An Eco Rock is an artificial hollow rock crafted from a mix of cement and perlite that forms a lightweight structure that offers insulation from external temperatures. The hollow spaces within the rock serve as shelter, shielding various organisms fr

It’s hard to believe that every single brassica that we cultivate today, from Brussels sprouts to turnips and mustard, was once a single, fairly boring wild plant. Yes, all of the plants on this page and more have a single common ancestor. How did th

There are about 214 species of Ornithogalums, 40 of which come from our local floral kingdom. The most wellknown Ornithogalum thyrsoides has spectacular white star-shaped flowers in clusters on tall stems and is commonly known as the fun chincherinch

As winter approaches, and days become cooler and shorter; gardeners have fewer garden hours and need to switch their focus. The Lunar Garden guide reflects this, as the Moon’s phases are defined by the Sun’s seasons. There are less " leaf" planting d

This locally bred aloe hybrid produces a sting of long-lasting colour in early winter with vivid bicolour flowers representing the beauty of a typical African sunrise – fiery, deep orange to red teamed up with bright yellow on each flower raceme. Eve

As winter casts its cool embrace over South Africa, our gardens transition into a subtle hues and muted tones palette. However, this doesn’t mean your precious garden has to be devoid of colour and interest. Embracing the unique allure of succulent p

Apart from being pretty little flowers, pansies have the following characteristics: • Long flowering season: Plant pansies anytime from autumn, winter and into spring and they will last for months on end, flowering the whole time. They will even flow

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, butterfly gardening serves as an educational platform for children and holds ecological significance. Butterflies in your garden signify the link to the local ecosystem, and establishing a butterfly garden can attract ins

In Greek mythology, Calliope is the muse who inspired eloquence and epic poetry. In everyday South Africa, the ‘Calliope’ range of pelargoniums, with their luminous and vibrant blooms, inspires many a gardener to use poetic language. Pelargonium ‘Cal

Conventional thinking would more often than not presuppose that paving – be it in the form of a path, driveway, courtyard, patio or even as a bedding edge or pool surround – is used mainly to perform a utilitarian or practical function. Paved surface

The colour grey is broadly defined as a neutral or achromatic colour normally associated with indifference, uncertainty, modesty and boredom, and is apparently not a favourite colour if compared to other colours. Well, it might be true in the world o

Tinus and Nollie @plantae orchids Near the town of Leydsdorp in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, on the banks of the Selati River grows a palm species of giant proportions. One of the 6 species of palm trees indigenous to South Africa, the Boras

We often become eclectic designers as we grow older. We gather items from our travels and things we like and then put them together in a design that is pleasing and unique to each of us. In the same way, we gather objects, we also gather houseplants,

20mm timber cut as follows: 2 @198 x 285mm 2 @285 x 108mm 2 @148 x 198mm 4 @100 x 100mm 35 x 35mm screws Woodoc 50 Marine Exterior Sealer (Matt, Clear) Woodoc Colours (Sweet Grass) 50mm Paintbrush Steel wool, mineral turpentine and clean rag Branches

The concept of enclosed gardens with a spiritual purpose has ancient roots, tracing back to various religious and philosophical traditions. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the Garden of Eden is often considered the archetype of a perfect, harmoniou

What would winter be like without primulas? With their profusion of dainty flowers, Primula malacoides add an element of magic to the winter garden. Not for nothing are they known as fairy primulas. They are loveliest when planted in drifts in shady

Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is an excellent herb as a replacement for a big lemon tree. Out of all the lemon-scented herbs, this one is the lemoniest so it’s good for a place close to the kitchen to use often. It’s a tender perennial that will