Johannesburg - “The succulent plants of southern Africa are astounding”, says local expert, Judd Kirkel.
“They have been marvelled at for hundreds of years and they have gained in popularity over the past 15 years. Many moons ago, most people did not want to incorporate beauties like aloes into their gardens,” he says.
Aloes remain the showgirls of the succulent world and their architecture and beauty give them a huge advantage.
“One must realise that aloes represent only a tiny portion of the brilliant array of succulent flora which southern Africa boasts,” says Kirkel.
“With over 5 000 species and a quarter of the world’s xerophytic flora (plants adapted for growth under dry conditions) on our 2 percent land space on planet earth, succulents have secured their place on the planet and won our hearts and those of our gardens.”
The Succulent Society of SA has been showcasing and promoting succulent plants in its journal for more than 40 years.
“The society produces a fantastic colour A4 journal laden with new species which are still being discovered and coveted by growers and collectors out there. Popular botanists also publish interesting articles on these plants and promote groups across the board,” says Kirkel.
Many indigenous succulent species are grown by international growers and local plantsmen and most local collections and botanical gardens which you see here and abroad, would not be complete without many of the South African succulent species.
“This is true testimony that our succulent flora has made a huge impact on growers and scientists, here and around the world. It has created many solutions and opportunities for scientists, horticulturists growers, nursery owners, gardeners and artists,” he says.
Flowers like stapeliads – the “starfish”, cactus succulents, crassulas – “stonecrops” and mesembryanthemums- the “vygies or figs” are some of the more popular choices. These are also a good place to start or add to your growing collection.
“Aloes are simply the best of choices – not only are they truly African looking but they are excellent plants for attracting wildlife to your garden especially catering for birds and bees. They also provide winter flower interest when most things are just preparing for spring these gems cater for the other times of the year. This means they also provide winter bee food and this definitely goes a long way to making sure our South African bees stay strong”, says Kirkel.
“The Joburg Succulent Society’s Annual Show, which includes a plant sale, displays the plants of members who skilfully grow an array of succulent flora. Each member dips into their vast collections to show their prize plants, some 20 or 50-year-old specimens. They also grow succulents for sale,” he says.
“The public is invited to come and see these amazing homegrown specimens and feast their eyes on the variety of plants grown by the very members who put on the wonderful display plants together. There will be a potting demonstration on the opening morning. Most succulents grow in special habitats like cliffs, rocky ledges and gravel pans,” he says.
The potting demonstration aims to show you how to pot succulents so that they look just as they do in the wild.
The final potted container will be up for raffle to those who have attended the session on the weekend show days.
Plants in all categories will be on show and there will be many experts in their relevant fields of speciality to help answer any questions and solve any myths about this amazing component of South Africa’s flora – our countries succulents.
“You can only imagine that if we have the best and the largest portion of the world’s succulent plants, just think of the stories, lessons, medicinal heritage and facts associated with this incredible group of plants. We should be proud as citizens of this country to know that we have the best succulent flora in the world,” he says.
Interested in succulents?
Attend the Succulent Society’s Annual Succulent Show on Saturday and Sunday, 5th and 6th October. 9am to 5pm daily. Floreum, Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, off Oliphants Road, Emmarentia. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vere cunda
GENERAL TIPS
* In places where grass grows poorly, consider creating a gravel garden or a paved area, leaving occasional spaces for plants. These areas retain heat, so it is essential that hardy, waterwise plants are chosen, such as arctotis, gazania and bulbine.
* Simple forms of topiary prove their worth as permanent features in a garden by adding height but not shade. These basic shapes in the form of clipped balls, cones and standards provide stability and vertical interest throughout the year. Shrubs suitable for clipping include anisodontea, Choisya ternata, Duranta ‘Sheena’s Gold’, dwarf abelia, Euonymus japonicus ‘Microphyllus’, euryops daisy, freylinia, Murraya exotica, Polygala myrtifolia, potato bush (Solanum rantonetti) and westringia.
* Always carry your secateurs when checking annuals such as petunias and marigolds planted in your patio pots so that you can remove dead stems and faded flowers. It is especially important to remove old flowers on annuals or they will stop flowering.
* Silver-grey is a restful shade, and plants in this colour are useful as fillers between different colour groupings or threaded through the garden to give a feeling of continuity. Silver and grey foliage plants, such as artemisia, catmint (nepeta), gazania, lavenders, lamb’s ears (stachys), santolina and artemisia can also be used among dark colours to create a feeling of sunshine and shadow. Silver-grey foliage plants and white and cream flowers remain visible long after other colours disappear in a twilight garden. - Saturday Star