum. Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.za(Elegia tectorum) (=Chondropetalum tectorum)  Cape Thatching Reed, Dakriet

The Cape Thatching Reed grows wild in the Western and Eastern Cape; extending from Clanwilliam in the Western Cape to Port Elizabeth in the East. It can be found growing in coastal forelands, in marshes and seeps on deep sand. The plant will reach 1 to 1.5m in height with a spread of 2 to 3m. This very handsome, fast growing species makes a striking accent plant and grows well in large pots. The flowering bracts are compact and long lasting, and the black seed heads are very striking. The specific name "tectorum" means roofing and this Restio has been used as thatching material, along with other species. It will grow in any soil type and will tolerate cold temperatures if the roots are thickly mulched in autumn. It has reportedly survived temperatures as low as -6°C

(Elegia ebracteatum) (=Chondropetalum ebracteatum)

This is a slender and elegant plant, which is similar to C. tectorum, but is smaller with a more compact growth habit.  It is most effective if planted in groups in the garden, for a massed effect. It also makes an unusual and handsome container plant.

(Elegia grandispicata)

This large tufted plant is widespread in the Cape floristic region and especially in the Outeniqua Mountains. It can produce stems up to 1.5m tall and the culms are bluish green and rough textured. It enjoys rich organic soils and prefers a well drained but moist area in the garden.  Flowering is erratic.

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Elegia belongs to the Restionaceae family of plants. Restio's are a magnificent group of architectural plants that are set to join grasses and bamboos as the new stars of the garden. Restionaceae, or restio's as they are commonly called, are an ancient plant family, probably dating as far back as the end of the Cretaceous period some 60 million years ago. They are evergreen perennial, grass-like plants which occur mainly in the Southern Hemisphere; and can be found in Africa, South America, Australia and New Zealand. Of the approximately 400 species identified worldwide, about 330 occur only in South Africa; in the fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region. Protea, Erica and Restionaceae make up the three major groups identified with fynbos. After fires have raged through the fynbos, they are one of the first plants to regenerate from their underground rhizomes.

Restio's are related to sedges and grasses and vary greatly in height and spread, from 10cm up to 4m. In the wild they grow in sandy soil, close to water; alongside rivers and streams and in seasonal seepages, or where groundwater is present. Although the plants can grow in fairly wet conditions, they would not be suitable for a bog garden or at the edge of a pond, where the water is not moving underground.

Restio's do not attract many insects except for bees and ants because they are all wind pollinated, relying on the wind to carry the pollen from the male to the female plants. The seeds are black or very dark brown and on the outside of the seed is a protein-rich white part which is very attractive to ants. Once the seeds fall, they are immediately carried away by the ants to their nests. The ants eat away the protein, leaving the seed undamaged and safely stored away underground.

Uses:

The foliage of many species is exported globally for the cut flower industry and can be used fresh or dried.  There is a growing international market for these plants and the common names Rekoala and Bell Reed are used in the cut-flower industry of New Zealand. Only the finely branched stems are used and the most coveted part of the plant is the very beautiful young shoots, with their thick bamboo-like stems with distinct nodes, and cream to light green colour.

In the Garden:

Restio's are architecturally stunning plants with a huge range of form and colour, making them spectacular yet elegant feature plants which are used where a vertical accent plant is needed. They will bring a variety of shapes, textures and rich colours into your garden; ranging from a gorgeous golden-brown to chocolate and bronze, grey-green and silver. In a fynbos garden these plants are water-wise and can form the backbone of the garden, in between the much shorter-lived proteas and ericas.

Cultivation/Propagation:

Although they love growing near water, restio's can be planted in ordinary garden beds, as long as they are watered regularly. If there is insufficient water the plants become smaller with a yellowish look. The smaller species grow well in pots and are recommended for smaller gardens, while the taller species will form large dense clumps which are magnificent if used on large properties.

The best time for planting restio's in fynbos areas is from April to May, just before the winter rains arrive. The plants will initially be a bit slow growing, but will have formed a handsome plant and started flowering two to three years after sowing. The plants renew themselves every year by producing a new crop of stems in the centre of the plant. The individual stems start to deteriorate during the third year, but by that time two new flushes of growth will already have appeared.

Like Proteas and Ericas, they prefer an open and well ventilated position in the garden; disliking small walled in areas where there is no breeze. They all thrive in full sun but will take some light shade. If they are planted and cared for correctly, restio's are very healthy, low maintenance plants, which look good all year round. They have almost no natural enemies and are virtually disease-free.

Naturally they thrive best in a frost-free Mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers, and cool wet winters; and in these regions they are wonderful water-wise plants, requiring minimal watering once established. Many restios are adaptable to cold conditions, and due to their growing popularity overseas they are being tested for their frost hardiness. Many varieties have proved to be remarkably hardy, as long as their roots (rhizomes) are mulched very thickly in autumn to prevent them from freezing.

Although mature restio's can survive on very little water, newly planted specimens require regular irrigation for the first three months. After that a normal watering regime is best in order to provide lush growth and maintain the juvenile foliage over a longer period. They prefer sandy, acid to neutral soil that is very well-drained, but will adapt to most well-drained garden soils. Only a very few species will tolerate alkalinity; Elegia capensis, Elegia elephantinum, Elegia filacea, Elegia tectorum,  Thamnochortus pellucidus, and Thamnochortus insignis are known to tolerate alkaline soils.

The plants are best grown from seed, which has a fairly good germination rate when treated with smoke or 'Instant Smoke Plus' seed primer. Sow seed into very well-drained soil and remember that about half of the seeds will not be viable, so the seed can be sown quite thickly. Keep the trays in full sun where there is plenty of air movement. The roots (rhizomes) resent disturbance but large clumps can be carefully removed and divided, by cutting the plants into large clumps. Try to keep disturbance to a minimum and replant the divided clumps immediately.

Fynbos seeds germinate significantly better when exposed to smoke from veld fires. Inside the seed packets of restios, you will find a piece of absorbent paper, impregnated with smoke based germination stimulants, similar to smoke from a real veld fire. Simply place the pink paper in a small amount of water. Place the seeds inside the water solution, making sure that all the seeds are covered. Soak the seeds in the solution for 24 hours before sowing.

Restio's respond well if fed with organic fertilizers like Seagro, Kelpak or Bounce Back during the growing season. If the plants are watered well but still become yellow, feed them with a high nitrogen organic fertiliser. Restio's are low-maintenance plants, requiring only regular removal of the brown, dead stems.

See under Large Shrubs

Leucospermum 'Yellow Rocket' Picture courtesy MadibriCondensed Version:

Although pincushion proteas are part of the Cape fynbos floral kingdom they are not very temperamental, and as long as they are planted and cared for correctly they thrive in many other provinces of South AfricaThey adapt easily to the summer rainfall regions, and once the plants are established they will tolerate moderate frost.

Before deciding which pincushions you wish to plant, visit your local garden centre first for the best advice on which species or cultivars will do best in your region. Some pincushion flowers are hardier to frost than others, and although most require slightly acid soil, there are a few which will grow in alkaline soils. And although the majority need light, well-drained soil, some will grow in clay which drains well.

Read the individual plant descriptions below for more detailed information on the various species.

In the winter rainfall regions pincushions are planted out just before the autumn rains arrive, but inland it is best to plant in spring or early summer when all danger of frost is over and just before the summer rains arrive. Young plants will need frost protection until they are established, cover.

Pincushions require soil with perfect drainage, and which is also light and well-aerated.  They do not do well in very heavy clay soils with poor drainage, so if your soil is less than perfect, try growing them in containers or raised beds. Most species also prefer acidic soil, so if your soil is not acidic, add generous quantities of a specialist protea potting soil to the planting beds.

Never plant deeper than the depth the plant was growing in its original nursery bag or pot, and plant firmly in the ground, watering well afterwards. Water moderately but regularly for the first two years of growth, after which they should be well established and drought tolerant.

Pincushion proteas also require full sun to grow and bloom well, but they also like to have a cool root system, so grouping them together, or combining them with other suitable fynbos plants will help shade the soil and roots. These plants love a lot of wind circulation around their leaves and cannot be grown in walled in areas with little or no air flow.

Water young plants immediately after planting and regularly thereafter to keep the soil damp but not soggy. When grown inland ensure that they are watered regularly from autumn to spring and that they are planted in extremely well-drained soil.

Because garden soils are generally quite fertile, it may not be necessary to feed plants growing in garden beds at all, and because fynbos plants are very sensitive to many fertilisers, never use chemical fertilisers, and especially those with a high phosphate or nitrogen content. Also, do not use bone meal, mushroom compost, or any kraal manures when planting.

Young plants and those growing in pots will need feeding, and fynbos growers recommend that plants fed with organic fertilisers derived from fish emulsion or seaweed, diluted at half the normal recommended strength to help them along. For fully gown specimens they recommend feeding twice a year, in spring and autumn with organic fertilisers like Seagro, Bio Ganic All Purpose, and Bio Ocean.

Apply organic mulches such as leaf litter, rough compost, or milled bark chips, around their roots. Mulch helps to suppress weed growth and keep the soil cool.

Pruning is not necessary unless the bush needs to be shaped. Pruning to shape the plant is generally done in late spring, directly after flowering. After removing all the spent flowers, remove any weak or unproductive stems from the middle of the plant, and also  remove any side growth growing downwards or lying on the soil.

Leucospermum' Annamarie' Picture courtesy MadibriFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

After the winter rains the fynbos of the Cape floristic region bursts into life in late winter and spring with a diversity of stunning blooms full of busy pollinators. And this wonderful display of colour can continue for many months. Some of the most spectacular of these spring bloomers are our beloved pincushions with their strange looking flowers that never fail to intrigue, and one might be forgiven for thinking they come from outer space! They are produced in dense inflorescences which have large numbers of prominent styles, each thickened at the apex to form the stigma. The flowers look rather like a whole lot of pins stuck into a pincushion, hence the inspiration for its common name, "pincushion flower".

Leucospermum leaves are spirally arranged and are tough and sometimes leathery. And, when not in bloom, you can tell them apart from other members of the Protea family by their 'toothed' leaves. The small indentations with raised edges are often red in colour, and occur along the margins, or at least at the leaf tips.

Leucospermum is a genus of about 50 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae. They are admired for their ‘other worldly’ beauty and the fine show they put on in gardens around the world. The long-stemmed cut flowers last extremely well on the plant and in the vase, and are cherished by florists for their unusual form.

Most species are native to the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where they hug the coastline and extend up the west coast to Vanrhynsdorp. Their range also spreads eastwards to Port Elizabeth. Two species occur outside of South Africa, one in Swaziland and the other in Zimbabwe. In the wild they can be found growing in a variety of habitats, including scrub, forest edges, and mountain slopes.

The Cape flora thrives under highly variable climatic conditions. A maximum temperature of 32°C is not uncommon during the summer months, particularly in the Sandveld and Cederberg regions. The mountain ranges are cooler in summer with the effects of prevailing winds, mists and cloud, and in winter snow falls regularly, and the minimum temperatures occasionally fall below 0°C, but only for short periods of time. 

Leucospermum 'High Gold' Picture courtesy MadibriMany Proteaceae occur in regions where the rainfall is low, varying between 180mm to 2 500mm per annum, and for this reason you will find that many species form large colonies in depressions, gullies, valleys, and on south-facing slopes, where water seeps deep down into the soil, and which the plants utilise during the dry months. Protea cynaroides is a good example of this, because although it occurs where the annual rainfall varies from 300mm to 1 500mm, it survives by colonising areas where there is abundant underground seepage.

Although there are a number of exceptions, essentially the Proteaceae family are social plants, with many of the species growing in close proximity to one another, forming close-knit communities, and putting on a spectacular massed show when in full bloom. The individual plants protect one another from prevailing winds, and the dense cover they create shades the roots to keep them cool, reduces water evaporation, and protects the soil from compaction.

This family of plants also grows in variable soils that are generally poor. In the mountainous regions they occur where there is a predominance of Table Mountain sandstone, and those which grow in close proximity to the coastline, thrive in virtually pure sand. Certain species even flourish on Bokkeveld shale which has a high content of clay. Generally the soils are on the acid side, but in a few areas the soils are alkaline, with pH as high as 8.0.

Typically Leucospermum are evergreen shrubs, but some species are groundcovers, and some are even small trees, but these are rare. The shrubs are usually neatly rounded in shape and free-flowering, bearing a flower head at the end of each branch. The flowers are not self-pollinating and produce an abundance of nectar to attract pollinators like insects, the Protea scarab beetle and many insect and nectar eating birds, including the Cape sugar bird and three species of sunbirds.

Leucospermum 'Scarlet Ribbon' Picture courtesy MadibriThe scientific name Leucospermum means "white seed" and was given because the fruit, which is technically a nut, is very smooth and shiny, and usually a whitish-grey. The fruits ripen much more quickly than those of most other members of the Protea family and are released upon ripening. In the wild the nut-like fruit is collected by ants and stored underground in their nests. This relationship is called “myrmecochorous”, meaning there is an ant-plant mutualism which disperses the seeds.

The ants collect the seeds because they have an appendage called an “elaiosome” which ants love to eat, so they eagerly carry the seeds to their nests. They will remain there, safe from fires and predators, germinating again only after a fire has destroyed the mature plants and returned the nutrients back to the soil. This symbiotic relationship benefits both - the ants are fed and the seeds are safely dispersed and planted, waiting until the timing is perfect for them to germinate and continue this beautiful cycle of life.  The Afrikaans common name “luisiesbos”' is named after the appearance of this elaiosome, which resembles lice, or fat ticks.

Pincushions have become an increasingly significant export cut flower crop in several countries apart from its native South Africa. There are many named cultivars, and intensive breeding programs in South Africa and Hawaii are producing spectacular hybrids, many with disease-resistant characteristics. Available cultivars range from dramatic groundcovers to long-stemmed flowers produced on large shrubs.

Species like Leucospermum cordifolium, Leucospermum tottum, Leucospermum reflexum, Leucospermum lineare, and Leucospermum glabrum have been widely crossed with each other to produce a wide range of lovely modern hybrids for the home gardener, many of which are a lot more compact and can be grown in pots, enabling more gardeners to grow pincushions.

Leucospermum 'Goldie' Picture courtesy MadibriHowever, because many gardeners still prefer to plant non-hybridised species, and many indigenous nurseries will carry them, the above mentioned species are described below first, before the more compact hybrids.

Visit an accredited garden centre to purchase your pincushion proteas, and when purchasing your plants, remember that smaller plants will transplant easier than very large specimens.

Pincushion, Speldekussing (Leucospermum cordifolium)

Leucospermum cordifolium is one of the most decorative of the pincushions and makes a fine show in the garden. The long-stemmed cut flowers last extremely well on the plant and in the vase and are cherished by florists around the world for their unusual form. Nurseries in Zimbabwe, Israel, California, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand produce vast quantities of cut flowers for the world markets from hybrids and cultivars of this plant, in colours ranging from pale yellow and orange to deep orange-red and orange. The flowers can appear at any time from late winter to early spring and summer, and a mature plant can carry as many as 300 or more flowers at one time.

Click here for more information and to see beautiful photos of this pincushion at PlantZAfrica, a great resource for indigenous plants.

Naturally it occurs only in the winter rainfall region of in the South Western Cape, in a fairly small area from Kogelberg to Soetanysberg near Bredasdorp, where it thrives in the wet winters and hot, dry summers of this region, growing on slopes close to the ocean, in gravely, nutrient poor, acidic soils.

This pincushion makes an excellent focal point in a large garden or park, and has great impact if planted in groups.  When young it has a rounded, spreading shape, growing about 1.25 to 1.5m tall and 1.5 to 2m wide, although mature specimens may spread 4m wide. The stems tend to curve upward, giving the whole plant a rather elegant form.

This pincushion is hardy to moderate frost once established but needs protection when young. It likes well drained acid soil, and will not thrive in very alkaline soil.

Speldekussing, Vuurhoutjies, Matches Pincushion (Leucospermum tottum)

Leucospermum tottum is a handsome, much branched shrub which produces an abundance of pale pink to salmon-orange flowers, which give the impression of growing more or less horizontally at the end of the branches. The flowering season is slightly later than that of Leucospermum cordifolium, starting in mid-October and lasting until the end of December. The flowers are excellent for flower arranging, but do not stand up well to being packed in boxes, so are not great for exporting.

Click here for more information and to see beautiful photos of this pincushion at PlantZAfrica, a great resource for indigenous plants.

It occurs only in the winter rainfall areas of the south-western Cape, from the Cederberg to above Villiersdorp, and particularly in the mountainous regions where it can be found growing on sandstone slopes at altitudes between 300 and 2000m, in acid, nutrient poor soils.

This is a very attractive shrub, growing to a height of about 1.5m, and when provided with enough space, will grow to a diameter of 2m. The plants are suitable for planting in the foreground of a large border. A good plant combination that will provide a long period of colourful flowers could include: Leucospermum tottum planted with Leucospermum cordifolium, and the Veerkoppie, Featherhead (Phylica). Click here to read more about the featherhead.

This pincushion is hardy to moderate frost once established but needs protection when young. It likes well drained acid soil, and will not thrive in very alkaline soil.

Outeniqua Pincushion, Outeniqua Speldekussing (Leucospermum glabrum)

This prolific flowering pincushion blooms from late spring to early summer, August to October, producing exceptionally showy crimson flower heads that show up beautifully through the silky white hairs, which cover the buds. Many lovely hybrid varieties are available for gardeners, and they are widely used in the cut flower industry worldwide. The Outeniqua pincushion has a single stem with a thick trunk, growing quite vigorously to form a neat, rounded shrub, about 1 to 2m tall with an equal spread. The lush foliage is a dark glossy green, and the new growth is a soft red blush.

It is more frost tolerant than other pincushions, although it is wise to protect small plants until they are established. It also tolerates a wider range of soils, growing well in rich, well-drained pea,t to sandy soils.

Click here for more information and to see beautiful photos of the Outeniqua Pincushion at PlantZAfrica, a great resource for indigenous plants.

Its Conservation status is Endangered (Red Data List October 2007) and it occurs only in the Outeniqua and Tsitsikama Mountains at altitudes of 150 to 500m, where it can be found growing in isolated stands on the cooler southern slopes.

The Outeniqua pincushion is a wonderful low maintenance, water-wise, garden plant which blooms prolifically and is known for its hardiness.  It can be used as filler shrub or as a beautiful, stand-alone specimen plant, and is perfect planted between large rocks and in open bed plantings. With its medium height, it makes a good mid-layer planting, and if planted with other fynbos species such as Restio, Buchu and Erica, it makes a lovely display.

Rocket Pincushion, Perdekop (Leucospermum reflexum)

When in full bloom rocket pincushions will definitely be a talking point in the garden with their unusual shape  and fiery, deep orange to crimson, or clear yellow flower heads. Because the styles of the young flowers curve to start with and then bend back completely toward the stem as they mature, they have been likened to fireworks or a rocket with a fiery tail trailing behind it. The Afrikaans name “perdekop” is also a good one as the mature flower head looks like the head of a horse with its mane blowing back in the wind. Flowering is from spring to midsummer, August to December.

Click here for more information and to see beautiful photos of the Rocket Pincushion at PlantZAfrica, a great resource for indigenous plants.

Leucospermum reflexum is a large rounded shrub up which grows +- 4m tall with an equal spread. The leaves are a lovely silvery-grey and covered with dense grey hairs. It is recorded as having a threatened status of NT (near threatened) at present.

The plants occur in the Cederberg, from Wuppertal to Pakhuis, and the yellow variety Leucospermum reflexum var. luteum, comes from the Heuningvlei area in the Cederberg. The plants usually occur in groups of a few hundred, at altitudes ranging between 1 000 to 2 000m. In summer temperatures can soar to well over 30°C, and in winter they can drop below zero. These areas are also very dry and arid, but stands of plants can also be found growing on sandstone soils near streams and other water sources.

Rocket pincushions are valuable additions to large gardens or parks, and are really attractive feature plants, and valuable background plants in large shrub borders, where their beautiful grey foliage will help highlight other plants growing nearby, even when the plants are not in bloom. They are excellent cut flowers, and their foliage is used to add impact to any arrangement.

The rocket pincushion can be grown in most areas of South Africa as long as the soil is well-drained and on the acid side, and they receive water during the winter months. They can tolerate a fair bit of cold and can even tolerate some frost once established. They will not, however, grow in areas which are hot and humid, as they are very prone to fungal problems under these conditions.

Needle-leaf Pincushion, Smalblaarspeldekussing, Luisiesbos (Leucospermum lineare)

Leucospermum lineare is a prized cut flower which has been extensively hybridized and crossed with Leucospermum tottum, Leucospermum vestitum and Leucospermum cordifolium to produce an astonishing variety of hybrids that are tough and easy to grow in your garden.

Leucospermum lineare is a medium-sized erect shrub reaching 2m tall, with large, bright orange flower heads. The yellow-flowering form has a sprawling habit and grows +-2m tall with a spread of 2 to 3m.  Both have attractive, long green leaves, and flowering occurs mainly in spring (September and October), but odd flowers do appear anytime from winter to mid-summer (July to January).

Both the orange and the yellow forms are ideal for larger gardens and informal flower borders, and because the yellow flowered form is sprawling, it is wonderful cascading down low walls and banks, or very large, tall pots.

Click here for more information and to see beautiful photos of the Needle-leaf Pincushion at PlantZAfrica, a great resource for indigenous plants.

The needle-leaf pincushion grows wild mostly in Boland Granite Fynbos at altitudes of 300 to
1 000m. The soils are heavy clay and the average annual rainfall is only 985mm, with mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures ranging between 26.6°C and 5.9°C. Frost is rarely experienced, occurring on only about two or three days per year. The yellow form is fairly common, occurring from Bain's Kloof through to the Du Toitskloof and the Hottentots Holland Mountains.

Leucospermum lineare is listed as Vulnerable. The population is decreasing due to invasive alien vegetation, harvesting of cut flowers and habitat loss due to land transformation.

Plant out into the garden at the start of the rainy season, and because granite soils are richer in nutrients than sandstone soils, if your soil is very poor, incorporate a good amount of specialist compost for fynbos at planting.

 Leucospermum 'Solei'R Picture courtesy Madibri

Hopefully some of the brilliant pincushion cultivars documented below will inspire you to grow pincushions in your garden, they’re really worth it!

 

Leucospermum 'Annamarie' (Reflexum Hybrid)

Annamarie is a lovely light orange cut flower with a long flowering season, from September to October. Once established it is very hardy to frost and is also drought tolerant. It makes an excellent landscape plant for large gardens, growing +-1.5m tall with an equal spread. It also does well in large containers.

Leucospermum'Goldie’ (Cuneiform)

This rich yellow pincushion is a good cut flower which starts blooming later, from October to November, and is both frost and drought tolerant once established. Because it is smaller growing, +-1m with an equal spread, it is suitable for smaller gardens and does very well in a large pot.

Leucospermum 'High Gold' (Cordifolium x Patersonii)

This bright yellow pincushion is available as a cut flower and blooms for a long time, from August to October. It grows +- 1.5m tall with an equal spread, and is frost and drought tolerant once established. It is a strong grower and good for the garden or as a container plant for a sunny patio.

Leucospermum 'Scarlet Ribbon' (Tottum x Glabrum)

Scarlet Ribbon is a vigorous grower and very floriferous, with gorgeous red cut flowers from September to October. It is both frost and drought tolerant once established, and grows +-1.5m tall with an equal spread. It grows very well in large containers.

Leucospermum 'Soleil' (Cordifolium x Glabrum)

Soleil has unusual yellow to apricot coloured cut flowers from July to October and grows quickly to +-1.5m tall with an equal spread. It does well in containers and is both frost and drought tolerant once established.

Leucospermum 'Succession' (Cordifolium x Lineare)

This is one of the best salmon-pink pincushions available as a cut flower, blooming for a long time, from June to October. It grows +-1.5m tall with an equal spread, does very well as a container plant, and is frost and drought tolerant once established.

Leucospermum 'Tango' (Glabrum x Lineare)

This bright orange-red pincushion with long stems is available as a cut flower. It is a good early flowering variety, blooming for a long time from July to September. It grows +-2m tall with a spread of 1.5m and does very well in large containers. Once established, it is both frost and drought tolerant.

Leucospermum 'Yellow Rocket' (Reflexum)

This lovely pincushion has soft yellow flowers on long stems, which contrast perfectly with its grey leaves. It is available as a cut flower and blooms for a long time (August to October). It is tall, +-2.5m, with a spread of +-1.5m and is both frost and drought tolerant once established. Although tall, it does well in a container.

Proteas are ideally suited to low-maintenance and water-wise gardens, and are indispensable in the fynbos garden. In the wildlife garden they are a magnet for nectar feeding birds such as sugarbirds and sunbirds, which pollinate the flowers. Bees and beetles like scarab beetles and protea beetles, as well as a myriad of other insects are also attracted to the blooms, which in turn, attract insect eating birds.

Leucospermum' Succession' Picture courtesy MadibriCultivation:

Although pincushion proteas are part of the Cape fynbos floral kingdom they are not very temperamental, and as long as they are planted and cared for correctly they thrive in many  other provinces of South Africa,  and around the world. They adapt easily to the summer rainfall regions, and once the plants are established they will tolerate moderate frost.

Before deciding which pincushions you wish to plant, visit your local garden centre first for the best advice on which species or cultivars will do best in your region. Some pincushion flowers are hardier to frost than others, and although most require slightly acid soil, there are a few which will grow in alkaline soils. And although the majority need light, well-drained soil, some will grow in clay which drains well. Read the individual plant descriptions above for more detailed information on the various species.

In the winter rainfall regions pincushions are planted out just before the autumn rains arrive, but inland it is best to plant in spring or early summer when all danger of frost is over and just before the summer rains arrive. Young plants will need frost protection until they are established, cover, mulch the soil, and keep the plants dry, during long, cold snaps, only watering moderately in between.

One of the most important factors to consider before planting pincushions is that they require soil with perfect drainage, and which is also light and well-aerated.  They do not do well in very heavy clay soils with poor drainage, so if your soil is less than perfect, try growing them in containers or raised beds. Most species also prefer acidic soil, so if your soil is not acidic, add generous quantities of a specialist protea potting soil to the planting beds.

If your soil is heavy but still drains quite well you can improve it to plant pincushions, but this must be done correctly. Simply filling a single planting hole with compost and planting is not the right thing to do, because the compost will form a reservoir for water to stand in, and this increases the chance of root rot. Instead, prepare an entire little bed for your plant, thoroughly digging in generous quantities of a specialist protea soil mix, and even some gypsum and washed river sand to break up the clay.

Whether your soil is heavy or not, it is advisable to always prepare a small bed for planting rather than a single planting hole, after all your pincushion can live for a quite a long time, so it’s best to give it a good start. Once the bed is nicely dug over with its additives well mixed into the original soil, dig a planting hole at least twice the size of the container the plant came in, and transplant carefully so as not to damage the roots. Never plant deeper than the depth the plant was growing in its original nursery bag or pot, and plant firmly in the ground, watering well afterwards. Water moderately but regularly for the first two years of growth, after which they should be well established and drought tolerant.

Pincushion proteas also require full sun to grow and bloom well, but they also like to have a cool root system, so grouping them together, or combining them with other suitable fynbos plants will help shade the soil and roots. Planting a permanent groundcover around the plants when they are still young, one which can be left to grow undisturbed will also keep the roots cool, or you can just mulch the soil well.

Another important point to remember is that these plants love a lot of wind circulation around their leaves and cannot be grown in walled in areas with little or no air flow. 

All proteas have what is called a “proteoid” root system, and plants with this root system form clusters of closely spaced short lateral rootlets which form a mat about 2 to 5cm thick just beneath the leaf litter. This type of root system allows the plants to grow in soil that isn’t rich in nutrients. For this reason proteas resent disturbance of any kind, so never cultivate around their roots. Weeds need to be pulled out gently by hand, and the plants must be sited in a part of the garden where they can be left undisturbed.

Water young plants immediately after planting and regularly thereafter to keep the soil damp but not soggy. When grown inland ensure that they are watered regularly from autumn to spring and that they are planted in extremely well-drained soil. Most garden soils are richer than the soils on which the plants grow in the wild, and in these loamy type garden soils watering two or three times a week in hot weather should be enough. However, young plants growing in sandy soil, or those being cultivated in pots, will need water every day or two. Consider installing a drip irrigation system to water your protea collection. Watering at soil level is much better than overhead irrigation, as wet leaves are more susceptible to diseases.

Because our garden soils are generally quite fertile, it may not be necessary to feed plants growing in garden beds at all, and because fynbos plants are very sensitive to many fertilisers, never use chemical fertilisers, and especially those with a high phosphate or nitrogen content. Also, do not use bone meal, mushroom compost, or any kraal manures when planting.

Young plants and those growing in pots will need feeding, and fynbos growers recommend that plants fed with organic fertilisers derived from fish emulsion or seaweed, diluted at half the normal recommended strength to help them along. For fully gown specimens they recommend feeding twice a year, in spring and autumn with organic fertilisers like Seagro, Bio Ganic All Purpose, and Bio Ocean.

Apply organic mulches such as leaf litter, rough compost, or milled bark chips, around their roots. Never use manure. Pine bark, or pine needles are acidic and especially beneficial. These will break down slowly and feed the plant the natural way. Apply the mulch regularly, but do not make it too thick, and keep it well away from the stems of the plant.  Mulch will also help to suppress weed growth and keep the soil cool.

Leucospermum 'Tango' Picture courtesy MadibriGrowing pincushions in pots:

If you don’t have space, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy these beautiful flowers, because many grow happily in large pots, and all you need is full sun for most of the day.

Pincushions grow well in large containers but it is vital that you use a top-quality soil with excellent drainage, like bark based potting soils, or a specialist protea potting soil. Position the pot in a well-ventilated, sunny position, and ensure that the container has sufficient drainage holes. Cover the bottom with gravel before filling it with soil. Remove the plant from its container and plant without disturbing the root ball. Compact the soil firmly around the plant and mulch with bark chips, keeping them away from the stems, and water well.

Potted specimens will need more frequent watering than those growing in the garden. When you do water, water deeply, as frequent light sprinklings are not beneficial. Also, if you are using drip trays, ensure that the pot is standing on top of a layer of gravel or on ‘pot feet’, and not in a tray filled with water, as this can cause root rot. Potted proteas will benefit from an occasional feeding with organic fertilisers like Seagro, Bio Ganic All Purpose, and Bio Ocean.

Pruning:

Pruning is not necessary unless the bush needs to be shaped, as this plant normally deadheads itself and the new branches then grow up from the position below the old flower head. However, because pincushions can become fairly large shrubs, depending on the species or hybrid grown, producing many spreading side branches which carry the blooms at their tips, to keep your plant neat and healthy you may need to do some basic pruning.

Regularly cutting the flowers for the vase is a way of pruning, but when cutting leave a piece of stem with healthy leaves, about 10 to 15cm long on the plant. Cuts where there are no leaves will simply cause die-back of the remaining portion of the branch. If you use this technique when pruning out the spent flowers as well, you will regularly be pruning your plant anyway.

Pruning to shape the plant is generally done in late spring, directly after flowering. After removing all the spent flowers, remove any weak or unproductive stems from the middle of the plant to allow for more airflow and light to enter the centre of the plant. This will also help to prevent pest and disease infestation. Also remove any side growth growing downwards or lying on the soil.

Propagation:

Leucospermum can be propagated by seed or from cuttings. PlantZAfrica has detailed instruction on how to propagate the various species. Click here to find out more.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

The following can cause pincushions to flower poorly: Low light levels; Pruning too late in summer; Vigorous vegetative growth caused by high nitrogen levels; Too much water; Day length – long, warm days followed by shorter days with low temperatures act as a signal for flower initiation.

Pests are not too much of a problem, but if air flow and circulation are not sufficient, mealy bug and scale may appear. Insect pests can be controlled with either a systemic or full cover spray developed for that particular pest.

Fungal infections can be a problem when temperatures rise above 18°C and the relative humidity is above 75%. These conditions are probably the severest limiting factor as to where pincushions will grow well. Good air circulation is the best preventative measure for fungal problems, but it may also be necessary, depending on weather conditions, to use an organic foliar fungicide as a preventative measure rather than as a curative one.

Pincushions are very sensitive to the fungal disease Phytophthora cinnamomeum. Phytopthora is a soil-borne fungus that affects most members of the protea family. Stems wilt and plants turn brown very quickly. Unfortunately, by the time plants show signs of this disease, it is too late to save the plant, and it is best to remove and destroy them to stop the infection spreading.

Click here for more detailed information on problems, pests and diseases affecting Proteas.

Hamelia patens at Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Maui, Hawaii. Picture courtesy Forest and Kim Starr. See their flickr linkCondensed Version:

The gorgeous firebush usually bears both flowers and fruit at the same time, and has no dormant period, growing and producing flowers and berries all year round. Even the flower stems are an attractive red, contrasting beautifully with the bright green leaves; and in autumn the foliage changes to a striking blood-red colour.  The firebush is a soft-stemmed to semi-woody, evergreen perennial shrub which responds well to pruning, but if left unpruned, and under optimal conditions, can grow 4 to 5m tall. Usually it stays much smaller, growing 2.4 to 3m tall and 1.2 to 1.8m wide.

The long tubular, reddish-orange or scarlet flowers hang from the plant in tassel-like, branched clusters. The clusters of juicy, edible fruits are showy, and each berry has many small seeds; ripening from green to yellow, then red, and finally black.

Because it responds well to pruning and can be kept smaller, it is great for small gardens. It is widely used as a hedge or screen and is often planted in mass plantings and borders, mixed with other shrubs. The firebush also does well in containers where it can be placed on a patio in summer and brought inside to a sunny location during the winter.

The firebush is a tropical to subtropical plant that is tender to frost. In cold climates it is often grown as a summer annual, where under these short growing conditions it remains a dwarf, about 60cm tall. In frost-free regions it is wonderfully adaptable, growing in hot and dry climates, as well as hot and humid climates, inland and at the coast. Although the plant thrives in full sun, it will take some shade - in too much shade it can become leggy and will not flower as well. It can tolerate many types of soils as long as it has good drainage. Water regularly during dry spells, but avoid overwatering. To keep the show going, feed every 6 to 8 weeks with a fertiliser for flowering plants. Since it has no dormant season, pruning can be done at any time.

Hamelia patens fruit at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. Picture courtesy Forest and Kim Starr - see their flickr pageFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

The firebush is a reliable tropical plant that has found its way into many a landscape because of its  proven drought  and soil tolerance – it can basically grow anywhere!  It is native to the American subtropics and tropics, ranging from the gulf states of Mexico, South Florida, the West Indies, and Central and South America, as far south as Argentina. It is a member of the Rubiaceae family, and other notable members of this family include Ixora, Gardenia, Pentas, Quinine and Coffee.

The gorgeous firebush usually bears both flowers and fruit at the same time, and has no dormant period, growing and producing flowers and berries all year round. Even the flower stems are an attractive red, contrasting beautifully with the bright green leaves; and in autumn the foliage changes to a striking blood-red colour.  The firebush is a soft-stemmed to semi-woody, evergreen perennial shrub which responds well to pruning, but if left unpruned, and under optimal conditions, can grow 4 to 5m tall. Usually it stays much smaller, growing 2.4 to 3m tall and 1.2 to 1.8m wide.

The long tubular, reddish-orange or scarlet flowers have dark linear stripes, and hang from the plant in tassel-like, branched clusters. Because their corollas vary greatly in length, they are attractive to a wide range of pollinators. If your plant produces flowers which are more yellow than red, and without stripes, you probably have Hamelia patens var glabra, from Mexico.

The clusters of edible fruits are showy, and each fruit is a juicy berry with many small seeds; ripening from green to yellow, then red, and finally black. The berry is deceptive raw, with an initial sweetness and grape-like texture that yields to a sticky, lingering, slightly bitter but refreshing acidic aftertaste in the back of the mouth, so try one to see if you like them. The fruits are known to contain several active phytochemicals which have antibacterial and antifungal properties, and in Mexico they are made into a fermented drink. The fruit is also relished by birds, dispersing them far and wide.

With all this going for her, who could resist this voluptuous tropical beauty!

Hamelia patens. Picture courtesy Bob Peterson - see his flickr pageUses:

The Mayans called the firebush “Ix-canan,” meaning guardian of the forest, but it also seems to be a guardian of the people! In Belize the leaves, stems and flowers are boiled in water and used to treat a variety of skin problems including, sores, rashes, wounds, burns, itching, cuts, skin fungus, insect stings and bites. This same liquid is drunk as a tea to relieve menstrual cramps. The Choco Indians in Panama drink a leaf infusion to treat fever and diarrhoea, and the Ingano Indians make a leaf infusion for intestinal parasites. Tribes in Venezuela chew on the leaves to lower body temperature and help prevent a sun or heat stroke. In Brazil the root is used as a diuretic, and the leaves for scabies and headaches. Cubans use the leaves externally for headaches and sores, while a decoction is taken internally for rheumatism. In Mexico it is used externally to stop excessive bleeding, and to help heal wounds.

In laboratory tests on animals, leaf extracts showed analgesic, diuretic, and hypothermic actions. External use showed significant anti-inflammatory activity as well as antibacterial and antifungal properties.

The industrial use of the plant comes from its high amounts of tannins, and the hard, brown wood also has practical applications.

In the Garden:

The firebush is known as one of the best plants to attract butterflies and sunbirds to the garden, and it will feed our feathered friends for most of the year. And, because it responds well to pruning and can be kept smaller, it is great even for small gardens.

In the tropics it is widely used as a hedge or screen and is often planted in mass plantings and borders, mixed with other shrubs. It is especially attractive mixed with white flowering shrubs and annuals. The firebush is also suitable for planting around the foundations of buildings.

It is very effective if planted as a solitary specimen, and is often used as a small tree in tropical gardens, despite its somewhat scraggy appearance. If it is planted under a small tree, it will develop an almost vine-like habit, growing up into the tree and blooming as it gets closer to the brighter parts of the outer canopy, producing an interesting combination.

The firebush also does well in containers where it can be placed on a patio in summer and brought inside to a sunny location during the winter.

Cultivation/Propagation:

The firebush is a tropical to subtropical plant that is tender to frost. In cold climates it is often grown as a summer annual, where under these short growing conditions it remains a dwarf, about 60cm tall.In frost-free regions it is wonderfully adaptable, growing in hot and dry climates, as well as hot and humid climates, inland and at the coast. Although the firebush thrives in the heat it can sometimes become stressed if it is planted in an unnaturally hot location like up against a very hot wall, or in a pot placed on hot paving. Try to protect it from excessive strong wind, which can cause some leaf browning.

Although the plant thrives in full sun, it will take some shade - in too much shade it can become leggy and will not flower as well. It can tolerate many types of soils from heavy clays to high alkaline as long as it has good drainage. For good results in the garden water regularly during dry spells, but avoid overwatering. To keep the show going, feed every 6 to 8 weeks with a fertiliser for flowering plants.

Since it has no dormant season, pruning can be done at any time - to initiate new growth and more blooms, try to prune at least every year or so. However, a hedge of firebush will need fairly regular clipping, which unfortunately also removes many flowers.

Propagate by softwood cuttings or air-layering in spring. Fresh seed will also germinate readily,

Pests & Diseases:

Organic gardeners will be delighted to know that the firebush does not have many of the pest or disease problems that plague so many other tropical plants. Occasional attacks of scales or mites may require control measures, and the new growth may be attacked by aphids in early spring, but natural predators often rapidly check the invasion.

Warning:

For those who worry about poisonous plants in the landscape, the nontoxic nature of the firebush will come as a welcome relief.

Aloe tenuior' Yellow' Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.zaCondensed Version:

The semi-erect to rambling or shrub-like growth habit of this aloe produces several prostrate stems emerging from a central rootstock at ground level, forming large clumps. The fleshy leaves are greyish-green, often unevenly curving inward, with small soft teeth on the edges. The plants can reach 1.5 to 2m tall, with an equal spread. The flowering time is variable and can occur anytime throughout the year, but the main blooming time, when masses of delicate yellow, orange or red flowers appear, is mostly from late winter and early spring, continuing through summer and into autumn.

Although somewhat sprawling and untidy, its grey blue foliage, long flowering period and medium height make it a useful landscape plant for rockeries, retaining walls, terraces and embankments, as well as mixed beds and borders.
 
The fence aloe is tender to all but light frosts and does well in coastal and frost-free regions of the country. It is fast growing, and like all aloes thrives in full sun, where it flowers at its best. It can, however take some light shade. Although it thrives in sandy soils, it will adapt to most garden soils which drain well. Water moderately during long dry spells, and prune regularly to encourage more flowering branches.

Picture courtesy www.kumbulanursery.co.zaFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

This rambling aloe occurs naturally from sea level to an altitude of 2,300m, thriving in open grasslands and dry thickets, coastal scrub and forest margins, usually on sandy soils. It is found in the Western Cape but is particularly widespread in the Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal between Somerset East, Cookhouse and Tsolo, with a disjunct population on the border between KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Swaziland.

The genus name Aloiampelos means ‘climbing aloe’ from the Greek word, ampelos, meaning ‘climbing plant’. This name sums up the semi-erect to rambling or shrub-like growth habit of this aloe which produces several prostrate stems emerging from a central rootstock at ground level. The name 'tenuior' indicates the thin stems that will take root along the part of the stem lying on the ground, forming large clumps. The fleshy leaves are greyish-green, often unevenly curving inward, with small soft teeth on the edges. The plants can reach 1.5 to 2m tall, with an equal spread.

The flowering time is variable and can occur anytime throughout the year, but the main blooming time, when masses of delicate yellow, orange or red flowers appear, is mostly from late winter and early spring, continuing through summer and into autumn.

In the Garden:

The fence aloe is easy to grow and an undemanding, free-flowering, showy garden plant, which will attract sunbirds, bees and butterflies to the garden.  Although somewhat sprawling and untidy, its grey blue foliage, long flowering period and medium height make it a useful landscape plant for mass background plantings, where it will grow happily with other garden plants in a regularly irrigated garden.

It is well suited to rockeries, retaining walls, terraces and embankments, as well as mixed beds and borders. Plant it in massed beds to cover large areas, or encourage it to climb up fences and trellises. It is particularly good to plant in dry shade under trees, as long as the shade is light, and it is also suitable for container growth.

Uses:

In traditional medicine a decoction from the root has been used for treating tapeworm and it is also used as a purgative.

Aloe tenuior 'Orange' Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.zaCultivation/Propagation:

The fence aloe is tender to all but light frosts and does well in coastal and frost-free regions of the country. It is fast growing, and like all aloes thrives in full sun, where it flowers at its best. It can, however take some light shade. Although it thrives in sandy soils, it will adapt to most garden soils which drain well. In very impoverished soils, add generous amounts of compost to improve growth.

Although it can withstand dry conditions in the wild, in the garden the fence aloe will look its best if it is watered moderately during long dry spells. It responds well to pruning, which can be done at any time, resulting in many flowering branches forming.

Stem cuttings root easily, but after cutting the stems, allow the cuts to dry for a few days before planting them directly into the garden, or into pots. Keep the soil moist, but not wet until roots are formed. There is no need for bottom heat, misting or rooting hormones - this aloe is really easy to propagate.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

Aloes are prone to a number of diseases and pests, the commonest of which are white scale and the aloe snout beetle. These can be treated with the appropriate insecticides.

Click here to read a more in-depth article on the problems, pests and diseases which affect Aloes.

Warning:

We could not find this plant listed anywhere as poisonous.

Aloe arborescensCondensed Version:

The beautiful krantz aloe is a valuable garden asset and possibly the most widely cultivated aloe in the world. From May to July it bears flowers in fiery shades of deep-orange, which is the most common colour, but there are also forms with colours like salmon pink, a deep orange-red, a lovely butter-yellow colour, and striking bi-coloured hybrids. The plant stands out in the landscape with its stately form, up to 2 to 3m tall, and its spreading habit, producing a multi-headed shrub of striking green leaves armed with sharp teeth at their margins, and arranged in attractive rosettes. It is very useful for larger gardens, and a valuable accent plant. It can also be grown as an excellent and impenetrable hedging plant.

The krantz aloe grows quickly in the garden, and is a wonderful low-maintenance and water-wise plant. It is a great coastal plant and does just as well inland, tolerating moderate frost and drought.  It will always look its best in the garden, however, if it is watered judiciously during long dry spells.

All aloes thrive in full sun, and the one thing they are all really fussy about is perfect soil drainage, otherwise they will adapt to most soil types. Adding some compost to the planting hole, along with a generous dressing of bone meal will get your plant off to a good start. Mulching around the roots in autumn with compost or kraal manure will be sufficient to ensure glorious blooms in winter.

Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Aloe arborescens

The beautiful krantz aloe is a valuable garden asset and possibly the most widely cultivated aloe in the world. It is cherished for its profusion of warmly coloured flower spikes during the drab winter months when not much else is blooming in the garden. From May to July it bears flowers in fiery shades of deep-orange, which is the most common colour, but there are also forms with colours like salmon pink, a deep orange-red, and also a lovely butter-yellow colour. Plant breeders have even developed striking bi-coloured hybrids which are sure to delight.

In South Africa we are proud to call this beauty our very own and it is gracing more and more gardens, much to the delight of humans, birds and other wildlife, providing them will a valuable food source when this is scarce. In the wild the krantz aloe is concentrated mainly in the eastern summer rainfall areas, but it can also be found from the Cape Peninsula and along the eastern coast, through KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. It occurs in low coastal scrub to high mountain tops, and although it is adaptable to many habitats, favours exposed sunny ridges and rocky outcrops.

When in full bloom the krantz aloe is easy to spot in the wild, but even when not in bloom it still stands out in the landscape with its stately form, up to 2 to 3m tall, and its spreading habit, producing a multi-headed shrub of striking green leaves armed with sharp teeth at their margins, and arranged in attractive rosettes.

Because Aloe arborescens hybridises readily with other aloes, the species formerly known as Aloe mutabilis is now regarded as a form of Aloe arborescens. This hybrid is smaller growing than the krantz aloe and is more evident on the high inland plateau of the northern provinces of South Africa, where it grows on cliffs and produces gorgeous red and yellow bi-coloured flower spikes.

Uses:

Aloe arborescens is the only other member of the aloe family that is claimed to be as effective as Aloe Vera for medical uses. The sap of the leaves has many uses and has been used to treat stomach ailments for many centuries, as well as abrasions, burns and skin ailments. The Zulu people use the leaves of this plant as a protection against storms, and in the Transkei it is used for stomach ache and given to chickens to prevent them from getting sick. Extracts from the leaves have been widely researched and have shown significant wound healing, anti-bacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, hypoglycaemic and also alopoeic activity.

In the Garden:

The krantz aloe is easy to grow, extremely water-wise, and also a 'must-have' for anyone wanting to stock their herb gardens with indigenous healing plants - good reasons to include at least one of these decorative aloes in your garden.

Because it grows into a large and spreading plant the krantz aloe is very useful for larger gardens, and a valuable accent plant with its attractive foliage and decorative form. It can also be grown as an excellent and impenetrable hedging plant, and is an excellent fire-retardant succulent for wildfire-prone areas.

The flowers produce copious amounts of nectar, attracting many birds, especially sunbirds, as well as butterflies, bees and other insects.

Cultivation/Propagation:

The krantz aloe grows quickly in the garden, and is a wonderful low-maintenance and water-wise plant. It is a great coastal plant and does just as well inland, tolerating moderate frost and drought.  It will always look its best in the garden, however, if it is watered judiciously during long dry spells.

All aloes thrive in full sun, and the one thing they are all really fussy about is perfect soil drainage, otherwise they will adapt to most soil types. Adding some compost to the planting hole, along with a generous dressing of bone meal will get your plant off to a good start. Mulching around the roots in autumn with compost or kraal manure will be sufficient to ensure glorious blooms in winter.

The krantz aloe is easily propagated from branch or stem cuttings. Allow the branches to dry for a day, or until the wound has sealed, before planting into well-drained soil or washed river-sand. Do not overwater the cuttings or they may rot. Seed can be sown in spring, taking about 3 to 4 weeks to germinate.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

Aloe rust shows as small, pale yellow spots on leaves which expand and turn brown; orange spore masses may be present on underside of leaf; leaves may drop from plant. Disease emergence favours cool temperatures and high humidity. Although this disease is self-limiting and requires no treatment, it is unsightly and may be treated with a suitable fungicide if necessary.

Anthracnose disease shows initially as small round to oval, dark green water-soaked spots, which later become circular with tan to light brown centres. As the spots mature the centre of the lesion becomes reddish-brown to brown in colour, progressing to form lesions which join together to form big necrotic areas. This fungal disease is favoured by warm, wet weather, and is spread easily during wet weather by water splash. It can be controlled by the application of a suitable fungicide.

Basal stem rot turns the base of the plant reddish brown to black and causes rotting. This is a fatal disease of aloes and its emergence favours cold, damp conditions. Try to save pieces of the plant which are not infected by taking cuttings above the rotted portion.

Bacterial soft rot symptoms show as watery, rotting leaves which are darker in colour; young leaves wilting and collapsing, and bulging leaves due to gas formation inside. This fatal disease can be avoided by not overwatering plants. This bacterium survives in plant debris in the field, and its emergence is favoured by hot, wet weather.

Aphids feed at the bases of the leaves or in the rolled ends of damaged leaves. They secrete sticky, sweet honeydew, which results in sooty mould development. Severe infestation leads to slow growth and stunting. Organically acceptable methods of control include the application of insecticidal soap and preservation of natural enemies.

Adult Snout Beetles feed off of Aloe leaves, their presence can usually be detected by the presence of circular lesions that have a transverse slit in the centre. Snout Beetles lay their eggs at the base of aloe leaves, and after the larvae have hatched they bore into the stem just below the crown which usually results in the death of the plant.

Click here to read a more in-depth article on the problems, pests and diseases which affect Aloes.

Warning:

Aloe arborescens is the only other member of the aloe family that is claimed to be as effective as Aloe Vera for medical uses, and although these two aloes have a rich history in the realm of natural healing, producing a clear, gelatine-like substance that soothes burns and relieves skin conditions such as psoriasis when used topically, they can be toxic in certain circumstances.

Just below the outer skin of the aloe plant’s leaves is a layer of yellow juice. This juice, also known as the plant’s latex and contains a natural chemical called “aloin.” Aloin is a type of anthraquinone glycoside, which may irritate your skin if you have an allergy to latex. The skin irritation or allergy associated with latex is known as contact dermatitis, which produces a localized rash.

Aloe latex contains powerful laxative properties, and the ingestion of aloe juice or latex may also irritate the intestines when taken orally.If aloe latex is consumed in large quantities it can lead to diarrhoea. Serious bouts of diarrhoea in young children and animals may result in loss of electrolytes and dehydration. If you suspect the ingestion of aloe latex by a young child or animal, it is important to seek medical advice.

Pavetta revoluta. Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.za Condensed Version:

Pavetta revoluta occurs from Port Alfred up through the former Transkei region (Eastern Cape) to KwaZulu-Natal, where it can be found growing in forest and dune bush, in a narrow strip along the coast, not far from the sea. Its full, showy bunches of white flowers will delight in late spring, early or midsummer, covering the plant from top to bottom, and showing up brilliantly against the glossy, dark green leaves, and smooth textured, light-coloured bark.

In the garden the dune bride's bush is a slow growing evergreen plant which remains very neat, requiring very little pruning. It varies in height according to climate, but generally grows from 2 to 3m tall, and can spread as wide. The dune brides bush is truly a joy to have and it can be trained as a shrub or a delightful tiny tree. It is a definite 'must have' for all wildlife gardens and is highly recommended for small gardens. It also grows beautifully in a pot.

The dune brides bush is a shade loving plant but will take a reasonable amount of sunshine. Plant it in a sheltered position in the garden for the best results. The plant loves fertile, well-drained soil, so prepare the planting hole very well, incorporating compost, well-rotted manure and a little bone-meal. Mulch the roots seasonally and water your plant regularly during the first year or two for optimum growth. Water regularly thereafter, especially during long dry spells, because although the plant tolerates drought, it thrives if watered regularly.

Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

The genus Pavetta is a large family of plants that are native to the warm areas of Africa, Asia and Australia, comprising of about 400 species from the Old World tropics. In South Africa there are about 24 species, all of which grow in the summer rainfall regions of the country. All species have small black dots on the leaves, and these are bacterial nodes that fix nitrogen from the air, in much the same way as the roots of legumes fix nitrogen from the soil in their roots.

Several species are cultivated in gardens; including Pavetta lanceolata, Pavetta revoluta, Pavetta cooperi and Pavetta gardeniifolia. Pavetta belong to the gardenia (katjiepiering) family of plants and are grown for their sweetly scented flowers in summer. The flowers are full of nectar, attracting many insect pollinators, and the clusters of fat, shiny black fruits which follow the flowers are relished by fruit eating birds.

Pavetta revoluta occurs from Port Alfred up through the former Transkei region (Eastern Cape) to KwaZulu-Natal, where it can be found growing in forest and dune bush, in a narrow strip along the coast, not far from the sea, where it remains a dwarf, about 1m tall. Under optimal conditions inland it can grow up to 6m tall. Its full, showy bunches of white flowers will delight in late spring, early or midsummer, covering the plant from top to bottom, and showing up brilliantly against the glossy, dark green leaves, and smooth textured, light-coloured bark.

Uses:

It is reported that the Xhosa people use it for rheumatism and as emetic insecticide, presumably worms.

In the Garden:

In the garden the dune bride's bush is a slow growing evergreen plant which remains very neat, requiring very little pruning. It varies in height according to climate, but generally grows from 2 to 3m tall, and can spread as wide. The dune brides bush is truly a joy to have and it can be trained as a shrub or a delightful tiny tree. It is a definite 'must have' for all wildlife gardens and is highly recommended for small gardens. It also grows beautifully in a pot.

Cultivation/Propagation:

The dune brides bush is a shade loving plant but will take a reasonable amount of sunshine. Plant it in a sheltered position in the garden for the best results. The plant loves fertile, well-drained soil, so prepare the planting hole very well, incorporating compost, well-rotted manure and a little bone-meal. Mulch the roots seasonally and water your plant regularly during the first year or two for optimum growth. Water regularly thereafter, especially during long dry spells, because although the plant tolerates drought, it thrives if watered regularly.

Pavetta revoluta can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Sow seeds in summer in seed trays in a well-drained, well-aerated soil mix. Treat the seed with an anti-damping-off fungicide. Spread the seeds evenly and cover with a layer of fine bark or river sand. Water the seed tray and place it in a warm place. Under optimum conditions, germination should take place in 3 to 5 weeks.

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in spring. Cuttings must be dipped in a rooting hormone to stimulate root development. The growth medium should be a mixture of 50% bark and 50% polystyrene. Treat the tray with a fungicide and put it in a mist unit with under-heating. Rooting should take six weeks.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

Luckily, the dune brides bush does not suffer from any serious pests and diseases.

Warning:

Pavetta are poisonous and contain an unidentified toxin which causes myocarditis and sudden death due to acute heart failure. The condition is also known as ‘gousiekte’, hence the common name for P. schumannianii (poisonous bride's bush). Two species in the genus; P. harborii and P. Schumannianii, are known to be poisonous to stock.