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We’re planting ...<br />
A fiesta of colour for the festive season. Hot<br />
pink, fiery fuchsia, sizzling orange and knockout<br />
yellow are the colours of the samba, the rumba<br />
and Portulaca Nano, the gorgeous, heat-loving<br />
groundcover that’s always smothered with<br />
flowers. Although not indigenous, it’s extremely<br />
drought- and heat-tolerant, and able to keep<br />
flowering through times of low rainfall. The<br />
plants do best in full sun and grow in ordinary<br />
garden soil. The flowers open early in the<br />
morning, creating a ball of colour well into the<br />
evening. It’s an easy-to-care-for summer annual<br />
that will perform as a perennial in frost-free<br />
areas. Use it as a garden groundcover or on<br />
pavements, in hanging baskets and window<br />
boxes and as a ’spiller’ in mixed containers.<br />
Details: ballstraathof.co.za<br />
Garden gurus share their expertise<br />
Veggies and fruit. Nuts and herbs. Spices and edible flowers. There’s<br />
a massive trend globally towards growing your own … and Grow<br />
Your Own is a hugely comprehensive, practical guide. Written by<br />
two well-respected South African garden gurus, JJ van Rensburg and<br />
Tinus Oberholzer, this book really does cover absolutely everything<br />
you need to know, presented in a style that will please beginners<br />
as well as those with more established green thumbs. A great gift<br />
for a gardening friend. Briza, R350. • Keith Kirsten and horticulture<br />
are inseparable. Happily, his best-known book, Gardening with<br />
Keith Kirsten, fully revised and updated, has just hit the shelves …<br />
perfectly timed for Christmas. In recognition of the importance of<br />
gardening in harmony with nature, this fourth edition has more info<br />
on indigenous species, locally-bred hybrids and waterwise plants.<br />
In addition to sections on garden design, maintenance, as well as<br />
dealing with pests and diseases, the bulk of the book consists of<br />
directories with comprehensive details about growing more than<br />
2000 plants (trees, shrubs, creepers ... you name it). It’s the prefect<br />
pressie for a garden enthusiast – or you could treat yourself! Struik<br />
Lifestyle, R350.<br />
Plant spekboom for cleaner air<br />
Hectare for hectare, spekboom removes10<br />
times more carbon dioxide from the<br />
atmosphere than the Amazon rain forest.<br />
With the invasive borer beetle destroying<br />
Jozi’s trees, perhaps it’s time to plant<br />
this indigenous, waterwise, eco-friendly<br />
succulent. It’s extremely easy to grow and<br />
makes a splendid hedge<br />
or border.<br />
Bucket hats are über-trendy this<br />
summer … we fancy this cheerful,<br />
sunshine yellow version. R299<br />
from Zara. Details: zara.com<br />
We love sunflowers, not sun spots. Keep your face protected<br />
with a great sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat, like this Poppy<br />
braided sunhat, R599 from Witchery. Details: woolworths.co.za<br />
Dec 19/Jan 20 Get It <strong>Joburg</strong> <strong>North</strong>ern Suburbs 41
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