Welcome to Gardening in South Africa!

Duranta erectaCondensed Version:

These striking plants are grown for their beautiful leaves and drooping clusters of flowers all summer, or year round in tropical regions. The flowers are followed by spectacular orange-yellow berries, often the berries and flowers display on the plant at the same time, doubling the impact.

There are a number of varieties belonging to the species some have beautiful glossy green leaves and spectacular drooping clusters of flowers and fruits; while others have striking golden foliage. Flowers vary in colour from mauve to white and violet to light blue, depending on the variety. Some species have sharp spines on the branches and garden hybrids vary greatly in height and spread, so choose your plants carefully.

These exotic evergreens thrive in the humid and frost-free sub-tropical regions of the country and grow well at the coast. They are not suited to very dry areas, and in the winter rainfall regions will require regular watering in summer. If they are planted in a warm and sheltered spot in the garden and the roots are mulched in winter, they will tolerate light to moderate frost, but the plants will shed their leaves.

If moisture is adequate Duranta grow and flower best in full sun, but plants will take semi-shade. They prefer well-drained, moderately fertile soils but will adapt to most garden soils. Duranta are fast growing if watered and fertilised regularly.

Full Version:

'Gold Mine'Description, History & Interesting Facts:

These striking plants are grown for their beautiful leaves and drooping clusters of flowers all summer, or year round in tropical regions. The flowers are followed by spectacular orange-yellow berries, often the berries and flowers display on the plant at the same time, doubling the impact.

There are a number of varieties belonging to the species some have beautiful glossy green leaves and spectacular drooping clusters of flowers and fruits; while others have striking golden foliage. Flowers vary in colour from mauve to white and violet to light blue, depending on the variety. Some species have sharp spines on the branches and garden hybrids vary greatly in height and spread, so choose your plants carefully.

Duranta belongs to the verbena family and there are about 30 species, native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas; from the Caribbean and southern USA to Mexico and Brazil. In its natural state Duranta commonly grows in rocky or sandy coastal areas in full sun; or on moister, disturbed sites inland.

(Duranta erecta 'Sapphire Showers') Nothing gathers attention like the striking deep violet-blue flowers of sapphire showers with their pretty white edges. The branches are spineless and mature plants develop an almost weeping habit when mature. If left un-pruned it can reach over 7m tall with a spread of over 3m; but in the garden it can be trimmed to keep it +-2m tall and 1m wide.

(Duranta stenostachya 'Mini Gold') has beautiful golden foliage and a compact growth habit; +-50cm to 100cm in height. It is excellent for low hedges and borders; as well as containers; and requires less pruning to stay in shape.

(Duranta erecta 'Sheena's Gold') is a very attractive Duranta with beautiful golden foliage and blue flowers; If left un-pruned it can reach 2m tall but is easily trimmed to any height. In the garden it is generally kept +-1.5m tall and +-1m wide. The leaves are more brilliant in full sun, but it can be grown in semi-shade. It makes a lovely feature plant or low hedge, and grows well in tubs.

'Sheena's Gold'(Duranta stenostachya 'Lime Glow') is another lovely foliage plant with its light lime-green leaves which are flushed with purple in winter; and its soft mauve flowers. It can be trimmed to any height, but if left un-pruned it can reach +-3m tall and 3m wide. It is a lovely formal or informal hedging plant.

(Duranta erecta 'Gold Mine') is a beautiful lime green to gold and green leaved shrub with powder-blue flowers, adding brilliant colour and texture to any garden. If left un-pruned it can reach 3m tall, but it can be clipped into any shape, and is generally kept +-1.5 to 2m tall and +-1 to 1.2m wide .It thrives in sun to semi-shade.

(Duranta erecta 'Variegata') has green leaves with creamy-yellow margins, and pretty lavender-blue flowers. It grows +-2 to 3m tall and the branches have sharp spines, making it a good barrier or hedging plant.

(Duranta erecta) is a large erect shrub with glossy green leaves, lavender-blue flowers and large clusters of orange-yellow berries. It can grow to 6m tall with an equal spread if left un-pruned.

(Duranta erecta 'Alba') is a medium widely spreading shrub with lime green foliage, bearing long sprays of snow white flowers.  This Duranta is highly recommended for difficult landscape environments, particularly in poorly drained salty areas.

In the Garden:

Duranta suits all types of gardens; modern, contemporary, cottage, Mediterranean, oriental and tropical. They respond well to pruning making them ideal for both informal or formal screens and hedges; as well as for topiary or standard plants. They also grow easily in containers and will attract bees, butterflies and birds to your garden.

'Sapphire Showers'Cultivation/Propagation:

These exotic evergreens thrive in the humid and frost-free sub-tropical regions of the country and grow well at the coast. They are not suited to very dry areas, and in the winter rainfall regions will require regular watering in summer. If they are planted in a warm and sheltered spot in the garden and the roots are mulched in winter, they will tolerate light to moderate frost, but the plants will shed their leaves.

If moisture is adequate Duranta grow and flower best in full sun, but plants will take semi-shade. They prefer well-drained, moderately fertile soils but will adapt to most garden soils. Duranta are fast growing if watered and fertilised regularly.

In most gardens Duranta needs regular pruning and trimming to maintain bushy, compact growth. Care must be taken however, not to remove all the flower buds at the same time. With a little bit of sensitivity and common sense, this is not too hard to achieve, as the plant flowers so profusely through the summer. Alternatively, it can be trained into a small tree with a single trunk, but will require regular pruning because of its rapid growth rate.

Propagation is from softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in spring or summer, with bottom heat.

Caution:

Duranta erecta is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens throughout the world, and has become naturalized in many places. It is considered an invasive species in Australia, China, and on several Pacific Islands. In South Africa it is on the proposed declared invader list because it invades tropical and subtropical savanna, woodland, forest edges, riverbanks and other moist sites as well as ravines and hillsides.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

The Duranta bush resists disease but is susceptible to a variety of bugs, including scale insects, mealy bugs and nematodes. A scale insect infestation isn’t usually lethal, and you can control their populations by spraying the entire plant with horticultural oil in the dormant season. Mealybugs congregate in tell-tale cottony masses, and you can control them by spraying them off the plant with a garden hose. Nematodes live in the soil and feed on roots. They can kill a Duranta bush grown as an annual but rarely kill this plant when it’s grown as a woody shrub.

Warning:

The leaves bark and fruit of Duranta is poisonous to human's cats and dogs.

 See under Trees

'Rainbow Surprise'Condensed Version:

Many wonderful variegated varieties of mirror bushes are available today in many exciting colours. The plants also vary greatly in size from groundcovers and small shrubs to larger growing specimens.

Mirror bushes are evergreen and will grow in semi-shade or full sun. They are extremely tolerant to coastal exposure, and in humid coastal regions they can be planted in full sun. In hot inland gardens they are best planted in semi-shade, and in other regions they are perfect in shade or sun. They are tender to severe frost, but will tolerate moderate frost if they are grown in a protected part of the garden, or are covered in winter.

Although they thrive in sandy well drained soils at the coast, mirror bushes will grow in almost all garden soils, even well-prepared clay. In very sandy soils adding generous quantities of compost when planting, together with regular mulching, will encourage good growth and save on watering. Apply a balanced organic fertiliser in spring, and prune into shape as required.

Although the mirror bush is water wise and drought tolerant once it is established, to keep it looking at its best in the garden water regularly during dry and hot summer months. Watch out for overwatering as this causes the leaves to drop.

'Pink Splendour'Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Coprosma repens is a native of New Zealand where it is called by many names: Taupata, Tee Bedstraw, Mirror Bush, Looking-glass Bush, New Zealand Laurel, and Shiny Leaf. This shrub or small tree with its glossy green leaves can be found growing on exposed coastal cliffs as well as in more sheltered areas. The spring or summer flowers are insignificant, and the female plants produce orange-red fruits, which are a valuable food source for birds in their native habitat.

In many coastal areas of Australia it has become naturalised, and its growth habit varies greatly according to the situation in which it is grown. In exposed coastal regions it has small leaves and assumes a prostrate habit, and in more sheltered positions it has larger leaves and can grow as a small tree up to 8 metres in height.

'Coffee Cream' Picture courtesy TuberfloraThe bad news is that when the highly adaptive green-leaved Coprosma repens is grown in optimum climatic conditions, like hot frost free regions with an annual rainfall of over 600mm or more, and on good soils, it tends to become a weed. This fact has forced many countries like Australia and South Africa to ban its marketing.

The good news is that the colourful plant varieties available for gardeners are not invasive because they are reproduced only from cuttings from selected male or female plants, and many do not bloom at all.

Thanks to talented plant breeders who saw the potential of Coprosma repens, many wonderful variegated varieties are available today in many exciting colours. The plants also vary greatly in size from groundcovers and small shrubs to larger growing specimens.

(Coprosma repens 'Marble Chips') grows +-2m tall and spreads almost as wide. Its green leaves are irregularly margined or speckled with creamy-white.

(Coprosma repens ‘Taupata Gold’) grows +-2m tall with almost equal spread and has decorative dark yellow leaves with bright green centres.

(Coprosma repens 'Coffee & Cream') grows +-2m tall and has green leaves with prominent creamy-yellow leaf margins.

(Coprosma repens ‘Variegata’) grows +-1.5m tall and has green leaves with a creamy-white border.

(Coprosma repens 'Copper Shine') grows +-1.5m tall and has dark green leaves overlaid with copper hues.

(Coprosma repens 'Silver Queen') grows +-1.5m tall and has a neat and compact growth habit. It has deep green leaves with silvery sheen and silvery creamy-white margins.

(Coprosma repens 'Taupata Gold') grows +-1.5m tall and has soft golden yellow leaves with dark green centres.

(Coprosma repens 'Pink Splendour') grows +-1 to 1.5m tall and has green, pink and cream leaves, which darken in winter, putting on a spectacular show.  

(Coprosma repens 'Marginata') grows +-1 to 1.5m tall and has light yellow margined leaves.

(Coprosma repens 'Picturata') grows +-1m tall and spreads wider than it is tall. It has green leaves, blotched with gold in the centre.

(Coprosma repens ‘Pacific Night’) has an upright growth habit +-1m tall, with lovely purple to burgundy leaves.

(Coprosma repens ‘Pacific Sunrise’) grows +-1m tall and has yummy chocolate coloured foliage highlighted in hot pink.

(Coprosma repens ‘Pacific Sunset’) grows no taller than 1m and has wave-shaped leaves consisting of vivid red centres framed by burgundy to chocolate brown margins.  The colour is most intense in autumn and winter, and it is sure to be a ‘head turner’.

(Coprosma 'Yvonne') grows +-1m tall and has a compact form with brownish-green leaves, which soften to chocolate-brown.

(Coprosma 'Rainbow Surprise') grows +-80cm tall and is a small cultivar with small pink and yellow-green leaves, which darken in winter.

'Marble Chips' Picture courtesy TuberfloraIn the Garden:

Mirror bushes are very versatile low maintenance and water-wise plants which are used to add interest and contrast to garden beds. And because they grow beautifully in pots and come in all sizes, mirror bushes are good choices for gardens large and small.

The plant’s resistance to drought, poor soil, wind and salt spray is remarkable, making it suitable for planting in difficult areas such as coastal areas, and those prone to poor rainfall. Also remarkable is the way fire will kill only the top growth but the plant will survive and regenerate from the roots.

Coprosma are excellent for coastal re-vegetation planting and make excellent windbreaks in windswept coastal gardens.

Their dense growth habit and high-gloss leaves make them great background and foreground screening shrubs. And because they can be trimmed into shape at any time during the year, they also make lovely topiaries, hedging and screening plants.

They are excellent planted on banks and are wonderful to plant underneath trees, and if used as a filler plant underneath palms, will help to create a tropical look in your garden.

All varieties, but especially the smaller growing types, are enchanting when planted in pots.

'Picturata' Picture courtesy TuberfloraTheir colourful foliage is prized by floral artists because it lasts well in a vase and gives a polished appearance to arrangements.

Cultivation/Propagation:

Mirror bushes are evergreen and will grow in semi-shade or full sun. They are extremely tolerant to coastal exposure, and in humid coastal regions they can be planted in full sun. In hot inland gardens they are best planted in semi-shade, and in other regions they are perfect in shade or sun. They are tender to severe frost, but will tolerate moderate frost if they are grown in a protected part of the garden, or are covered in winter.

Although they thrive in sandy well drained soils at the coast, mirror bushes will grow in almost all garden soils, even well-prepared clay. In very sandy soils adding generous quantities of compost when planting, together with regular mulching, will encourage good growth and save on watering. Apply a balanced organic fertiliser in spring, and prune into shape as required.

Although the mirror bush is water wise and drought tolerant once it is established, to keep it looking at its best in the garden water regularly during dry and hot summer months. Watch out for overwatering as this causes the leaves to drop.

'Taupata Gold' Picture courtesy TuberfloraPropagation is extremely easy from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer and autumn.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

When Coprosma is grown correctly it is almost completely pest and disease free, making it ideal for eco conscious gardeners. Sometimes, and especially if grown under a roof, scales, mealy bugs and aphids can affect the plant, but they are easily treated with the appropriate formulations.

Warning:

Coprosma repens has no toxic effects reported, but it is always best to supervise small children in a garden and to discourage pets from chewing on plants.

Clerodendron ugandenseCondensed Version:

The butterfly bush is strikingly beautiful with its heavenly flowers which sprout from the ends of long arching branches, blooming almost continuously from spring to autumn. Each flower has one violet-blue petal and four pale blue ones, framed by long purple anthers which bend elegantly upwards. The leaves are dark green and evergreen, giving a wonderful tropical feel to the garden all year round. As this plant does not have an aggressive root system and grows easily in a pot, it is perfect for gardens large or small.

It grows quickly and varies in height and spread. If left un-pruned, it can reach 2 to 4m tall with an equal spread, but is easily be pruned at any time to keep it smaller, and amazingly, it will be flowering once again within three to four weeks!

The butterfly bush grows best in warm, moist, frost-free regions. It is not suitable for very dry regions, unless it can be watered well during dry periods. However, the plant will tolerate much colder conditions than most tropical plants, as long as it is planted in a warm protected position in the garden and the roots are thickly mulched in winter. In cold regions it is deciduous and may even be frozen right back to ground level, but will usually return in spring if the roots are mulched. It makes a wonderful conservatory plant and is often grown in a pot which can be moved indoors in winter.

The butterfly bush will grow in full sun, shade or semi-shade. Partial shade is recommended in areas where summers are very hot. It thrives in organically rich, well-drained soils and should be fed regularly with a fertiliser like 3:1:5. Although established specimens can withstand considerable periods of drought, regular applications of water will keep you plants looking at their best. Reduce watering in winter, especially in cold regions.

Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.zaFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

The butterfly bush is strikingly beautiful, and because blue remains the most rare and sought-after flower colour for gardens, this plant fits the bill perfectly with its heavenly blue to purple flowers which resemble fanciful butterflies, hence its common name "blue butterfly bush." The fluttering flower panicles sprout from the ends of long arching branches, and each flower has one violet-blue petal and four pale blue ones, framed by long purple anthers which bend elegantly upwards, hence its other common name "blue cat's whiskers".

The plant will bloom almost continuously from spring to autumn, but typically flowers most heavily when the temperatures cool down in autumn. The flowers are a firm favourite with carpenter bees and lure butterflies with their nectar; and the showy, black fleshy fruits are devoured by birds and monkeys.

The dark green evergreen leaves give a wonderful tropical feel to the garden all year round, but when crushed they have a pungent, even rank smell. This smell is what makes the bush repellent to most insects and pests, which in return, reduces the need for spraying in the garden.

The blue butterfly bush remains a highly sought after garden plant for tropical and subtropical gardens alike. However, if you live in the colder regions of the country, and simply have to try one, the good news is Rotheca myricoides will tolerate much colder conditions than most tropical plants, as long as it is planted in a warm and protected position in the garden, or perhaps in a pot which can be moved in winter.

Rotheca is a member of that quite large Lamiaceae or mint family, but until 1998 Rotheca wasn't really a recognized genus until phlogenetic DNA analysis set things straight. The genus comprises of about 30 species, and members include shrubs, perennial herbs, and a few lianas and small trees.
 
The blue butterfly bush is native to tropical Africa and is particularly abundant in Kenya and Uganda, but can also be found wild in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. It is commonly found growing in sheltered groves in rocky places, or along hillsides and river banks, open woodlands and along the margins of evergreen forests, shrubby bushveld, and in coastal bush, from Natal to Transkei, at elevations of up to 1400m.

Because the butterfly bush is a sprawling evergreen with a weak upright growth habit, it is often listed as a vine, although it is far too rangy or bushy to be considered a true vine. In the garden, the plant grows quickly and varies in height and spread. If left un-pruned, and in warm regions, it can reach 2 to 4m tall with an equal spread, but it can easily be pruned at any time to keep it smaller, and amazingly, it will be flowering once again within three to four weeks!

Uses:

The edible fruits are taken as a remedy for skin ailments. The bark has numerous antifungal properties, and is crushed to a powder after which it is used to treat snakebites, reduce bodily swellings and relief indigestion. It is also used to treat colds, chest pains and headaches, as well as being applied to bleeding gums.

The root bark is said to be an effective treatment against fever in cattle, and diarrhoea in calves, and the root itself is said to help improve spleen and liver ailments.

In the Garden:

As it does not have an aggressive root system, the blue butterfly bush is perfect for gardens large or small, and has been cultivated in botanical gardens for almost 100 years. Because blue is an unusual colour for the tropics, it is prized by collectors and considered to be one of the finest blue flowered subtropical plants. It can be pruned to keep it almost any size and is a great candidate for pot culture. Because it grows really quickly, and the flowers are produced in abundance throughout summer and well into autumn, the butterfly bush ideal for small or townhouse gardens, as well as patio planting.

Planted gregariously, the plant looks wonderful in a flowerbed or mixed shrub border, but looks just as lovely when planted as a single specimen. It can also be trimmed to make a sturdy border or screen, and can even be trained as a climber if given support. All this, plus the plants great insect repellent qualities – what more can a gardener ask for!

Cultivation/Propagation:

The butterfly bush grows best in warm, moist, frost-free regions, thriving in the Lowveld and along the KwaZulu-Natal coast. It is not suitable for very dry regions, but if it is watered well during dry periods, will do well in East London, and can be grown successfully in the southern and south-western Cape.

The plant will tolerate much colder conditions than most tropical plants, as long as it is planted in a warm protected position in the garden and the roots are thickly mulched in winter. Usually it is sold as hardy to a minimum of 3°C, but the plant has been known to survive short spells of temperatures as low as -1° and even -5°C outdoors. Always remember, young and unestablished plants are more vulnerable and should always be sheltered from extreme cold and wind.

In cold regions it is deciduous and may even be frozen right back to ground level, but will usually return in spring if the roots are mulched. It makes a wonderful conservatory plant and is often grown in a pot which can be moved indoors in winter.
The butterfly bush is not fussy and will grow in full sun, shade or semi-shade. Partial shade is recommended in areas where summers are very hot. It thrives in organically rich, well-drained soils and should be fed regularly with a fertiliser like 3:1:5. Although established specimens can withstand considerable periods of drought if need be, regular applications of water will keep you plants looking at their best. Reduce watering in winter, especially in cold regions.
 
Pruning can be done at any time to keep the plant in shape, and if it is grown in containers it can be clipped to maintain a rounded shrub. Cutting the old wood back to a pair of buds will improve flowering.

Propagation is by suckers, or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer, they root well in perlite. Seeds will usually germinate within 21 to 60 days, but even under good conditions germination may be erratic. Sow in spring or summer at a depth of +-3mm, in a well-drained seed sowing mix; the ideal soil germination temperature is about 22°C.

Caution: In tropical regions, blue butterfly bush is an aggressive plant that tends to spread and may become invasive, so be vigilant about removing any suckers that pop up out of bounds if you don’t want a small forest.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

The pungent leaves and twigs seem to repel most insects, and this plant is not easily affected by most plant diseases or pests.

Warning:

Some parts of the tree have been recorded as being toxic if ingested, and care should be taken when small children are near.

The information contained within this website is for educational purposes only, recording the traditional uses of specific plants as recorded through history. Always seek advice from a medical practitioner before starting a home treatment programme.

Brunfelsia 'Eximea' Mature SpecimenCondensed Version:

Gardeners from all over the world love to grow this magnificent shrub for its abundance of headily fragrant flowers which smother the bushes in spring, with a smaller flush in late summer, or anytime during the year if it likes its location. The flowers open deep mauve, then change to lavender and finally fade to white, and it is these three shades of flowers which are displayed simultaneously on the plants

Brunfelsia pauciflora 'Eximia' is a medium-sized, rounded bush which will reach a height of 3 to 4m and a spread of 2.5 to 3m after 5 to 10 years. It produces an abundance of large flowers in shades of violet-blue, lilac and white.

Brunfelsia pauciflora 'Floribunda' is very similar to ‘Eximia’ but smaller, and this medium-sized, rounded bush will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 2.5m after 5 to 10 years. It produces an abundance of large flowers, in shades of violet-blue, lilac and white.

(Brunfelsia undulata) is a very frost sensitive species with narrow and slender oval leaves. The flowers are snow-white with scalloped edges and in warm climates the new flowers appear all the time, and have a wonderful sweet scent.  This lovely shrub is becoming harder to find, but it is definitely worth trying to source.

Brunfelsia grows best in warmly temperate to subtropical zones that receive good summer rainfall, thriving in the humid subtropical regions of the country, and at the coast, as long as they are protected from strong winds and are watered well. They are not suited to very dry regions, and if grown in the winter rainfall regions the shrubs will require regular watering in summer.

Although they are listed as tender to frost, it is amazing how hardy they can be if they are sited in a sheltered part of the garden.  Even in more exposed positions, established plants will tolerate moderate, and even spells of quite severe frost, which will damage the top growth. This can be pruned back after flowering in spring and the plant will quickly recover in summer.

Although brunfelsias will tolerate full sun, they flourish in a semi-shaded position in the garden. They are generally semi-deciduous, dropping all their leaves in spring just before the flowers appear, but immediately pushing forth their gorgeous, fresh green leaves. In colder regions the plant will drop leaves in winter as well.

They require good rich soil which holds moisture well but also has good drainage, preferring slightly acid soil just below neutral 7. Potted plants will need a good potting soil, and although most potting soils tend to be slightly acidic, you can add some peat moss or dried pine needles, which are acidic. 

The right pH is essential to avoid chlorosis, which is a yellowing of the leaves, and is especially evident in alkaline soils. To avoid this add a generous amount of acid compost to the planting hole, together with a good dusting of bone meal to encourage strong root growth. Chlorosis can also be corrected by feeding with iron chelate or Epsom salts, as well as mulching seasonally with acid compost.

If your soil is good it may not be necessary to feed specimens growing in garden beds, but if you wish, you can feed every 6 to 8 week through summer, using a fertiliser for flowering plants, or a speciality fertiliser for acid loving plants. Potted plants will need regular feeding throughout summer. Feeding is not required in the cooler months for both garden and potted specimens.

Water well until the shrubs are established, and thereafter water regularly and deeply during dry spells.  Potted specimens will also need to be checked regularly for water. Allow the soil to almost dry out between watering but never allow it to dry out completely. Reduce water during the winter months for both garden and potted specimens.

Because brunsfelsia are slow growers pruning is not essential. However, to encourage bushiness and give the mounded shrub a neater appearance, when the plant has finished blooming you can remove all the spent flowers and give the plant a light overall trim. When grown in containers, pruning is the key to keeping the plant at a manageable size. When blooming is over, cut back all the stems by about one third to half.

Potted specimens require regular repotting, so in spring, inspect the root system to see if it fills the pot, and if it does, re-plant it in a larger pot with fresh potting mix.

Brunfelsia FlowersFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Gardeners from all over the world love to grow this magnificent shrub for its abundance of headily fragrant flowers which smother the bushes in spring, with a smaller flush in late summer, or anytime during the year if it likes its location.

The flowers open deep mauve, then change to lavender and finally fade to white, and it is these three shades of flowers which are displayed simultaneously on the plants that led to one of its common names “Yesterday, today and tomorrow”. The plant is also known by a few other names. In Afrikaans it is called “Verbleikblom”, and other English names include: “Kiss Me Quick”, “Morning-Noon-and-Night” and the “Brazil Rain Tree”.

Brunfelsia belongs to the nightshades or (Solanaceae) family of plants, which includes edibles like tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and chilli peppers, and it also contains many others like the belladonna or deadly nightshade, which are deadly poisonous. The 50 or so species have been grouped into three sections: Brunfelsia (about 22 species), Franciscea (about 18 species) and Guianenses (about 6 species). These species differ significantly in both distribution and characteristics, although molecular data has revealed that only two sections are natural (monophyletic), namely the Caribbean section Brunfelsia and a common section for all South American species.

Simply put, a monophyletic taxon is one that includes a group of organisms descended from a single ancestor, and this is true for Brunfelsia, which is believed to have originated in South America, particularly in Brazil. A molecular phylogeny and chronogram reveal that Brunfelsia dates back to the Miocene. The Miocene is the first geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about 23.03 to 5.333 million years ago; a long period when the earth went from the Oligocene through the Miocene and into the Pliocene, and the climate slowly cooled towards a series of ice ages.   

During the evolution of this tropical beauty it reached the Antilles early, and currently has half its species in the Antilles, and half in South America. The Greater Antilles, encompasses the islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), and Puerto Rico; the Lesser Antilles, include the Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Guadeloupe.

In Brazil it occurs mainly on the Atlantic facing slopes of the Serra do Mar, a 1,500km long system of mountain ranges and escarpments in south-eastern Brazil, where the plant can be found growing wild from sea level to altitudes of 1,500m. It can also be found in Venezuela, Bolivia, and Peru.

Brunselsia are found mostly in pluvial rainforests where they grow on shady river banks and ravines, as well as in forests in damp, well- draining soils, and where the annual rainfall is as high as 1,600mm. Pluvial rainforests are evergreen with dense undergrowth, and are found in the wet and hot regions of the world like the Amazon rainforest.  Amazonian evergreen forests account for about 10% of the world's terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP) and 10% of the carbon stores in ecosystems.

Net primary productivity (NPP) is defined as the net flux of carbon from the atmosphere into green plants per unit time. NPP refers to a rate process, i.e., the amount of vegetable matter produced (net primary production) per day, week, or year.     

 In marine environments, the two principal categories of producers are pelagic phytoplankton, which float freely in the ocean, and benthic algae, which live at or near the ocean’s floor. In terrestrial environments, primary productivity is generated by trees and other land plants (including planted crops). Most primary producers require nitrogen and phosphorus—which are available as dissolved nutrients in the soil, lakes, and rivers and in the oceans as nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and phosphorus. The abundances of these molecules and the intensity and quality of light exert a major influence on rates of production.    

Garden hybrids of this ancient plant will never go out of fashion simply because they are irresistible when in full bloom, and for this reason Brunfelsia  has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, and cultivars bred for ornamental use include:  

(Brunfelsia pauciflora 'Eximia') is a medium-sized, rounded bush which will reach a height of 3 to 4m and a spread of 2.5 to 3m after 5 to 10 years. During early spring it produces an abundance of large flowers in shades of violet-blue, lilac and white. It may produce smaller flushes of blooms in summer.

(Brunfelsia pauciflora 'Floribunda') is very similar to ‘Eximia’ but smaller, and this medium-sized, rounded bush will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 2.5m after 5 to 10 years. During early spring it produces an abundance of large flowers, in shades of violet-blue, lilac and white. It may produce smaller flushes of blooms in summer.

(Brunfelsia undulata) is a very frost sensitive species with narrow and slender oval leaves. The flowers are snow-white with scalloped edges and in warm climates the new flowers appear all the time, and have a wonderful sweet scent.  This lovely shrub is becoming harder to find, but it is definitely worth trying to source, and if you do find some, grab as many as you can for yourself and other gardening friends.

In the Garden:

Take advantage of all the lovely attributes of yesterday,  today and tomorrow, and position them  where their heady fragrance will drift into the house or patio, by planting them in a flowerbed near your bedroom or lounge window, or in a pot on your veranda or entrance.

There slow growth makes them perfect for gardens of all sizes, and it goes without saying that this plant is essential in all romantic and scented gardens, and perfect for cottage gardens. It is also wonderful planted at the edges of woodland gardens, and it’s neat, rounded shape looks good when planted in a semi-shaded mixed shrub border, even when the plant is not in bloom.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow complements other acid loving and spring flowering plants like azaleas and camellias, as well as many summer flowering plants like gardenias, hydrangeas and fuchsias. They also make good informal screens or hedges, and grow very well in pots. Click on highlighted text to read more about the plants mentioned

Cultivation:

Brunfelsia grows best in warmly temperate to subtropical zones that receive good summer rainfall, thriving in the humid subtropical regions of the country, and at the coast, as long as they are protected from strong winds and are watered well. They are not suited to very dry regions, and if grown in the winter rainfall regions the shrubs will require regular watering in summer.

Although they are listed as tender to frost, it is amazing how hardy they can be if they are sited in a sheltered part of the garden.  Even in more exposed positions, established plants will tolerate moderate, and even spells of quite severe frost, which will damage the top growth. This can be pruned back after flowering in spring and the plant will quickly recover in summer.

Although brunfelsias will tolerate full sun, they flourish in a semi-shaded position in the garden, where they also produce lusher growth. They are generally semi-deciduous, dropping all their leaves in spring just before the flowers appear, but immediately pushing forth their gorgeous, fresh green leaves. In colder regions the plant will drop leaves in winter as well.

They require good rich soil which holds moisture well but also has good drainage, preferring slightly acid soil just below neutral 7. Potted plants will need a good potting soil, and although most potting soils tend to be slightly acidic, you can add some peat moss or dried pine needles, which are acidic. 

The right pH is essential to avoid chlorosis, which is a yellowing of the leaves, and is especially evident in alkaline soils. To avoid this add a generous amount of acid compost to the planting hole, together with a good dusting of bone meal to encourage strong root growth. Chlorosis can also be corrected by feeding with iron chelate or Epsom salts, as well as mulching seasonally with acid compost.

If your soil is good it may not be necessary to feed specimens growing in garden beds, but if you wish, you can feed every 6 to 8 week through summer, using a fertiliser for flowering plants, or a speciality fertiliser for acid loving plants. Potted plants will need regular feeding throughout summer. Feeding is not required in the cooler months for both garden and potted specimens.

Water well until the shrubs are established, and thereafter water regularly and deeply during dry spells.  Potted specimens will also need to be checked regularly for water. Allow the soil to almost dry out between watering but never allow it to dry out completely. Reduce water during the winter months for both garden and potted specimens.

Because brunsfelsia  are slow growers pruning is not essential. However, to encourage bushiness and give the mounded shrub a neater appearance, when the plant has finished blooming you can remove all the spent flowers and give the plant a light overall trim. When grown in containers, pruning is the key to keeping the plant at a manageable size. When blooming is over, cut back all the stems by about one third to half.

Potted specimens require regular repotting, so in spring, inspect the root system to see if it fills the pot, and if it does, re-plant it in a larger pot with fresh potting mix.

Propagation:

Propagation is usually done during spring from new softwood tip cuttings.

Take cuttings up to 12cm long and dip them in a rooting hormone powder before planting them into pots containing a soil mixture of equal amounts of peat moss and perlite – sand can also be included if you like. Water and place the pots in bright filtered light but no direct sun. Keep the soil moist but not soggy until the roots form and new growth emerges. Once the little cuttings sprout they can be potted into larger pots to grow on, and they can be fed with a liquid fertiliser until they are strong enough to be planted into the garden.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

Brunfelsia is virtually pest and disease-free, making it wonderful for gardeners who do not want to spray.

Chlorosis is a yellowing of the leaves which is especially evident in alkaline soils; it can be corrected by feeding with iron chelate or Epsom salts, and a food for acid loving plants, as well as mulching seasonally with acid compost. Trace element deficiencies can also be corrected with a micro-element fertiliser like Trelmix.

Another way of ensuring healthy deep-green foliage is to sprinkle a handful of nitrogen-rich fertilizer granules around the root zones and to water it in well. Don’t overdo this treatment at the expense of potassium-rich fertiliser though, otherwise you will have gorgeous foliage but the production of flowers will be diminished.

Aphids can weaken the plant by sucking its sap. Unless there is a heavy infestation, they can be removed by gently washing them off with water.

If you see fine webbing underneath the leaves look for red spider mite which thrives in dry conditions. Mealy bugs and whitefly can also sometimes become a problem, especially on potted plants grown under a roof or the overhang of the house. To get rid of these pests try using natural neem oil spray.

Click on highlighted text to read more.

Warning:

Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow is known to contain poisonous alkaloids and is poisonous if ingested, and the berries are especially toxic. It is toxic to humans, dogs, cats, horses and cattle.

Poison symptoms include:  Tremors, seizures (for several days), diarrhoea, vomiting, hyper salivation, lethargy, incoordination, coughing.

Poison Toxic Principle: Brunfelsamidine

Brunfelsia  does not cause contact Dermatitis, but due to its strongly scented flowers this is not the ideal plant for hay-fever sufferers.

Acuba 'Goldeyana'Condensed Version:

The Japanese laurel is valued for its gorgeous foliage, which will delight you and passers-by alike, who will stop to admire the colourful glints of your shade-illuminated acuba leaves which brighten up any shady corner. The Japanese laurel is also renowned for its robustness, facing urban pollution, salty coastal winds, and cold and dry shade head-on - and living to tell the tale!

The plants grow slowly to +-1.5 to 2m tall, with a-1m spread, producing tiny maroon flowers in spring, followed by red berries in autumn. Only the female plants bear berries, but many named cultivars like 'Gold Dust' are female and thus bear autumn fruit.

The Japanese Laurel grows well throughout the country and is tolerant of full shade, dry soil, pollution, and salt winds. It's adaptable to almost any soil, except waterlogged soil, and is hardy to frost if it is protected from fierce winter winds. It responds well to regular watering but is remarkably drought tolerant once established. The only thing they can’t handle well is being cold and wet, but whatever the Japanese laurels shortcomings may be, succumbing to most tough growing conditions isn’t one of them.

It will grow slowly and can be trimmed or cut back in spring. Always prune using secateurs to avoid cutting the large leaves. Feed with a balanced organic fertiliser like 2:3:2 in spring.

Acuba japonica var.Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Aucubas are a small group of evergreen shrubs that are native to woodlands and mountains all over Japan and China, occurring in the rich forest soils of moist valleys, dense forests, thickets, streams and near shaded, moist rocks.

It is valued for its gorgeous foliage, which will delight you and passers-by alike, who will stop to admire the colourful glints of your shade-illuminated acuba leaves which brighten up any shady corner. The Japanese laurel is also renowned for its robustness, facing urban pollution, salty coastal winds, and cold and dry shade head-on - and living to tell the tale!

The plants grow slowly to +-1.5 to 2m tall, with a-1m spread, producing tiny maroon flowers in spring, followed by red berries in autumn. Only the female plants bear berries, but many named cultivars like 'Gold Dust' are female and thus bear autumn fruit.

The only thing they can’t handle well is being cold and wet, but whatever the Japanese laurels shortcomings may be, succumbing to most tough growing conditions isn’t one of them.

In the Garden:

All gardens have problem areas where it seems that nothing will grow, and most often these tend to be in the shade; either under a large tree, next to a wall or under the eaves of a house.  The Japanese laurel prefers shade and will thrive in even the shadiest of spots.

Not only will it thrive in the shade but its bold leaves with eye catching colour will add interest and brighten up even the dullest corner of your garden. It makes a compact screening plant that is ideal for city gardens because it is very pollution tolerant.

Cultivation/Propagation:

The Japanese Laurel grows well throughout the country and is tolerant of full shade, dry soil, pollution, and salt winds. It's adaptable to almost any soil, except waterlogged soil, and is hardy to frost if it is protected from fierce winter winds. It responds well to regular watering but is remarkably drought tolerant once established.

It will grow slowly and can be trimmed or cut back in spring. Always prune using secateurs to avoid cutting the large leaves. Feed with a balanced organic fertiliser like 2:3:2 in spring.
Propagation is from seed or semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

Aucuba can become stressed such as when its roots become waterlogged during cold, wet winters, for example, and as a result the leaves and shoot tips turn black. Other forms of stress, including root diseases (mainly phytophthora root rots) might also be involved.

There are no chemicals to control (or prevent) Aucuba blackening. If it happens in your garden do the following: Remove any affected foliage and shoots and encourage strong regrowth by applying a balanced general fertiliser around the base of the plant in early spring.

To prevent Aucuba blackening, try the following: Avoid planting it in areas prone to waterlogging; Improve the texture and drainage of heavy clay soils prior to planting by incorporating bulky organic matter such as composted bark, garden compost or well-rotted manure; In wet districts planting on low, wide mounds, about 20cm (8in) high can help; Mulching with bulky organic matter can be also beneficial, but keep the base of the plant free from mulch.

Also, watch out for sooty mould, aphids and mealybugs

Warning:

The leaves and berries of Aucuba japonica shrubs can be mildly toxic to pets and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and a high temperature. The effects are likely to be worse in an animal that eats a lot. See your vet if you have any concerns. Always supervise small children and babies when around plants.

See under Small Plants

I have put all the garden Viburnums in a single article. Click here to read about the various species and cultivars.

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.

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.