Acmadenia hetrophylla Buchu
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Acmadenia heterophylla, also commonly known as Buchu.
Attracts: Butterflies, feeds honeybees.
Physical characteristics: - Is a shrub with a single main stem and many branches, growing up to 40cm tall;
- It spreads out like a mat on the ground. Individual plants grow up to 60cm wide;
- The tiny leaves cluster near the tips of the reddish stems;
- The leaves have a fresh lemony smell;
- The flowers have 5 light pink petals with a darker pink centre;
- Plants flower from September to March;
- It is used as an aromatic scented filler in fynbos bouquets.
Growth requirements: - Full sun;
- Well drained soil;
- Coastal tolerant;
- Drought resistant once established;
- Frost tolerant;
- Can grow to a height of 0.3m to 1.0m
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Bulbine frutescene
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Bulbine frutescens also commonly known as stalked bulbine, snake flower, cat’s tail or burn jelly plant.
Attracts: The brightly coloured flowers attract bees.
Physical characteristics: - Is a very hardy, evergreen, vigorous, spreading, succulent shrublet or groundcover with grey-green, smooth, short, succulent, quill-like;
- Throughout the year it bears spiky of pretty, star-shaped, yellow or orange flowers that attract insects;
- They also make good cut flowers;
- The juice of the leaves have excellent healing properties and will relieve stings, burns and rashes.
Growth requirements: - Full sun / part shade;
- Drought tolerant;
- Very hardy;
- Water wise;
- Fast growing;
- Well drained soil
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Asystasia gangetica
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Commonly known as the Chinese violet, coromandel or creeping foxglove. In SA this plant may simply be called asystasia.
Attracts: Lots of butterflies.
Physical characteristics: - If you have a large expanse that needs covering, this creeping foxglove is the most rewarding and friendliest of all the groundcovers (may even prove too friendly in a garden);
- Leaves are simple and dark green;
- Produces a cream coloured flower with tessellated purple markings on the palate (lower petal of the corolla) in spring and summer;
- Flowers are produced over a long period and are followed by capsules with brown seeds.
Growth requirements: - Fast growing, spreading, herbaceous groundcover;
- Semi hardy and grows 300 mm to 600 mm in height;
- Thrives in semi-shade but will also grow in sunny spots if it receives adequate water;
- Can be planted in any soil in the garden but with plenty of compost;
- Can be highly invasive so plant with care. Can result in smothering surrounding vegetation with its herbaceous layer.
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Aristea capitata
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Also commonly known as Blue sceptre.
Attracts: Bees, butterflies and other insects.
Physical characteristics: - Is a clump forming perennial with erect, leathery, strap-like, mid-green leaves arising from underground roots (rhizomes);
- The spike like flower stems can reach a height of up to 2 metres;
- Dreamy indigo blue flowers arrange atop the tall spike like stems;
- The flowers open in the mornings and by the afternoon, they begin to wilt and close, with new flowers opening the next morning;
- Each flower lasts only 1 day but many appear successively over a period of days or weeks.
Growth requirements: - Moderately drought tolerant;
- Wind tolerant;
- Water regularly, especially during the winter and spring;
- Full sun to semi-shade in rich soil which is well drained;
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Coleonema alba
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Coleonema alba also known as the white confetti bush is an evergreen shrub.
Physical characteristics: - Coleonema alba forms a single stem at ground level;
- Branches are erect, numerous, hairless and alternately arranged on the stems;
- The bark is reddish-brown;
- Masses of white flowers are borne singularly, the closed buds are sometimes pinkish;
- Flowers in winter and spring and have a rum-like scent;
- A compact round shrub grows to a height of 2m.
Growth requirements: - Full sun;
- Drought resistant;
- Fragrant;
- Prefers well drained soil;
- Does not need a lot of attention once established.
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Aloe ferox
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Aloe ferox, also commonly known as the Bitter aloe.
Attracts: Birds.
Physical characteristics: - Is a tall single stemmed aloe;
- Leaves are arranged in a rosette;
- The old leaves remain after they have dried, forming a petticoat on the stem;
- The leaves are a dull green, sometimes with a slightly blue look to them;
- Has an elegant shape with the leaf tips curving slightly downwards;
- The spines along the leaf edge are reddish in colour;
- The flowers are carried in a large candelabra-like flower.
Growth requirements: - Drought resistant;
- Full sun;
- Can reach a height of 2 to 3 metres;
- Well drained soil.
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Agaphanthus Nana
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Agapanthus nana blue is a hardy, evergreen perennial.
Attracts: Butterflies and birds.
Physical characteristics: - ‘Nana’ means dwarf or small;
- Has narrow strap like leaves;
- In spring and summer it produces blue-purple flowers on long stems
- They make wonderful cut flowers;
- Is impressive in mass plantings and borders along flowerbeds and paths;
- Size 25 to 30 cm;
- Evergreen groundcover.
Growth requirements: - They grow in semi-shade or sun;
- An easy plant that requires minimal care;
- Frost and drought resistant;
- Fast growing;
- Well drained soil.
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Osteospermum imbricatum
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Osteospermum imbricatum are half hardy perennials or sub-shrubs.
Attracts: Butterflies.
Physical characteristics: - Their alternate leaves are green, but some variegated forms exist;
- The daisy like composite flower consists of disc florets and ray florets, growing singly at the end of branches;
- The disc florets are pseudo-bisexual and come in several colours such as purple, yellow and blue;
- Many species flower a second time during late summer, stimulated by cooler nigh temperatures;
- Osteospermums are widely popular, where they are frequently used in summer bedding schemes in parks and gardens.
Growth requirements: - Full sun to partial shade;
- Water wise;
- Wind tolerant;
- Rich, well drained soil;
- Drought tolerant.
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