“Always try to grow in your garden some plant or plants out of the ordinary, something your neighbours never attempted. For you can receive no greater flattery than to have a gardener of equal intelligence stand before your plants and ask, ‘What is that?’” – Richardson Wright
Cape Town - During my recent travels in the northern hemisphere, I was impressed yet again by how many of our plants have become popular, and flourish there.
Kentish cottage gardens, for instance, bloomed generously with our lovely pink nerinas (Nerine bowdenii), and the agapanthus was so widespread many growers did not realise it was South African, while the botanic garden in Madeira was richly stocked with our indigenous plants, particularly aloes.
In Madeira, too, I noticed trees of my favourite fruit, the custard apple or cherimoya. This small, compact tree with velvety guava-like leaves, bears fruit with bumpy, tough green exteriors and delicious, creamy interiors laden with shiny black seeds.
The taste of this fruit resembles a mixture between a pear and mango.
Readily available some years ago, the custard apple seems, for some reason, to have disappeared from the local scene. The plant originated from sub-tropical areas of South America.
I know of two trees that did well in Bergvliet and Plumstead gardens, and wonder why it hasn’t become more popular here.
The passionfruit, or granadilla, is a tasty fruit from South America (Brazil, in fact). It does well in a variety of climes, and in the market at Funchal I saw five kinds, including the bananadilla.
The most commonly grown ones here, however, are the purple and black varieties.
This easy-to-grow vine can be trained up a trellis or across wires over a car port or patio to provide welcome shade in summer as well as unusual, attractive flowers and fruit. Bamboo stakes should be used initially to support the plants and train them upwards. Pinch out the sideshoots of young vines to encourage one stem, until the plant reaches the supporting wires.
The fast-growing granadilla thrives in full sun and in a variety of soils, except those with poor drainage. Plant it in an area protected from strong winds and expect a crop in about six months.
Vines can remain productive for up to six years.
The tangy pulp of granadillas is deservedly popular for use in fruit salads, ice creams, jellies, sorbets and juices, as well as for adding a sweet-sour flavour to cheesecakes.
Cape Argus