Question  1. What is a good plant for a  pot that will give me colour for a long period of time?

A.  Shrubs - Polygala varieties, including petite, dalmaisiana, myrtifolia, glentana & vermaaklikheid.

                     - Ochna serrulata- yellow flowers, red calyxes

                     - Plectranthus zuluensis (flowers spring & autumn)

                     - Rapheolepis de la Couri (non indigenous spring flowers for long period of time)

                     - Leucadendron ‘Safari Sunset’/ ‘Blush’ (Leaf colour)

                     - Protea cynaroides (King Protea long lasting flowers)

                    - Anastrabe integerrima (Neat shiny leaf always looks good) 

   Groundcovers - Gazania varieties

                               - Scabiosa incisa

   Climbers           - Thumbergia alata if supported

                                - Dipogon lignosus (rampant)

Note: Flowering time can be extended by picking off old flowers as soon as they wilt and by feeding with Talbourne 3:1:5 organic fertilizer. Also place your pots in a sunny position

Question 2. Do fynbos plants like compost?

A.  Although fynbos plants are adapted to very poor soils, most of them benefit from being planted with well rotted compost. Compost can also be used as mulch.

The exceptions are plants of the Protea family, especially the Proteas and pincushions. Protea family plants can be fed with small quantities of Talbourne 5:1:5 organic fertilizer.

Don’t overfeed Fynbos plants, they should be allowed to grow slowly as this makes them more resistant to the winds and drought of the southern peninsula.

Indigenous plants from other parts of South Africa will all benefit from generous applications of compost.

Question 3. Can I prune fynbos plants?

A. Most fynbos plants will benefit from pruning, since it can mimic the natural process that may be absent in a garden situation. This has the effect of stimulating bud production for more foliage (bushier growth) and more flowers. Species which resprout from roots can be cut back hard but care should be taken with the more woody species not to cut back below the lowest leaves, as the plant may not be able to bud again from this wood.

Many popular indigenous garden plants from the summer rainfall parts of the country should definitely be pruned at least once a year, and can be cut back very hard if needed, because they are able to bud from quite old wood. The many types of Plectranthus are good example.

Question 4. Do I need to water fynbos plants?

A.      Although fynbos plants are adapted to a climate of summer drought, all will benefit from regular watering through the summer, twice a week being rule of thumb more if it is a  particularly windy site. This is especially important when planting is done in summer, and is advisable for the first two summers while establishing a fynbos garden. After this period of time watering can be reduced, it is not recommended to stop watering all together.  Many Erica species require regular summer watering as they naturally occur on misty mountain slopes frequently covered in southeaster cloud in summer. Some restios are very drought resistant (such as Thamnochortus species), but others are watering loving (most Elegias).  This variation in water requirements within a plant family applies to Proteas and to Ericas, so make sure you ask for advice on the water requirements of the plants you purchase. Best time of the day to water is early morning or evening NEVER during the day. Bear in mind that overwatering fynbos causes plants to become soft and they are therefore not as resistant to wind or drought and more delicious to bugs and snails! It is a fine balance that you will have to work out for your site!  A lot of succulents will look much healthier with regular summer watering. The rate of growth of young trees can be greatly increased by regular deep watering. Without this, they may never develop into trees, but continue to exist as stunted shrubs.

Question 5. My soil is oily (Hydrophobic).The water just runs off & does not soak in. What can I do?

A.      This problem can take a bit of time to correct, but it is quite simple There are three requirements –the addition of organic matter (compost), regular watering, and mulching. After digging in the compost and watering it in, the soil will probably continue to have patches of “oiliness” The soil can be turned to a spade depth again and watered thoroughly again . A generous layer of mulch and repeated bi-annual applications of mulch will be essential to maintain soil moisture levels, and prevent the return to an ‘’oily ‘’ state. The application of mulch and regular watering will encourage microorganism activity in your soil and improve the quality.

Question 6. Do fynbos plants require full sun?

A. Most fynbos plants can grow very well in a surprising amount of shade. The issue really is   availability of intensity of light, so an area which is shaded by a high wall, but still open to light on that side can be a good habit for most fynbos plants. In most cases half a day of direct sunshine, either morning or afternoon, is also adequate. However individual species are usually surprisingly adaptable and can grow healthier in quite a wide range of light conditions, so if the label says ‘’full sun’’ but you don’t have this in your garden; don’t let it stop you from planting what’s on your wish list. Avoid planting fynbos plants close to or in a shade of trees, as they generally do not cope well with root competition, especially in shade. Also bear in mind that sunshine stimulates flower bud production, and plants growing in a shade position may not flower as much as in direct sun .Most restios do require full sun and an ‘’open ‘’  habitat , but Calopsis and Ischylopsis grow well in some shade.

Question 7. My Protea grew beautifully for 2 or 3 years, now suddenly all the leaves are grey

                      brown, even though the soil is moist .Is there anything I can do? 

A.      Proteas are susceptible to a root fungus (called Phytophthea) which lives in the soil and has the effect of preventing the plant from taking up moisture. So even under wet conditions, the plant appears to dry out. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to remedy an undivided plant. It’s recommended that other fynbos / indigenous plants be planted in the affected area.

Question 8. I want to attract birds to my garden. What can I plant?

A.      The species list will depend on the local conditions in your area , even the micro climate of your garden, but to attract the wide variety of birds, all their needs should be considered .Different foods source need to be provided as do building / nestiny materials & nesting sites .

For food sources, plant some nector producing flowers ,(such as Leonotis , Tecoma, Salvia, Leucospermum and Protea and Aloe species), some fruit /berry producing plants, (such as Halleria , Rhus, Canthium, Grewia, etc some which host edible larvae (kiggelaria, etc)some which provide nesting materials (Eriocephalus, Tarchonanthus, etc)and some which provide nesting sites . Many birds like to nest in thorny trees /shrubs like canthium inerme or Gymnosporia as these provide safety for them . Shrubs with derse branching patten, such as Grewia also provide good nesting sites.

Question 9. I live near the beach. What can I plant that will survive the salt winds?

A.      There are many species available in the nursery which are native to our coastal /dune vegetation type .However in extreme situation s though they may survive even these may remain stunted by the wind and salt . Some of best options are Trees /Large Shrubs –Brachylaena (nature to Natal coast), Maytenus lucida and procumbens, Rhus glauca, Sideroxylon, Chrysanthemoides incana, Tarchonanthus, etc.

Shrubs – Phylica ericoides, Otholobiumsp, Salvia aurea, Nylantia, Lobostemon, Carissa, etc.

Groundcovers- Osteospermum, Arctotis,Pelargonium capitatum, Disphyma crassifolium,Cliffortia obcodata, Helichrysum sp, etc

Question 10. What can I plant that will be in flower around Christmas time?

A.      While seasonal rhythms and survival strategies dictate that most species flower either in spring or autumn , some do flower in mid summer. Examples are Agapanthus, Polygala varieties , many Erica species , Thunbergia alata, etc. Floering can be extended by feeding withTalbourne 3:1:5 organic fertiliser & by ensuring that the plants do not dry out.

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