COMMUNITY LIVING
Ebedes says : ‘ This is a list of our top 10 indigenous trees ( in no specific order ) for small gardens appropriate specifically for Gauteng as their availability and suitability in other regions may not be ideal . The top five have showy flowers in summer . All have the benefits of attracting wildlife such as birds , bees , butterflies , etc .’
Good for most gardens
Life is a Garden suggests the following trees for small , tight gardens : 1 . Tree wisteria – this , they say , has an erect shape and has attractive bark and lilac blue flowers in the spring .
2 . Japanese maple – this tree has dainty foliage and a rich autumn colour . Life is a Garden adds that they ’ re particularly suitable for inland gardens .
If you ’ re looking for water-wise trees , the website suggests the wild olive and white karee .
If you want to attract birds , they ’ re particularly attracted to the nectar-rich fuchsias , which only grow up to 5 metres .
Small shrubs and flowers
If small shrubs or flowers are the only viable option for your garden , there ’ s plenty of choice for those too . These , according to gardenandhome . co . za and our own research , include :
Tomato tumblers can be grown in anything and will thrive in containers . They do need full sun , but if you look after them properly you can pick their fruit and add them to your salad !
Begonias are best grown in subtropical regions of South Africa , so do be careful if you live in an area that suffers from harsh winters . The Mistral Red can offer some vibrant colour to a small space .
Figurine roses are perfect for small spaces too . They are hardy plants that can also be grown in containers and can offer a good burst of colour when in bloom .
According to gardeninginsouthafrica . co . za , the African aloe is another sturdy plant that is perfect for rock or pebble gardens . This plant also grows well on sloping banks . They also recommend rosemary if you ’ re in need of a hardy , evergreen perennial herb . You can prune them to ensure that they stay within your tiny garden remit . Otherwise , they can grow to around 1 metre tall and 1 metre wide .
47 S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y
Angelique Ruzicka