Make a water-wise plant plan
With the current water restrictions implemented by the municipality, the time has come to make smart gardening choices.
The trick is to use water-wise plants that’ll keep your garden blooming and beautiful, while not needing a lot of water.
Nursery assistant Brighton Makwezi from Lavender Post Nursery, in Rynfield, mentioned some of these water-wise plants.
Makwezi said osteospermum “daisybush” plants are sun-loving and don’t need a lot of water.
“These plants, once well established, can survive and thrive on a little neglect,” he said.
The aptenia cordifolia is an evergreen, ground-covering plant and requires full sun or semi-shade, but less water once it stands on its own.
Another reliable water-wise plant is South Africa’s national flower, the protea, which is perfect for any garden and patio planter or flower arrangement.
“Succulent plants such as the aloe and echeveria ‘rock rose’ are always great choices as water-saving bloomers,” Makwezi explained.
In pots, the aloe requires well-drained, sandy potting soil and bright, sunny conditions.
Rock roses are living rosetted sculptures and are perfect for rock gardens.
He added that other reliable drought-resistant garden gems are the cotyledon grey finger and cast iron plant as well as the portulacaria afra or “spekboom”, which mostly stays lusciously green.
Lastly, the Olea Mission Olive trees come as fruit-bearing and non fruit-bearing types – and are of the most dependable, because they tolerate dry conditions.
Also read:
Water restrictions affect nurseries
Metro clarifies aspects of water restrictions
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