Lachenalia 'Romaud'
with blue throats.
Other hybridised versions of indigenous plants that offer their own set
of benefits include the many new
Aloe varieties as well as Plectranthus that were mainly bred in South
Africa but now enjoy popularity as
pot plants in Europe. Among these
are the beautiful ‘Cape Angels’
range as well as the ever-popular
Mona Lavender. However, species
type Plectranthus are more sun tol-
Arctotis 'On Fire'
erant on the whole and can make
gorgeous container or garden
plants that are adaptable and
drought tolerant.
For more than twenty years, the
Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
has been working on a genus of
bulbs known as Lachenalias.
They’ve been selected and bred to
produce stunning blooms that
make them an ideal pot plant, but
they also work well in gardens if
Lachenalia 'Namakwa'
they are left undisturbed during
their dormancy.
The bottom line is this: hybrids are
more uniform and have a more contained growth habit. Some hybrids,
such as the Agapanthus are lowmaintenance, while other hybrids
may need more attention or not be
as durable. Species types are generally tougher and cover larger areas,
but their flowers may not be as
striking in size and colour.
Arctotis 'Radiance Red'