A garden filled with silvery cushion bush, marigold-like blooms, Magical Revolution and plenty of sunshine and bright light
The silvery cushion bush (Calocephalus brownii) is a dramatic companion with red poinsettia as indoor decoration for this festive season. It is naturally round and compact and stays that way with minimum trimming. When grown indoors or on the patio it needs filtered sunlight or bright light.
Don’t overwater and let the soil almost dry out before watering. Originally from the southern coast of Australia it is a tough, drought-tolerant plant that is ideal for containers, garden borders or as a feature. Plant in full sun and in ordinary, even poor soil, that drains well. Details: www.lvgplant.co.za
Festive star garden stake light (39cm x 90cm), R259 from takealot.com • A touch of timeless elegance … hand-hammered gold metal planter (31cm x 35cm), R1200 from mrphome.com
Garden tasks for December
• During hot, dry spells water deeply and regularly in the early morning or late afternoon to reduce the loss of water through evaporation.
• Cut off dead flowers and give annuals a weekly drench of liquid fertiliser to keep everything fresh and blooming for Christmas.
• Perennials and shrubs can get their once-a-month feed of a granular fertiliser like 8:1:5, 5:1:5 or Vigorosa.
• Water the lawn once a week but hold back on the fertiliser if you are going away.
We’re planting…
Hydrangea Magical Revolution that is a long flowering hydrangea that can be grown indoors as well as outdoors. What sets it apart from other hydrangeas is that it flowers for up to six months. The large pink or blue flower heads change colour as they mature, culminating in rich red or green tones.
As an indoor plant, Magical Revolution needs bright, indirect light but not direct sunlight. Keep the soil evenly moist and fertilise with a hydrangea food three or four times during the flowering period.
After a period indoors it can be planted in the garden, in fertile soil in partial shade, preferably morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep the soil moist and continue to fertilise once a month. Blue flowering plants will benefit from a ‘blue’ hydrangea food. Adding an acid compost to the soil will help to retain the shade of blue. Details: ballstraathof.co.za
Herb of the month
Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida) is an ancient herb from Central and South America that was used by the Aztecs to flavour their stimulating cocoa drink, to season food, use medicinally and to make a refreshing, energising tea. These days it is also known as Mexican, Texan or Spanish tarragon because it is grown as a substitute for tarragon in hot and dry gardens. The plant looks like a marigold, with narrow fine-toothed dark green leaves that have the same anise flavour of traditional tarragon but slightly sweeter. The edible yellow marigold-like blooms attract butterflies and bees.
To grow: this compact perennial herb grows easily from seed, in full sun and in ordinary, even poor soil that drains well. Water regularly to establish the plant and thereafter water deeply once a week. The plants form clumps that can be divided every few years. It also spreads easily. It is a low maintenance companion plant for tomatoes, peppers and basil as well as for roses and other perennials in a mixed border. Details: kirchhoffs.co.za
Festive star garden stake light (39cm x 90cm), R259 from takealot.com • A touch of timeless elegance … hand-hammered gold metal planter (31cm x 35cm), R1200 from mrphome.com
