Indigenous Myths Exposed

It’s actually amazing what ‘skinder’ one can unearth about our indigenous plants. Here’s the clincher, a lovely, sweeping statement that should cover every aspect of the suburban legend:

Indigenous gardens don’t need watering or pruning and they hate fertilizer. Indigenous gardens look like the veldt; the plants are stringy, dull, and slow growing. There aren’t many kinds of indigenous plants available, and that limits design, at best to a scrubby ‘bushveld chic’ with thorn trees, Aloes and rockeries.

Maligned! Libeled! Luckily the poor plants don’t have lawyers! Just about any plant starts to look stringy and dull if it’s never cared for. Out indigenous beauties (including fynbos plants) also appreciate a little love and attention: a little feeding, occasional trimming to shape and water (when possible) during dry spells all contribute to a winning recipe.

Indigenous gardens can be designed in any style from the lushly tropical to the dainty country-style, to the sculpturally formal – the only limit is your imagination! The truth about indigenous gardening is that it is very similar to other types of gardening. Indigenous plants are available in every shape and size to suit every purpose and requirement. Best of all, Stodels has an impressive selection on their shop floor.

You won’t work as hard as you do in your rose garden, and most of your plants will tolerate South Africa’s environmental extremes, but for best results you’ll still have to nurture your plants through trying times.