i n di g e n o u s g a rd e ning

Grassy fynbos slope with rabbit’s ears, Oldenburgia grandis.

ABOVE: Create a shady refuge. Plectranthus ambiguus plants in The Dell at Kirstenbosch. Photo: A. Notten.

Shelter from the sun

Create a shady refuge in your garden with a selection of small trees and shade plants from the
Kirstenbosch Garden Fair
by Alice Notten, Kirstenbosch

G
ardening in a small garden does not rule
out trees, it merely narrows your choices
and requires more thought regarding
which tree to choose and where to place
it. Trees have many desirable characteristics,
such as casting shade, screening unsightly
things, buffering the wind, giving privacy,
attracting birds as well as cleaning the air,
cooling the house, reducing run-off from rain
and sequestering carbon. Nevertheless, the
wrong tree in the wrong place could create
decades of trouble, and be costly to remove.
So take your time and select the best tree for
yourself.
When choosing a tree for a small garden,
first make sure your garden can accommodate
one. You will need an area that allows the tree
to spread 3-5 m in all directions – depending
on the tree you choose. It is best not to plant
near drains or too near the house because the
roots may cause damage. And when planting
near the edge of your property, remember to
consider your neighbours.
Make a list of the trees that will grow up
to 6 m tall, and not taller than 10 m. Some
indigenous forest trees can also be considered
because they are very slow growing, and
although they may reach 20 m in their native
forests, they probably won’t exceed 6 m out in
the open in a relatively short time.
Pick out the trees that suit your conditions,
(e.g. sandy soil, coastal conditions). Consult the
catalogue that will be on sale at the Garden
Fair for useful lists of plants suited to various
conditions.
Take note of their characteristics and
eliminate those that don’t fit your requirements.
A tree with a spreading crown makes a good
shade tree but may need a bit more space,
whereas a tree with a narrow, columnar or
pyramidal crown won’t need as much space
but could get quite tall. A tree that produces
fleshy berries is not a good choice to plant near
the pool, paving or a deck, as the fruits make a
mess, clog up the filter, and can stain and make
the ground slippery. Trees with thorns or sharp
Blisterleaf Knowltonia vesicatoria. Photo: A. Notten.
spines are useful for a barrier hedge but not
suitable for children and could make the area
around it a no-go area for bare feet. Flowering
trees are a bonus, especially if you have space
for only one tree; they make excellent accents
and give added interest over many months of
the year. Take a look at the bark as well, some
trees have coloured or textured bark that adds
interest to the garden.
Have a look at live specimens or photographs
of the trees on your shortlist, and choose the
one that you most like the look of. It will be
with you for many years, so choose carefully.
KIRSTENBOSCH
GARDEN FAIR
& PLANT SALE
14/15 MARCH 2009
09h00 – 16h00
VENUE:
Stone Cottages opposite the main entrance
to Kirstenbosch.
Enquiries:
Tel 021 671 5468
Fax 021 671 7146
Email kbranch@botanicalsociety.org.za

26 VELD&FLORA | MARCH 2009

Small trees for small gardens
The coastal camphor bush Tarchonanthus
littoralis (until recently this was known as T.
camphoratus) occurs from the Cape Peninsula,
along the coast to KwaZulu-Natal. It forms
a small, shapely tree to 5 m. It has strongly
aromatic, leathery leaves with dark green upper
surfaces and white-grey undersides. Cream-
coloured flower heads are borne in abundance
in mid to late summer. Male and female flowers
are carried on different trees. After flowering,
the female flower heads develop white, cotton-
woolly balls, each holding a seed. These white
fruiting inflorescences are very showy against
the dark green foliage and remain decorative
for many months. The coastal camphor bush
thrives in windy, coastal conditions, through
drought and in poor, sandy soils, making it
ideal for coastal and Cape Flats gardens.
The Cape saffron Cassine peragua is a small
to medium-sized tree, usually only 2-5 m
tall but occasionally reaching 12 m in well-
watered, protected situations. It has clusters
of fragrant white flowers in late summer to
winter, followed by an abundance of green
turning reddish-purple, fleshy berries – which
attract the birds but will also stain paving.
The main attraction of the Cape saffron is its
saffron-yellow trunk and its shapely crooked
habit. A grove of them in a forest garden make
a lovely feature.
The pompon tree, Dais cotinifolia is a
beautiful flowering tree, and ideal for small
gardens. It forms a shapely, rounded, densely
leafy crown and is usually 3 or 4 m and rarely
up to 6 m. It reaches a decent size quickly, and
TOP: The coastal camphor bush Tarchonanthus littoralis
is pretty tough although it does need some female tree in fruit.
protection from the wind and some watering LEFT: The lavender tree Heteropyxis natalensis has fragrant
during summer to thrive in the Western Cape. leaves.
Around Christmas it transforms into a cloud of ABOVE: The fragrant flowers of the Cape saffron Cassine
peragua.
soft pink balls.
BELOW: The pompon tree Dais cotinifolia.
The lavender tree Heteropyxis natalensis is Photos: A. Notten.
a neat, slender tree 5-7 m tall with graceful,
drooping foliage, pale grey bark and fragrant,
creamy yellow flower heads in summer. The
leaves are an attractive, shiny fresh green and
strongly aromatic when crushed. In autumn
they develop into a rich red colour. This tree
is relatively quick and easy to grow, but in the
Western Cape it needs rich, well-composted
soil, water in summer and some protection
from the Southeaster wind. The leaves of the
lavender tree can be brewed into a fragrant
medicinal tea that eases heartburn and colic,
or can be used as a wash to lightly perfume
the skin.
The box-leaf phylica, Phylica buxifolia is most
often a large shrub, but it can be trained to
form a very attractive small tree, to 3 m, with a
dense rounded crown. It is very wind resistant
and tolerates summer drought, and is also a
good choice for fynbos gardens. In autumn
to early winter it is covered with masses of
fragrant white flowers, which are very long

MARCH 2009 | VELD&FLORA 27

 lasting in the vase. The box-leaf phylica is also
an effective screening or hedge plant.
The wild pepper tree, Loxostylis alata is a
compact, well-shaped tree 4-6 m tall with
decorative foliage. Young growth is tinged
with red. It is drought tolerant and can be
grown successfully in many different soils. The
wild pepper flowers in summer, and male and
female flowers occur on separate trees. The
male flowers are white, fragrant and borne in
masses. The female flowers are greenish white,
and soon after flowering the sepals enlarge
and turn a very attractive pink-red. Both put
on quite a show.
The bladder-nut Diospyros whyteana is
TOP: The wild pepper tree Loxostylis alata.
a neat, small tree, 3-7 m tall, often multi-
ABOVE: The glossy leaves of the bladder-nut Diospyros
stemmed, with a dense rounded crown of whyteana.
strikingly glossy, dark green leaves. Small, RIGHT: Silverleaf spurflower Plectranthus oertendahlii.
fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers appear in Photos: A. Notten.
spring, followed by curious inflated, balloon-
like capsules that enclose the fruits. It is the perennial herb with showy, trumpet-shaped,
perfect small tree for fynbos gardens, and mauve, purple, blue, violet or white flowers.
thrives in sun or semi-shade. It is a good They are the ideal plants to bring colour to
screening or clipped-hedge plant, and a good damp, shady, sheltered areas. There are many
container and bonsai subject. different ones to choose from. Try Streptocarpus
cyaneus with its beautiful dark purple summer
Gardening in the shade flowers. It makes a good bedding plant or pot
Having created a cool, shady haven in your plant and can be grown indoors.
garden with appropriate small trees, finish There are many shade-loving bulbs to bring
it off with some colourful and interesting a splash of colour to a shady spot. Plan for
indigenous plants that thrive in shade or semi- seasonal colour – choose the bush lily Clivia
shade. Shade-loving plants come from the miniata for its orange or yellow flowers in
forests and to get the best out of them, try to spring. For early summer, go for the white
mimic forest conditions. Spread lots of well-
rotted compost and leaf mould at least every
spring and autumn, plant them where they
are protected from the midday sun and strong
winds, and water regularly.
Choose from a wide variety of groundcovers
and forest-floor plants, foliage plants, eye-
catching accent plants, shade-loving bulbs,
and middle- and under-storey shrubs and
small trees.
One of the best groundcovers for shade is
Plectranthus, also known as spurflower. There
are many different species and cultivars, all
quick and easy to grow, providing decorative
foliage and autumn flowers in shades of
purple, blue, pink, lilac and white. Look out for
the striking silverleaf spurflower, Plectranthus
oertendahlii, with its exquisite silver variegated
foliage. This spurflower forms small clumps,
50-200 mm high, and has spikes of small, white
flowers in autumn. Grow it in well-composted,
loamy, well-drained soil and give it regular
water, but be careful not to over-water. It
needs full shade, and too much light will cause
the leaves to lose their silver markings and
turn yellow. It grows very well amongst Clivia
miniata, Streptocarpus and Veltheimia bracteata.
The silverleaf spurflower also makes a lovely
pot plant, which can be grown indoors.
Streptocarpus, also known as Cape primrose,
is a low-growing, clump-forming, stemless

28 VELD&FLORA | MARCH 2009

 RIGHT: Cape primrose Streptocarpus cyaneus.
RIGHT BELOW: Natal lily Crinum moorei. Photos: A. Notten.

spikes of the candelabrum lily Albuca nelsonii.

In late summer, the Natal lily, Crinum moorei
presents its large, pink, fragrant trumpets on
long stalks. Its leaves are about 1 m long.
It needs full, dappled or semi-shade, as too
much sun will burn the leaves and the flowers.
It can be planted amongst Plectranthus and
Asparagus densiflorus. In winter, choose the
forest lily Veltheimia bracteata, for its pink or
yellow flower spikes.
There are few shade-loving flowering shrubs
to match the forest bell bush Mackaya bella
with its glossy dark green foliage and large,
pale lavender flowers in early summer. It is a
large shrub or small tree, 2-3 m tall that does
best in a protected spot with fertile, well-
composted soil and plenty of water in spring
and summer. It can be planted in semi-shade
or dappled sunlight, and also does well on the
south or south-east side of buildings.
The large-leaved dragon tree Dracaena
aletriformis is a showy foliage plant with
symmetrical rosettes of large, strap-shaped
leaves crowded towards the top of the stems.
It is evergreen and develops into a large shrub
or small tree, 2-4 m tall. It requires fertile,
compost-enriched soil and shade. The large-
leaved dragon tree makes a bold and attractive
focal point, as well as an excellent container
plant for a shady patio or indoors. LEFT: The flowers of the forest bell bush Mackaya bella.
The blisterleaf Knowltonia vesicatoria, is one BELOW: The large-leaved dragon tree Dracaena aletriformis.
BOTTOM: The wild pomegranate Burchellia bubalina.
of the few shade-loving fynbos plants. It is a
Photos: A. Notten.
clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial with
attractive, leathery, dark green leaves. Pretty,
white or yellowish-green flowers are carried
above the foliage during spring, followed
by shiny purple-black berries. It earned its
common name because fresh sap from bruised
leaves applied to the skin causes blistering. The
Blisterleaf is slow-growing but long-lived, and
it is tough and waterwise once established. It
can be planted in the shade of bushes in the
fynbos garden, or it can join the Plectranthus
and Streptocarpus in the shade garden. It is not
easy to find plants for sale, so get one while
you can.
The wild pomegranate Burchellia bubalina, is
a neat, ornamental shrub or small tree, 2.5-5 m
tall with glossy, dark green foliage and showy
heads of scarlet to orange, tubular flowers in
early summer. It can be grown in full sun, but
does best in semi-shade or shade, and needs
rich, compost-enriched soil, protection from
strong wind and plenty of water. Its flowers
are also popular with nectar-feeding birds like
sunbirds. Grow the wild pomegranate in the
shade garden, or try it as a small tree.

READING
www.plantzafrica.com, the website for information about plants
native to southern Africa.
Van Jaarsveld, E. 2000. Wonderful waterwise gardening.Tafelberg,
Cape Town. MARCH 2009 | VELD&FLORA 29