COMMUNITY LIVING

The pompom tree is a relatively fast grower and is frost tolerant . It is regularly used in estates along pavements and sidewalks , and under certain conditions can grow to a height of 6 – 8 metres . All in all , this is a great choice for a small garden ,’ he explains .

Another suggestion is the Dombeya rotundifolia ( wild pear ). It is , however , deciduous but it flowers from June to October and bears fruit from around October to December , attracting birds and other insects . It is a relatively fast grower and does not have an invasive root system . Another option could even be the gardenia , a moderately fast grower that will give flowers almost all year round . It has fragrant leaves , which is a bonus , and will grow to about 5 metres .’

If you don ’ t live on the coast , there are other options to consider . Glenice Ebedes , founder of Grounded Landscaping , offered a top 10 indigenous tree list that was appropriate for a varity of climates

1 . Schrebera alata ( wild jasmine ) 2 . Dais cotinifolia ( pompom tree ) 3 . Indigofera jucunda ( river indigo ) 4 . Polygala myrtifolia ( September bush ) 5 . Mundulea sericea ( cork bush ) 6 . Apodytes dimidiata ( white pear ) 7 . Diospyros whyteana ( bladdernut ) 8 . Heteropyxis natalensis ( lavender tree ) 9 . Ilex mitis ( Cape holly ) 10 . Croton gratissimus ( lavender croton )