Tecoma capensis 'Apricot' Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.zaCondensed Version:

This indigenous shrub remains wildly popular with gardeners for its clusters of tubular flowers in brilliant shades of orange, red, yellow, apricot or salmon, and the vibrancy of the flower colours is shown off perfectly by the plants dark green, glossy leaves. In the garden it is fast growing and will vary in height and spread depending on how it is pruned. If left to its own devices it can grow anything from 1.5 to 3m tall, with an equal spread, but just a little pruning can keep it compact enough for even the smallest garden.

The Cape honeysuckle tolerates salt spray and is adaptable to poor, sandy soil, but it will grow best in well-drained, composted soil. It is semi-hardy to moderate frost, in frost-free regions it is evergreen and in colder regions it is semi-deciduous. Although it flowers best in full sun, it will tolerate some shade. Although moderately drought hardy, water regularly in the garden, especially in very hot regions. Pruning in late winter or early spring is essential to keep it as a shrub and to control its size, and even ruthless pruning is tolerated.

Tecoma capensis 'Pink Blush' Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.zaFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

This indigenous shrub remains wildly popular with gardeners in South Africa and around the world for its clusters of tubular flowers in brilliant shades of orange, red, yellow, apricot or salmon, thanks to modern garden hybrids. Flowering is sporadic throughout the year in warm regions, and these hybrids have even more blooming power, and the vibrancy of the flower colours is shown off perfectly by the plants dark green, glossy leaves. The flowers are followed by long, narrow seed pods which split open when ripe, to disperse the seeds.

In the wild Tecomaria capensis grows at the edges of evergreen forests, bush and sheltered scrubland as a sprawling, rampant, sometimes vine-like shrub that produces orange-red flowers. It is widely distributed throughout the Eastern Cape coasts, KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, Mpumalanga, the Northern Province and Mozambique. The flowers are pollinated by nectar-feeding birds, especially sunbirds, but are also visited by honeybees and butterflies.

In the garden it is fast growing and will vary in height and spread depending on how it is pruned. If left to its own devices it can grow anything from 1.5 to 3m tall, with an equal spread, but just a little pruning can keep it compact enough for even the smallest garden.
 
Tecoma capensis 'Rocky Horror' Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.zaUses:

The bark is used in traditional medicine to treat many ailments: to bring down fevers and relieve pain, and especially stomach pains, diarrhoea and gastro-enteritis. It is also used to treat sleeplessness, to bring down fevers, and to treat chest ailments like bronchitis. Nursing mothers use it to encourage the flow of milk, and the dried and powdered bark is rubbed around the teeth to treat bleeding gums.

Even animals seem to know this plant is good for them, and both game and stock animals love to browse the leaves. For this reason farmers love to plant it along fences as additional grazing.

In the Garden:

The Cape honeysuckle is a useful ornamental, screening or hedging plant and grows easily in pots. It is ideal to plant in seaside gardens, and because it is water-wise, is used for xeriscaping - landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation.

Its tubular flowers will attract nectar-feeding birds to your garden, and are a magnet for butterflies. It can be shaped into an attractive shrub and is commonly used for screening, or trimmed into a formal or informal hedge. In large areas it can be planted as a groundcover, and on rocky slopes it is marvellous to control soil erosion.

To train it as a climber you will need to tie it to a support, or weave it through chain-link or wooden fences and trellises. It can also be espaliered on a wall, or trained to cascade beautifully down a garden wall.

The Cape honeysuckle is a carefree garden plant which does not suffer from any serious peats and diseases, making it perfect for eco-conscious gardeners who do not spray harmful chemicals.

Picture courtesy Wilferd Duckitt - Lesser Double-Collard Sunbird in Tecomaria capensis - See his flickr page.Cultivation/Propagation:

The Cape honeysuckle tolerates salt spray and is adaptable to poor, sandy soil, but it will grow best in well-drained, composted soil. This plant is semi-hardy to moderate frost, in frost-free regions it is evergreen and in colder regions it is semi-deciduous. In very cold regions it may be cut back right down to the ground in winter, but will shoot from the roots again in summer as long as they are mulched to prevent them from freezing, and the plant is grown in a sheltered position in the garden.

Although the Cape honeysuckle flowers best in full sun, it will tolerate some shade. It is moderately drought hardy once established, but responds well if it is watered regularly in the garden, especially in very hot regions. Pruning in late winter or early spring is essential to keep it as a shrub and to control its size, and even ruthless pruning is tolerated. If you feed with a balanced fertiliser after pruning and mulch the roots with compost, your Cape honeysuckle will be good to go for another season.

The Cape honeysuckle is easily propagated from seeds and softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. This plant also layers itself naturally and any branch that lies on the soil will take root easily. These rooted pieces can be severed from the mother plant and planted out. In warmer climates propagation can be done at any time but in cooler regions propagation is done during spring or summer.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

The Cape honeysuckle is a carefree garden plant which does not suffer from any serious peats and diseases, making it perfect for eco-conscious gardeners.

Warning:

We could not find this plant listed in poison databases and currently studies are being done to evaluate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity of methanolic Tecomaria capensis leaves extract using different models in rats. Results demonstrated that no mortality was reported even after 14 days, so it seems that consuming this plant is not dangerous for humans either, however, it is always wise to supervise young children in the garden.

Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaThis plant is not freely available in South Africa anymore because it only grows in frost-free regions and is considered invasive in many tropical regions of the world. I have included it in my plant index for identification purposes as many old gardens still have it growing.

Click here to see its status on the SANBI Red List of South African Plants

I suggest you try something else like (Bauhinia galpinii) Pride-of-De-Kaap, Vlam-van-die-vlakte, which you can prune to keep smaller.

Southern Africa has 10 species of Caesalpinia of which 4 have been introduced and are invasive (Germishuizen 2001). The other 6 are indigenous to southern Africa (C. bonduc, C. bracteata, C. merxmuellerana, C. pearsonii, C. rostrata and C. rubra). The last four are confined to dry regions of Namibia. The Mauritius thorn (Caesalpinia decapetala), bird-of-paradise (C. gilliesii), C. pulcherrina and C. spinosa are invasive (Henderson 2001). Probably the best known is the bird-of-paradise (C. gilliesii), which is common in the Northern Cape.

The Peacock flower is believed to be native to the West Indies and tropical America. It is widely cultivated and has escaped cultivation and become established in tropical regions throughout the world.

It is grown for its incredibly showy spikes of orange-scarlet flowers that bloom for most of the year in the tropics. The stem and branches are armed with sharp spines and the leaves are fernlike, with many small, oval leaflets. The fruit is a pod 6 to 12 cm long and when ripe, they split open noisily to expose the little brown beans.

This popular ornamental plant is widely grown in tropical gardens and is the national flower of the Caribbean island of Barbados. It is commonly planted in public gardens as a specimen plant or in the mixed border. It has an open, spreading habit and the branches sometimes get too long for their own good and break off. Still, a line of peacock flowers makes a showy fine-textured screen or informal hedge that will attract butterflies to your garden. Don't plant this sharply thorny shrub near pedestrian traffic.

The Peacock Flower is a semi-evergreen shrub that is tender to frost and only grows well in the warmly temperate and sub-tropical regions of South Africa. It will grow very quickly to 2 to 3m tall and spread up to 2m wide. The Peacock flower is very easy to grow in alkaline to acidic, well-drained soils. It will tolerate light shade but flowers best in full sun. Feed with a balanced organic fertiliser about 4 times a year and although it is relatively drought hardy once established, it will do best if it is watered regularly during dry spells, especially when it is flowering. The Peacock Flower will benefit from pruning and is often cut back to ground level in late winter and early spring. It can be shaped into a small tree or bushy shrub.

See under Trees

Freylinia lanceolata. Picture courtesy David Jones. Visit his flickr photostreamCondensed Version

The yellow honeybell bush is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub that grows quickly and vigorously. Its lovely arching branches, with their pale grey bark and willow-like green leaves, bear masses of drooping, honey-scented sprays of creamy-yellow flowers at their tips.

It will bloom sporadically throughout the year but its main flowering season will depend on whether it is grown in the winter or summer rainfall regions of South Africa. In the winter rainfall regions, flowering is from late summer (February) through autumn and winter to early spring (August), and sporadically throughout the year. In our summer rainfall regions it may bloom mainly from mid to late winter and spring (June to August), but also sporadically through summer.

It varies in height and spread, depending on climate, rainfall and soil type, but in the garden it reaches anything from 3 to 5m tall with an equal spread, and under optimal conditions it can even reach 6m in height.

In the garden, it is most accommodating, and fares equally well in both our summer and winter rainfall regions. It tolerates heat and temperatures as high as 37°C, as well as moderate frost and temperatures as low as -2°C.

The yellow honeybell enjoys moist conditions and is very fast-growing, if well-watered. It prefers a sunny spot in the garden, but will take some light shade.  It grows easily in ordinary, fertile garden soil. Too look at its best in the garden, it needs to be watered regularly, and especially during dry spells. It also requires regular trimming after flowering to keep it neat.

Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Most gardeners are familiar with our beautiful indigenous Blue Honeybell Bush (Freylinia tropica) but the Yellow Honeybell or Heuningklokkiesbos, (Freylinia lanceolata) is not as well-known. It is an enchanting multi-stemmed evergreen shrub that grows quickly and vigorously. Its lovely arching branches, with their pale grey bark and willow-like green leaves, bear masses of drooping, honey-scented sprays of creamy-yellow flowers at their tips.

It will bloom sporadically throughout the year but its main flowering season will depend on whether it is grown in the winter or summer rainfall regions of South Africa. In the winter rainfall regions, flowering is from late summer (February) through autumn and winter to early spring (August), and sporadically throughout the year. In our summer rainfall regions it may bloom mainly from mid to late winter and spring (June to August), but also sporadically through summer. The flowers are followed by fruits which are small brown capsules, and produced all year.

The yellow honeybell varies in height and spread, depending on climate, rainfall and soil type, but in the garden it reaches anything from 3 to 5m tall with an equal spread, and under optimal conditions it can even reach 6m in height.

In the wild Freylinia lanceolata thrives in moist areas, and is commonly found growing along the banks of streams or on the edges of marshes or vleis. It is found in the Northern Cape from Namaqualand and Calvinia in the western Karoo, southwards and westwards through the Western Cape, and eastwards to Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape.

In South Africa there are 9 species of Freylinia, 8 of which are found in the Cape Province, and Freylinia tropica which occurs in the summer rainfall regions. South African species are: Freylinia tropica, Freylinia crispa, Freylinia densiflora, Freylinia helmei, Freylinia lanceolata, Freylinia longiflora, Freylinia undulata, Freylinia visseri and Freylinia vlokii.

Freylinia tropica must be the most well-known honeybell bush in South Africa, and is cherished for its abundance of dainty flowers in delicate shades of pale blue, mauve and white, and also for its hardiness and ease of growth. Members can click here to read more about Freylinia tropica on this website

Freylinia visseri is an exceptionally attractive garden species with lovely foliage and beautiful clusters of long tubular, maroon-red flowers.  Sadly, this species has become extremely rare in its natural habitat, and is classified as threatened in the Red Data Book, so if you find some for sale, snatch them up. Members can click here to read more about Freylinia visseri on this website

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia tropica

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia crispa

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia densiflora

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia helmei

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia lanceolata

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia longiflora

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia undulata

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia visseri

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia vlokii

In the Garden:

The yellow honeybell bush is a lovely large shrub for the garden, and if allowed to mature fully it is better suited to medium sized and larger gardens where it can be allowed to grow without restriction into its naturally graceful shape, and be admired to its fullest.

Its most enchanting attribute is its lovely weeping habit which gives the plant a less formal look, and the soft, flexible branches and long thin leaves sway in the breeze, creating movement within the garden. If you retain the lower branches, these characteristics are also what make this freylinia an excellent choice for an informal windbreak or screening plant. It can also be clipped into a neat, formal hedge, but this requires a lot of maintenance.

It is perfect to plant in fynbos and rock gardens, and because it loves moisture, it’s a good candidate to utilise in poorly drained areas of the garden. On farms or in large parks, it would be perfectly at home alongside a large dam, pond, or water feature. It also holds its own if planted towards the back of an informal shrub border.

For smaller spaces, it can be pruned up into a traditional, small, single stemmed tree, suitable for even tiny gardens, or for planting into pots on balconies.

To get the most value from the flower displays, plant it alongside a winding pathway where the flowers can be seen close up. They attract hosts of butterflies and a variety of insects, which in turn become food for insectivorous (insect-eating) birds such as the black-headed oriole, pied and crested barbets, Cape robins, and thrushes.

Click here to see images of the African Black-headed Oriole

Click here to see images of Pied Barbets

Click here to see images of the Crested Barbets

Click here to see images of the Cape Robin

Click here to see images of South African Thrushes

Cultivation/Propagation:

In the garden it is most accommodating, and fares equally well in both our summer and winter rainfall regions. It tolerates heat and temperatures as high as 37°C, as well as moderate frost and temperatures as low as -2°C.

The yellow honeybell enjoys moist conditions and is very fast-growing if well-watered. It prefers a sunny spot in the garden, but will take some light shade.  It grows easily in ordinary, fertile garden soil. Too look at its best in the garden, it needs to be watered regularly, and especially during dry spells. It also requires regular trimming after flowering to keep it neat.

It is easily propagated from fresh seed which should germinate within three weeks. Stem cuttings taken during the warmer summer months root easily, and under suitable conditions young plants grow fast and may flower within a couple of seasons.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

If planted in a sunny spot with sufficient amounts of water, the honeybell bush is a relatively undemanding garden plant, with few pests and diseases that worry it. In too much shade, however, shrubs have sparse foliage and the bark may become covered in lichen.

Warning:

I have no confirmation that any part of this plant is toxic, however I always urge caution as this information may be incorrect. Always supervise small children and pets in the garden, discouraging them from chewing on plants.

Forsythia. Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaThe Forsythia used to be a popular spring flowering garden plant in South Africa, but sadly, it is no longer easy to find. However, because some nurseries may still grow it, and it can still be found in old established gardens, for identification purposes I have left it in my plant index. If you do find it growing and wish to propagate, it is easily grown from cuttings taken from new growth in summer or from hardwood cuttings in autumn and winter. Simple layering is also very effective and rooting should only take a few weeks in summer.

Condensed Version:

The Golden Bell bush is one of the first plants to bloom in spring; producing a profusion of vibrant yellow or pink flowers, depending on the cultivar. It will grow very quickly to about 2m tall 1.5m wide, and loses its leaves in winter, making the blooms even more startling against the bare branches.

The Golden Bell grows best in the summer rainfall regions and is not suited to humid areas. It flowers best if planted in full sun and is hardy to frost.  It will grow on most well-drained soils but prefers alkaline soil and will benefit from a dressing of garden lime occasionally if your soil is a bit acid.  Water deeply but moderately during dry spells; never overwatering. Mulch and feed your plants in late winter with compost and organic 3:1:5, to encourage flowering.

Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

The forsythia bush belongs to the Olive family and is native to China. It is one of the first plants to bloom in spring; producing a profusion of vibrant, yellow or pink flowers, depending on the cultivar. The Golden Bell will grow very quickly to about 2m tall 1.5m wide. It loses its leaves in winter, making the blooms even more startling against the bare branches.

In the Garden:

Forsythias are popular in gardens and parks, being prized for being tough, and reliable. They are beautiful landscape shrubs, with an upright and spreading habit that looks lovely in a shrub border. They are excellent heding or screening plants and once established the plants require little or no care.

Cultivation/Propagation:

The Golden Bell grows best in the summer rainfall regions and is not suited to humid areas. It flowers best if planted in full sun and is hardy to frost.  It will grow on most well-drained soils but prefers alkaline soil and will benefit from a dressing of garden lime occasionally if your soil is a bit acid.  Water deeply but moderately during dry spells; never overwatering. Mulch and feed your plants in late winter with compost and organic 3:1:5, to encourage flowering.

This plant can be left to grow naturally without much pruning as it has a wonderful shape. In gardens where it is grown as a screen or hedge, pruning will be required to keep it neat and manageable. Pruning is done after the plant is finished flowering by cutting out about one-third of the old woody growth all the way to the ground to encourage new young growth on which next seasons flowers will grow. Another pruning method is to prune only the tips of the bush, resulting in several new growths developing at that point, making the plant bushier and more prolific in its flowering.

Forsythia is grown from cuttings taken from new growth in summer or from hardwood cuttings in autumn and winter. Simple layering is also very effective and rooting should only take a few weeks in summer.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

Irregular swelling, so-called 'galls', may be caused by insects, mites, fungi or bacteria. Destroy affected parts. To prevent infection avoid injuring the plants and improve drainage.
Stunted growth, fungal fruiting bodies in autumn and dieback of the plants indicate an infection with honey fungus. Remove affected plants including roots.

Warning:

All parts of the plant are slightly toxic.

Chamelaucium uncinatum 'White' Picture courtesy Madibri NurseryThe Geraldton Wax plant used to be a popular garden plant in South Africa, but sadly it is no longer very easy to find. At the time of writing this article, it is grown by Madibri Nursery who supplies garden centres. Click here to find their distributors.

It can still be found in old established gardens, so for identification purposes I have left it in my plant index. If you do find them growing and wish to propagate, cuttings of firm, current seasons growth will usually strike readily. Seeds are available online, but propagation from seed can be tricky.

Condensed Version:

When in full bloom in spring and early summer the geraldton wax plant looks like a billowing cloud of cotton candy as the branches sway in the breeze. The needle-thin leaves can be bright to dark-green, depending on the season, and contrast beautifully in texture and colour with the shiny berry-like buds arranged in open sprays along the ends of the stems, and the lush clusters of waxy, star-shaped flowers.

The naturally occurring pink or white flowered geraldton wax plant grows quickly into a lovely rounded shape, and is generally clipped into a thick shrub, but if left largely unpruned, the older varieties can reach heights of +- 2.5m with spread of 2m.

Today the geraldton wax plant is available in colours that range from white to various shades of pink, mauve and wine; sometimes with all the colours on one bush. And, while the traditional form blooms in winter and spring, there are now several hybrids from which to select which will extend the blooming time into early summer. Recently released cultivars are even frost hardy down to -2°C, and delightful new dwarf forms grow beautifully in containers, making them suitable for even the smallest gardens.

The geraldton wax plant thrives in a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters.  Therefore, the plant is easy to grow in a Mediterranean climate, and it thrives in the south and south-western Cape, and other mild, frost free regions of South Africa, like the KwaZulu-Natal mist belt.  It will tolerate light frost inland if it is planted in a warm, protected position in the garden, and protected until established. The shrub does not tolerate high humidity or overly wet summer conditions.

Full sun is essential for good flowering, and although this shrub prefers sandy, very well-drained soils, be they acid, neutral or alkaline, for quick establishment in very poor soils, amend the soil with plenty of organic matter and till to a depth of about 25cm. If your soil does not have perfect drainage, add sand or other gritty material to enhance percolation, or grow the plant in a raised bed, or container.

Young plants will need supplemental irrigation as they establish, and although mature plants can withstand fairly long periods of drought, in the garden they will respond well to intermittent watering in the heat of summer. Avoid overwatering as this can cause root rot.

Because its native soil is so low in nutrients, feeding with commercial fertilisers might actually harm the plant, so only use organic mulch around the roots, and apply a light dressing of bone meal in spring. This mulch will slowly release needed nutrients, as well as protect the root zone from cold, and help prevent weeds from growing. Never dig around the roots of this plant as they resent soil disturbance.

An annual pruning when the plant has finished flowering forces tighter, more compact shrubs and helps to keep the centre of the plant open for light and air.

Geraldton wax plant Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia. Picture courtesy Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project - see her flickr pageFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

When in full bloom the geraldton wax plant looks like a billowing cloud of cotton candy as the branches sway in the breeze. The needle-thin leaves can be bright to dark-green, depending on the season, and contrast beautifully in texture and colour with the shiny berry-like buds arranged in open sprays along the ends of the stems, and the lush clusters of waxy, star-shaped flowers. If you crush the leaves, they emit a pleasant lemony scent, and the flowers have a sweet, honey fragrance, oozing nectar and attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects; particularly on warm, late winter or spring days.

The naturally occurring pink or white flowered geraldton wax plant grows quickly into a lovely rounded shape, and is generally clipped into a thick shrub, but if left largely unpruned, the older varieties can reach heights of +- 2.5m with spread of 2m. This hardy shrub has come a long way over the past decade, thanks to improved breeding and hybridisation the geraldton wax plant is extremely popular, and available in colours that range from white to various shades of pink, mauve and wine; sometimes with all the colours on one bush. And, while the traditional form blooms in winter and spring, there are now several hybrids from which to select which will extend the blooming time into early summer. Recently released cultivars are even frost hardy down to -2°C, and delightful new dwarf forms grow beautifully in containers, making them suitable for even the smallest gardens.

This gorgeous evergreen belongs to the Myrtle family which contains about 150 genera and 3,300 species of trees and shrubs, notably the Australian tea tree (Leptoscpermum laevigatum), New Zealand tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium), bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.),  and Melaleuca species. Its members are widely distributed in the tropics and characteristically feature leathery leaves with oil glands. Several, like allspice and clove, are useful as spices, and a number of species are economically important for their timber.

Chamelaucium is a genus of about 30 species, all occurring only in south-western Australia, and the gerladton wax plant is endemic to the Shark Bay region of extreme Western Australia, growing wild nowhere else in the world.  It can be found in coastal areas, the edges of swamps, hillsides and plains, thriving in white, grey or yellow sand, over limestone, laterite. Laterite is a clayey soil horizon rich in iron and aluminium oxides, formed by weathering of igneous rocks in moist warm climates. In the wild it varies greatly in height from 50cm to 4m tall, and the immature branches are a smooth greyish-brown, becoming rougher with age. The young twigs can be slightly reddish and are a particularly pretty contrast to the flowers.

Modern hybrids include:

'Chantilly Lace' (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) is a very prolific flowering variety with masses of buds, opening into dense clusters of pure white blooms with beautiful frilly edges and lime green centres.

'Dancing Queen' (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) is a unique double variety featuring an abundance of blooms, ranging from soft baby pink through to vibrant candy-pink.

'Moonlight Delight' PBR (Chamelaucium megalopetalum hybrid) produces masses of red buds in mid-winter, followed by an abundance of white blooms with dark crimson centres in early spring.

'My Sweet 16' (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) has pure white flowers are borne in early spring. The flowers mature to a rich crimson colour, giving the plant a stunning bi-colour appearance of crimson, white and all shades in-between.

'Purple Pride' (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) produces unique purple blooms that mature to a beautiful dark magenta.

'Raspberry Ripple' PBR (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) is a beautiful screening plant, which produces masses of dark pink-crimson blooms on thin stems.

'Sarah's Delight' PBR (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) is a tall shrub which produces masses of bright pink flowers with dark crimson centres during late winter and early spring.

'Strawberry Surprise' PBR (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) has stunning pink flowers, which feature a frilly petal formation, and are borne profusely in spring.

Picture courtesy Elizabeth Donoghue - see her flickr pageUses:

The geraldton wax plant is one of Australia's most famous wildflowers and all the rage in the cut flower industry throughout the world because the blooms last extremely well in the vase. It was popular in California as far back as the 1940’s, and was introduced into Israel in the 1970’s. Today it is widely grown in many countries, including South Africa, Chile and Peru.

In the Garden:

As part of the xeriscape or drought tolerant garden, the geraldton waxplant can’t be beat for its consistent bloom, ease of care, and tolerant nature.  It is one of those “plant it and forget it” shrubs, and because it has minimal pest and disease issues, low food and moisture needs, and only requires light pruning, is the perfect low maintenance and water-wise shrub for busy gardeners.

It is well worth growing as a screen or wind break, and will add value to any mixed shrub border, providing colour during the bleakest time of the year when very little is in bloom. The geraldton wax plant is also a must-have for picking gardens.  

The sweet fragrance of the flowers and their rich nectar attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects, providing valuable sustenance when food is scarce. On warm, late winter or spring days, spend time outdoors in the sunshine, clipping some stems for the vase and just inhaling their lovely fragrance – geraldton wax plants are a sure promise that spring is on the way.  

Picture courtesy Ross Funnell - see her flickr pageCultivation/Propagation:

The healthiest plants are produced by mimicking the plants growing conditions in its native Australia. Shark Bay has a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters - the soils are sandy and moisture is sparse, except during the rainy winter season. Therefore, the plant is easy to grow in a Mediterranean climate, and it thrives in the south and south-western Cape, and other mild, frost free regions of South Africa like the KwaZulu-Natal mist belt. It will tolerate light frost inland if it is planted in a warm, protected position in the garden, and protected until established. The shrub does not tolerate high humidity or overly wet summer conditions.

Full sun is essential for good flowering, and although this shrub prefers sandy, very well-drained soils, be they acid, neutral or alkaline, for quick establishment in very poor soils, amend the soil with plenty of organic matter and till to a depth of about 25cm. If your soil does not have perfect drainage, add sand or other gritty material to enhance percolation, or grow the plant in a raised bed, or containers.

Young plants will need supplemental irrigation as they establish, and although mature plants can withstand fairly long periods of drought, in the garden they will respond well to intermittent watering in the heat of summer. Avoid overwatering as this can cause root rot.

Because its native soil is so low in nutrients, feeding with commercial fertilisers might actually harm the plant, so only use organic mulch around the roots, and apply a light dressing of bone meal in spring. This mulch will slowly release needed nutrients, as well as protect the root zone from cold, and help prevent weeds from growing. Never dig around the roots of this plant as they resent soil disturbance.

An annual pruning when the plant has finished flowering forces tighter, more compact shrubs and helps to keep the centre of the plant open for light and air. Although the geraldton wax plant can take quite harsh pruning, just cutting back the stems by one third will encourage new shoots, which bear the next season’s blooms.

Propagation from seed is difficult but cuttings of firm, current seasons growth will usually strike readily

Garaldton Wax Flower. Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaProblems, Pests & Diseases:

If grown correctly the geraldton wax plant does not suffer from any serious pests or diseases. It is sensitive to root rot fungus (Phytophora sp.) which is one reason why they can be difficult to grow under humid summer conditions. Other than that, scale is the most likely pest that may occur.

Warning:

We could not find any information on the toxicity of this plant.

In Australia, this species is provisionally classified as schedule 1 under the Sewerage Act. Written approval is required prior to planting it in streets or roads, and it may not be planted closer than two metres to any sewer main or connection.

Heliconia rostrata Image by William Pomares from PixabayCondensed Version:

Heliconias bloom all summer long and their brightly coloured waxy bracts which can be either upright or pendulous, ranging from orange to red and yellow, pink and even green, or a combination of these, often tipped with a bright gold splash. The small true flowers peep out from the bracts, and depending on the species, can be hues of reds, oranges, yellows, and greens.

These perennial plants will arise every year from the rhizomes, with new stems developing after the old plant has finished flowering, creating a continuous display of flowers over the years. The various species vary greatly in height, from +-15cm to over 6m tall.

Ideal growing conditions are humid and warm, and in cold regions they can only be grown in heated glass-houses. In the garden amend the soil with good quality compost enriched with dry leaf matter and a dressing of bone meal, and if your soil does not drain well washed river sand can be incorporated. Slightly acidic soil is best as plants grown in alkaline soil may exhibit iron deficiency in the form of yellowing to white leaves. Potted plants will do well in a mixture of equal parts potting soil, fine wood mulch, and peat moss. The soil should never be allowed to dry out completely.

In the garden they can be grown in full sun or semi-shade locations, but ensure that they receive sufficient sunshine to bloom well. Most species require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, or full morning sun to flower profusely.

Fertilise in spring, and every two months thereafter until autumn using bone meal and a balanced slow release fertiliser. Mulch around their roots regularly, and to keep the clumps neat it is necessary to remove the spent flowering stems regularly by chopping them off close to the ground.

Heliconia 'Red Iris' Picture courtesy PixabayFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Tropical gardeners are lucky to get some of the most fascinating flowering plants to grow, and Heliconias, also commonly called Lobster Claws, Parrot Flowers, and False Bird-of-paradise, are one of them, and sure to command attention all summer long. Learn how to grow them successfully below.

Heliconias, with their brightly coloured waxy bracts which can be either upright or pendulous, and the flower bracts range from orange to red and yellow, pink and even green, or a combination of these, often tipped with a bright gold splash. The small true flowers peep out from the bracts, and depending on the species, can be hues of reds, oranges, yellows, and greens. Flowers do not appear until this perennial is two years old. The purplish-blue fruits are primarily dispersed by birds.

The various species vary greatly in height, from +-15cm to over 6m tall, and they are all herbaceous or non-woody plants that spread by rhizomes, with each stem only flowering once, before drying up and collapsing. The growth habit and leaves of heliconias are very similar to gingers, cannas, strelitzias, and bananas, to which they are related, with large leaves and flowers that immediately remind you of a tropical paradise. The common name false bird-of-paradise refers to their close similarity to the bird-of-paradise flowers (Strelitzia).

Heliconia is a single genus with approximately 350 species, mainly from Central and South America. A small group of about 6 species have evolved separately in the South Pacific, and these are typically characterized by having green inflorescences. In the wild they can be found growing in humid tropical rainforests, in clearings in the forest floor where the sunlight can penetrate, and along river banks. Forest hummingbirds and butterflies like to drink the sweet nectar from the flowers; and the Honduran White Bat lives in tents it makes from the leaves.

Uses:

Some species of heliconia last well in a vase and are grown commercially for the florist's trade.

Heliconia psittacorum' Pink and Orange' Image by virginie l from PixabayIn the Garden:

Heliconias form the centrepiece of so many tropical landscapes all around the world, and a single well-established colony immediately adds a sense of elegance and class to any garden large or small. Smaller growing cultivars will thrive in pots, rewarding the grower with an unending supply of magnificent blooms.

Cultivation:

Ideal growing conditions are humid and warm, similar to a tropical rainforest, and in South Africa heliconias grow best in humid sub-tropical regions like Kwa-Zulu Natal. In cold regions they can only be grown in heated glass-houses. Understanding the native growing conditions of Heliconia should aid in providing the appropriate conditions for growing them.

In the rainforests they thrive in the leaf litter of the forest floor where the soil is moist yet well-drained, and very rich in decaying organic material. In the garden good quality compost enriched with dry leaf matter and a dressing of bone meal would be ideal. If your soil does not drain well washed river sand can be incorporated. Slightly acidic soil is best as plants grown in alkaline soil may exhibit iron deficiency in the form of yellowing to white leaves. Potted plants will do well in a mixture of equal parts potting soil, fine wood mulch, and peat moss.

These perennial plants will arise every year from the rhizomes, with new stems developing after the old plant has finished flowering, creating a continuous display of flowers over the years.

In the garden they can be grown in full sun or semi-shade locations, but ensure that they receive sufficient sunshine to bloom well. In nature they make large colonies in bright clearings in the forest and most species require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, or full morning sun to flower profusely. Plants grown in too much shade usually grow taller, with lush foliage and fewer flowers. Heliconia pendula and Heliconia stricta 'Carli's Sharonii' are two exceptions who enjoy shade. 

Established clumps thrive on frequent tropical showers, and in the garden the soil should never be allowed to dry out completely. Some species such as Heliconia standleyi and Heliconia densiflora 'Fireflash' can even adapt to growing completely in water.

To flower profusely heliconias need fertilising in spring, and every two months thereafter until autumn using bone meal and a balanced slow release fertiliser. Mulch around their roots regularly, and to keep the clumps neat it is necessary to remove the spent flowering stems regularly by chopping them off close to the ground.

Heliconia carabea purpurea Image by ASSY from PixabayPropagation:

Because the plants grow and propagate from underground rhizomes, if you already have them in your garden or wish to take a piece from a friend, this is easily done by carefully removing a small piece to start a new plant.

Heliconia are often sold commercially in the form of rhizome segments, and these should be dipped in a diluted fungicide solution before being planted in free-draining soil. A mixture of perlite, vermiculite, and sterilised potting soil is ideal.

Make sure that the rhizome is not planted too deep, but at the same level at which the plant was originally growing in soil. The planting depth can be determined by markings on the rhizome itself. After planting, the tip of the stalks where the pseudostems (A false stem made of the rolled bases of leaves) were cut from should be wrapped in plastic and secured with a rubber band. This helps to seal moisture within the rhizome and ensures that water does not enter the stems and cause rotting.

Seeds can be difficult, with a long germination period, so follow the instructions below. Because the seed coat is thick, before planting the seeds should be scarified with sandpaper till the endosperm is just reached. This allows water to enter the seed more quickly, thus shortening the germination period.

The seed requires soaking for two to three days in water and should be sown 2 to 5mm deep in well-drained damp seedling compost. Keep well-watered and at a temperature of 30°C until germination occurs after a couple of months. Once germinated, to get them growing strongly, the seedlings will need a temperature of 30°C by day and 18 to 22°C by night, combined with good sunlight.

Heliconia latispata 'Orange Giro' Image courtesy PixabayProblems, Pests & Diseases:

If cultivated correctly in the garden heliconias do not suffer from many pests or diseases

The leaves, roots, and rhizomes of these plants are prey to several plant diseases. Heliconia leaf diseases, in particular, are very common but rarely do lasting harm.

Curling leaves are often caused by a variety of fungi. There are many fungal diseases that cause leaf spots, yellowed edges, curled and distorted leaves, and dropped leaves once the disease has advanced. Most of these are soil borne and can be avoided by watering under the leaves and avoiding water splash. Use fungicides to combat these diseases.

The bacterial wilt caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum also causes heliconia leaf curling and wilting as well as a condition called “firing”, where the leaf edges turn brown. It is very contagious and in areas where it has affected plants the bacteria will remain in the soil, so further planting is not recommended.

Since heliconia are started from rhizome fragments, unhealthy pieces can harbour disease. Always inspect rhizomes before purchasing and planting.

Many fungi cause diseases on the rhizomes, causing rots of varying degrees. A few fungi organisms cause rot within the first few months while others take several years for disease symptoms to appear. In all cases, the plant declines and eventually dies. It is hard to diagnose the cause unless you dig up the plant, exposing the roots and rhizomes to scrutiny. You can prevent such diseases by washing rhizomes prior to planting in a 10% solution of bleach to water.

Root nematodes live in soil and feed on the roots of many species of plants, but are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Several of these tiny roundworms cause heliconia plant diseases. Roots become swollen and develop lesions and knots. This results in nutrient and water uptake interruption leading to yellow leaves, curling, wilting, and overall poor plant health. A hot water bath is the current suggested prevention. Dip rhizomes in hot water 50°C for 15 minutes and then immediately dunk into a cold-water bath. In commercial production, soil fumigation is used but there are no products listed for the home gardener.

The most common pest is the mealy bug, found on the underside of the leaf.  It can also attack the flower bracts.

Warning:

We did not find Heliconia listed and poisonous but did find some references to it being listed as mildly toxic to cats. Also, be advised that the consumption of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset for dogs and cats.

It is also always advisable to supervise small children at all times in the garden.

An allergy caused by plants is another important aspect every gardener should know, and Heliconia allergy is toxic and can cause a serious reaction.

Jatropha integerrima 'Compacta' Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaThis shrub is no longer freely available in South Africa, but I have left it here for identification purposes.

Jatropha is a succulent shrub or small tree from the West Indies . It is spectacular when in bloom and has attractive evergreen, glossy green leaves. Star shaped bright scarlet or vermilion flowers appear during spring, summer and autumn.

In the tropics it can grow into a small tree up to 4m tall but in the garden it will grow between 2 to 3m tall and can spread as wide. Jatropha grows several slender trunks but it can be pruned into a single trunk to prevent it spreading so wide.

Use it as an accent plant in the mixed shrub border. It grows easily in containers but resents disturbance so try not to re-pot unless it is absolutely necessary. More compact growing varieties are available.

Jatropha integerrima 'Compacta' Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaesnurseryJatropha is tender to frost and grows best in the warm, moist, sub-tropical regions of South Africa.  It will grow in full sun or light shade and tolerates a wide variety of soils, as long as they are well-drained. Water regularly during dry spells but do not overwater.

The plant blooms on the current year's growth so it can be pruned at any time of the year.

Propagate from cuttings taken in early spring.

WARNING: Jatropha belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and contains a milky sap that can irritate sensitive skin. All parts of the plant are reported to be poisonous if ingested.

Bauhinia natalensis Picture courtesy Barbol from flickrCondensed Version:

Bauhinia natalensis is a small to medium sized shrub or small tree which grows relatively fast to 1.5 to 2m tall, but can reach 2.5m tall with a 3m spread at maturity. It does not have an aggressive root system, and regular clipping will keep it smaller. It is the daintiest of the South African bauhinia species with its small yet distinctive butterfly-shaped leaves. In summer it produces large, lightly scented white flowers, with some of the petals adorned with delicate maroon-red or deep pink stripes,

It thrives in hot and humid, frost-free regions and is fairly sensitive to frost when young, but once established will tolerate light winter frost. In colder regions it will lose all its leaves in winter, re-sprouting again when conditions improve. It is not adversely affected by heavy winter rainfall, making it perfect for the winter rainfall regions as long as the soil drains well and it is watered moderately in summer.

Although the plant will grow in sun or semi-shade, plants grown in full sun flower better and have a more compact form than those grown in shade. It grows on poor soils, but will adapt to most garden soils which drain well, thriving in fertile, well-composted soils. In poor soils feed regularly with a general purpose fertiliser in summer and apply an annual top dressing of compost and mulch in spring. Young plants need heavy drenching until they are well established, but once established only a moderate amount of water throughout the year is required.

Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Many of the almost 300 species of Bauhinia, also called “orchid trees” or “camelsfoot” are popular garden subjects in subtropical or tropical regions of the world for their decorative foliage and abundance of beautiful flowers.  They belong to one of the world’s largest plant families, the legume or Fabaceae family, which has more than 18 000 species, distributed mainly across the tropics of Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Bauhinia natalensis is a small to medium sized shrub, and the daintiest of the South African bauhinia species with its small yet distinctive butterfly-shaped leaves. In summer it produces large, lightly scented white flowers, with some of the petals adorned with delicate maroon-red or deep pink stripes, which are said to be directional guides to night-flying insects like moths.

Flowering occurs for a long period in summer and flowering times may vary according to region. The trees can erupt into bloom on a regular basis, normally shortly after rain, but the main flowering time is from November to April and is so profuse that almost the entire bush is covered with blooms. Small golden brown fruit pods with pointed tips follow the flowers, ripening from January to June before splitting open and scattering the tiny brown seeds.

This plant grows relatively fast, and can be grow as a shrub or small tree. It typically grows to 1.5 to 2m tall, but can reach 2.5m tall with a 3m spread at maturity. Regular clipping will keep it smaller.

Although easy to grow and well suited to cultivation, it is rare in the wild, and its distribution is confined to the Eastern Cape and the southern KwaZulu-Natal coastal strip, where it can be found growing in valley bushveld and scrub, to an altitude of 1 250m. The Afrikaans common name “beesklou” (cattle foot) refers to the resemblance of the leaf to the footprint of cloven-hoofed animals.

White-bellied and other sunbirds visit the flowers, and it is a host plant for the Bushveld and Giant Emperor butterfly’s larva where they occur, and it may also be host to some moth larvae.

In the Garden:

The Natal bauhinia is suitable for gardens large and small because it does not have an aggressive root system and it can easily be pruned to keep it smaller. It also does well in containers, and is sought after by bonsai growers, so even if you only have a small balcony garden you can grow one.

It makes a statement when grown as a solitary specimen, but looks especially lovely when grown in groups of three of five. It is also a wonderful filler plant for the mixed shrub border, a great choice to plant against fences and walls, and is very effective near to water features and ponds. Because of its multi-stemmed growth habit it can make a pretty informal or formal hedge if it is clipped into shape regularly.

Cultivation:

The Natal bauhinia is a fast growing, multi-stemmed evergreen which starts flowering when young, and will reach maturity within a few years. It thrives in hot and humid, frost-free regions and is fairly sensitive to frost when young, but once established will tolerate light winter frost. In colder regions it will lose all its leaves in winter, re-sprouting again when conditions improve. In these regions plant in a sheltered north facing spot and cover young plants with a frost cover. Although the Natal bauhinia experiences dry winters in its natural habitat it is not adversely affected by heavy winter rainfall, making it perfect for the winter rainfall regions as long as the soil drains well and it is watered moderately in summer.

Although the plant will grow in sun or semi-shade, plants grown in full sun flower better and have a more compact, rounded form than those grown in shade. The Natal bauhinia grows on poor soils, but will adapt to most garden soils which drain well, thriving in fertile, well-composted soils. In poor soils feed regularly with a general purpose fertiliser in summer and apply an annual top dressing of compost and mulch in spring.

Young plants need heavy drenching until they are well established, but once established only a moderate amount of water throughout the year is required, and over watering will actually reduce the flower crop. Because this plant will tolerate almost any given rainfall, it is considered to be quite drought hardy and a great 'water-wise' plant for the garden.

The Natal bauhinia is naturally neat and does not require pruning, although a light trim occasionally will keep it in perfect shape.

Propagation:

The Natal bauhinia may seed itself freely in the garden, and the small seedlings can be dug up and transplanted into individual pots to grow on as soon as the first pair of true leaves appears.

Fresh seeds sown in spring germinate easily within two weeks, and soaking the seeds in warm water overnight will speed up the germination process. To prevent pre and post-emergence damping off, the seed should be treated with a fungicide prior to sowing, or watered with a fungicide immediately after sowing. Sow 1 to 2mm deep in sandy, well-drained seedling soil. The seedlings should be potted up into individual bags or pots as soon as the first pair of true leaves appears.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

The Natal bauhinia does not suffer from any serious pests or diseases, making it ideal for gardeners who do not want to use sprays in the garden.

Warning:

This plant is not listed as poisonous but it is always advisable to supervise small children in the garden and to discourage pets from chewing on plants.

Condensed Version:

The copperleaf is a handsome tropical evergreen which is loved for its brightly coloured heart shaped leaves, and is available in many colours, and variegations of red, copper, brown, yellow, orange, pink, green and cream. It is one of the most reliable and versatile plants for frost-free gardens, providing year round colour. It is often planted as a screening or hedging plant, but works equally well as contrast plant in the mixed shrub border. The smaller varieties make excellent potted plants for patios and entrances, making the copperleaf suitable for gardens of all sizes.

It goes without saying that the copperleaf needs a warm frost-free location, preferably sheltered from the wind. It thrives in all the warm, humid, and moist summer rainfall regions of South Africa, both inland and at the coast. In the winter rainfall regions it will require regular watering in summer.
 
The copperleaf loves full sun and requires regular watering in dry weather. Interestingly, soil and nutrition effects leaf colour, and on less fertile soils the colours can be less vibrant, so plant in humus rich soil which drains well, and keep the plant well-fed by applying a complete fertiliser in spring. Adding about a hundred grams of sulphate of potash in spring and autumn will help to bring out the foliage colour even more.

Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

This handsome tropical evergreen is native to Fiji and nearby islands in the South Pacific, and remains one of the most popular shrubs for coastal, tropical, and subtropical gardens throughout the world. The copperleaf is grown for its brightly coloured heart shaped leaves, and is available in many colours, and variegations of red, copper, brown, yellow, orange, pink, green and cream. Insignificant male and female flower spikes appear in summer, and both are borne on the same plant, but look different. They are 10 to 20 cm long, and are usually held amongst the foliage.

These plants belong to the Euphorbiaceae family, and there are more than 400 species in the Acalypha genus ranging from ground covers to large shrubs, with the most well-known member being the Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherimma). The showy foliage of the copperleaf has always captured the imagination of gardeners around the world, and plant breeders have been hard at work developing even more stunning cultivars of various colours and leaf forms. These vary in height from 1 to 3m tall, making the copperleaf suitable for gardens of all sizes - even a single potted specimen will bring the warmth of the tropics into your garden.

Interestingly, despite their great diversity, the plants we grow in our gardens today are not hybrids, but are rather cultivars of one species, Acalypha wilkesiana.  Cultivated acalyphas, like many other popular foliage plants from the Pacific region, seem to be quite unstable, and the bushes are prone to suddenly growing branches of a different colour or leaf shape. Occasionally they may even revert back to the parent plant, giving us an idea of their origins. More rarely, they may grow branches with entirely new colours and leaf shapes, so keep a vigilant eye on your bushes, and if you spot a beautiful but different branch of copperleaf, you might have something very special and new growing in your own garden.

Acalpha wilkesiana. Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaValued by the locals, acalyphas were grown throughout the Pacific Islands, and were traded and shared along with other familiar plants such as Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cultivars), cordylines (Cordyline fruticosa cultivars), Crotons (Codiaeum variegatum cultivars), Aralias (Polyscias cultivars), and Gardenias. Thus the Pacific Islands became fertile hunting grounds for Victorian plant hunters who were constantly searching for new and exotic ‘stove house plants’ to decorate the conservatories of their wealthy patrons in England and on the continent.

Surprisingly, many of the popular cultivars we still grow in our gardens today, were also being grown many centuries ago in the gardens of pre-colonial Pacific Islanders, and we know this due to entries in the diaries of plant hunters like William Guilfoyle, John Gould Veitch and many others. Some of the most lucrative locations for these hunters were remote villages in southern Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa and Fiji, hence common name Fijian Fire Plant.

In the Victorian era acalypha hit new heights - brought in from far flung colonies, they were expensive and considered highly exotic plants to be collected and showcased in conservatories. Because of their ease of propagation, the copperleaf soon became widespread in gardens and was often even used as a summer bedding plant. It remained a popular garden plant, but like many other exotic plants, its popularity started to wane as other more fashionable plants of the day took centre stage.

Another surge of popularity occurred during the 1950’s following the return of servicemen from the Pacific and Asia, and gardeners once again celebrated the exotic and colourful leaves of the copperleaf, but its popularity was once again a short lived affair and by the 1970’s the plant was once again passé. By the 1990’s the copperleaf was once again in vogue, largely due to the surge of interest in tropical Balinese gardens and exotic tropical holidays.

Happily, the copperleaf has survived all these fashionable gardening trends, and remains a mainstay for tropical gardener. And, if this beautiful plant is used with discretion in a garden, it remains one of the most reliable plants for frost-free gardens.

Acalypha wilkesiana grows about 2m tall but many varieties are available that vary in height from 1 to 3m tall with different leaf forms and colours:

(Acalypha wilkesiana 'Marginata') has coppery-green leaves with pink or crimson margins.

(Acalypha 'Macrophylla') has larger leaves, variegated with bronze, cream, yellow and red.

(Acalypha 'Musaica') has leaves mottled with orange and red.

(Acalypha 'Godseffiana') has narrow, drooping leaves with cream coloured margins.

(Acalypha 'Cherry Chocolate') grows about 3m tall and has with large, dark brown leaves that are mottled with red.

(Acalypha 'Ivy's Jungle Joy') grows about 2m tall with large, green leaves that are mottled with bright red.

(Acalypha 'Java Yellow') grows about 1.5m tall and has striking medium-sized, golden leaves.

(Acalypha 'Pink Sport') grows about 2m tall and has coppery leaves, veined with shades of pink.

(Acalypha 'Sunset Hue') grows about 1m tall and has leaves mottled with pink, green and yellow.

(Acalypha 'Tropica') grows about 1 to 2m tall and has leaves in tones of red.

Uses:

Many members of this family are very poisonous, so it might come as a surprise to hear that Acalypha wilkesiana leaves were eaten as a green vegetable. However, it was not the colourful cultivars that were eaten, but a specific green leaved cultivar which has much softer, thinner leaves, Today it is generally regarded as a ‘famine food’ in its native lands.

Surprisingly, established plants are quite drought tolerant, and in western Queensland, Australia, where Acalypha are known as ‘salt bushes’, they often grown to provide stock feed during periods of drought.

In the Garden:

The copperleaf is such a versatile plant for frost-free gardens, providing year round colour. It is often planted as a screening or hedging plant, but works equally well as contrast plant in the mixed shrub border. Try mixing them with other tropical beauties like,  Hibiscus, Cordylines, Crotons, Aralias and of course, Gardenias.

The smaller varieties make excellent potted plants for patios and entrances, making the copperleaf suitable for gardens of all sizes.

Cultivation/Propagation:

It goes without saying that the copperleaf needs a warm frost-free location, preferably sheltered from the wind. It thrives in all the warm, humid, and moist summer rainfall regions of South Africa, both inland and at the coast. In the winter rainfall regions it will require regular watering in summer.

The copperleaf loves full sun and requires regular watering in dry weather. Interestingly, soil and nutrition effects leaf colour, and on less fertile soils the colours can be less vibrant, so plant in humus rich soil which drains well, and keep the plant well-fed by applying a complete fertiliser in spring. Adding about a hundred grams of sulphate of potash in spring and autumn will help to bring out the foliage colour even more.

Some gardeners focus on providing the essential minor nutrients by using a high quality organic or biological fertiliser containing balanced, ground, rock minerals and humates (humic acid), complimenting this regime with monthly foliar applications of fish fertilizer (marine not freshwater) and seaweed. The latter is particularly valuable during dry weather or prior to colder weather. Ensuring that your soil pH is between 6.5 and 7, and mulching seasonally with a generous layer of organic matter will also go a long way to ensuring breath-taking leaf colours.  

As gardeners soon realize, the copperleaf is extremely easy to grow from cuttings, and if you live in the tropics or subtropics, cuttings can simply be poked in situ into garden beds during the wet season. Division of the clumps in spring also works well, as does softwood cuttings taken in early spring, or semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer. Using bottom heat will speed up growth.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

Acalyphas are not prone to any diseases and are troubled by few pests. However, the large succulent leaves are attractive to chewing insects like grasshoppers. Control these pests by spraying a mixture of molasses and water. The stickiness keeps the insects away, or alternatively, spray with a safe insecticide like pyrethrum. Plants can also be susceptible to mealy bugs and red spider mites.

Warning:

Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Contact with the clear sap can cause severe dermatitis.