The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 12 Autumn 2015 High res | Page 11

Water wise plants English lavender Lavandula angustifolia This common, hardy evergreen plant is often used in landscaping for its grey foliage; however, it doesn’t flower as prolifically as the showy French lavender. The English Lavender adapts well to dry situations and is best planted as an herbaceous border, as a pruned hedge around your vegetable garden or in a rose garden. ENGLISH LAVENDER Wormwoods Artemisia sp There are a variety of Artemisia sold in Zimbabwe, and these are great fillers with dainty foliage. The flower is insignificant and often removed. However, as much as we love the rain, the Artemisia doesn’t, as they don’t look good in the rain. Agave Agave americana and Agave attenuata Often used outside on verges, the Agave can actually appear rather attractive if used in a well-designed landscape. It looks good in rockeries with other smaller aloes and succulents, or planted on its own in a more formal garden with grey gravel as the base. It requires a full sun position in your rockery. A good specimen for a large pot or a low maintenance garden. ECHEVERIA AGAVE Echeveria Crassulaceae This widely used succulent is often seen in water wise gardens, as it is drought resistant. Grow echeverias in your rockery en masse as groundcover, or in vertical walls. Keep a look out for the different variety of echeverias; they come in different hues of green, grey and purple. Other grey foliage Arctotis stoechadifolia (blue-eyed African daisy), Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender cotton), Helichrysum, Senecio (daisy) species, Dymondia margaretae (Silver carpet), Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in Summer), Byzantina (Lamb’s Ears), Enchylaena tomentosa (Saltbush) SALTBUSH Andrew Gardens (pvt) Ltd Gardens for Life! ARTMESIA Landscaping services Garden consultancy services Indoor Plant maintenance [phone]/[phone]/[phone] [email protected] 11