SOUTH AFRICAN PLANTS FOR OUR GARDENS
by Sandie Hall
South Africa has been in the headlines often during the past few weeks. It was host to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. More recently, a little known golfer named Louis Oosthuizen, a South African, stunned the golfing world with a seven-stroke victory at the British Open last Sunday. And ironically, Oosthuizen won on the same day South Africa celebrated the birthday of former president Nelson Mandela.
South Africa has much to offer the horticultural world, too. Many of its native plants are beautiful and hardy, and would make great additions to the landscapes and gardens of Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania. Although our hardiness zones are not precisely matched, they are close enough to allow us to grow some lovely specimens as annuals or even tender perennials. Continue reading to explore the possibilities!
Arctotis venusta (Blue-eyed African Daisy)
A member of the Compositae family, this perky little flower can be grown as a half-hardy annual. It grows to between 2 ½ and 3 ½ feet in height, and has an upright, branching habit. The 3” flower heads bob merrily on long peduncles (stalks). They have an iridescent blue-violet center and the white ray flowers (petals) have an undersurface of silvery blue. The flowers must have sun to open and will close in the evenings or on cloudy days.
These plants need full sun, perform best in average to poor soil, and are drought tolerant. They are easily started from seed indoors and transplanted outside when night temperatures reliably reach 50 degrees. They will bloom throughout the summer well into heavy frost. Other hybrids and varieties, in numerous color combinations, are becoming widely available.
Gazania rigens (Treasure-flower)
Another member of the Compositae family, this flower can be grown in our climate as a tender annual. It has a low and sprawling growth habit between 8 and 12 inches in height (depending on the cultivar or hybrid), often spreading to 16 inches. The slender oblanceolate leaves have a silvery cast to them, which adds to the overall visual interest of this plant. The straight species has 3” flowers held just above the foliage, with yellow to orange ray flowers (petals) and dark brown shading at the base. However, many color choices are available: yellow with a red stripe, pure yellow, cream, orange, pink, and red.
This would be a great choice for an annual groundcover. It should be situated in full sun in light, well-drained, sandy, moderately fertile soil. It is drought and heat tolerant, especially when established early in the season. Butterflies love the flowers, but so do rabbits! If rabbits are a problem in your area, grow these in containers – they will perform just as well.
Osteospermum ecklonis
Yet another member of the popular Compositae family, Osteospermum are grown as an annual in the Northeast. They may be low-growing, sprawling, upright or rounded in habit, depending on the cultivar. They range in height from 1 to 2 ½ feet. The soft, fleshy, bright green foliage contrasts beautifully with the white daisy-like ray flowers of the straight species plant. The flower centers are iridescent blue. Cultivars are available in lots of color choices such as pink, purple, violet, yellow and gold, to name a few.
These plants are cool season bloomers, which means they will reliably bloom in spring/early summer, take a break in the summer heat, and bloom again in the cooler temperatures of autumn, even well into frosts. But don’t let their lack of summer blooms deter you – the foliage adds a lovely texture to the garden all by itself. Plant them in full sun (the flowers need full sun to open), in well-drained garden soil. They appreciate water, so monitor the moisture level closely. Breeders are currently working on producing Osteospermum that can take the heat of American and European summers. Check out www.osteospermum.com for more details and loads of information.
Diascia integerrima (Twinspur)
This delicate-looking but robust flower is a member of the Schrophulariaceae (Snapdragon) family. If you know anything about Snapdragons, you will have an idea about the inflorescence habit of this plant. It is a half-hardy annual (it can even tolerate frost in the fall) with an upright, clump-forming habit, growing to 1 ½ feet tall. The grey-green foliage is concentrated mostly around the lower part of the stems, with taller, prodigiously floriferous spikes rising upward. Small, graceful, cup-shaped flowers are rose-pink with a yellow and maroon splotch in the center. The common name, Twinspur, derives from two posterior spurs on each flower.
Diascia integerrima enjoys a long bloom season from early summer through the first frost. Plant it in full sun in very well-drained garden soil. It must have excellent drainage, so add some grit to your soil if necessary. It is heat and drought tolerant, and would work well in a rock garden, container, or groundcover application.
When making plans for your 2011 garden, remember to include some of these South African beauties. You’ll be glad you did!