The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 1 Winter 2012 | Page 8

Plant profile
Solanum rantonettii
The Blue potato bush hails from Argentina and Paraguay. This shrub is a joy in any
garden, big or small, because if fed regularly with fertiliser or liquid manure, it
blooms intermittently throughout the year. Remember, care must be taken to keep
this plant in shape; don’t be afraid to prune this beautiful bush. However, this shrub,
belonging to the nightshade family, is toxic. Watch out for thrips and aphids.

Polygala myrtiflora
Polygala is a large evergreen shrub,
which can grow up to 2 metres or more
and is native to the Western Cape and
Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. This is a
very useful screening shrub as it fills
a large space and is tolerant of little
care. It can survive on little water but
naturally flourishes if well watered.
It’s interesting to note that this plant
is important for its antibacterial and
antifungal properties.
It has mauve flowers almost throughout
the year, peaking in spring. The flowers
resemble those of legumes, such as
peas and beans, whilst the fruit are
small winged capsules. Again, prune this
shrub to shape.

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