If ever there was an instrument of grace, it is gardening. It forces us to slow down, reflect on the world and teaches patience. – Emma Inglis
Walking about my garden, I never fail to be delighted by some new surprise, like an unusual butterfly amaryllis unfurling its maroon and lime petals for the first time, or having a variegated bromeliad produce no less than eight shocking pink buds seemingly overnight.
There are several things that raise my blood pressure in quite another way. A constant one is the porcupine which launches nightly raids on my unsuspecting plants. To avoid too much heartache, I now grow its particular delicacies, like parsley and bulbs, behind a protective barrier.
Another method is to choose plants that porcupines tend to avoid. Happily, there is quite a long list. Among the indigenous species, these include red hot poker (Kniphofia species), dietes, aristea, clivia, agapanthus, Strelizia reginae and the March lily (amaryllis belladona).
Another aggravation is the coastal morning glory (Ipomoea cairica) which is stealthily invading my Simon’s Town garden from either side. This rather pretty creeper with mauve flowers and deeply divided leaves is native to tropical Africa and Asia. In India, it is known as the railway creeper as it is seen so often alongside the tracks there. Some misguided person must have introduced it as an unusual garden subject, not realising that it is capable of very rapid growth in coastal areas.
The warmer weather acts like a catalyst for gardens and gardeners alike.
Timeously, the Constantia Valley Garden Club has reprinted its excellent, well-illustrated handbook, My Gardening Notebook for Western Cape Gardeners. This slim volume is packed with information, giving tips and tasks for the year, besides advice on cultivating popular groups of plants such as clivias, roses and alstroemarias.
The many other topics covered include pest control, fertilisers and even moon planting. This is a most useful gardening manual and would make a fine gift. As I’ve found, in gardening there is always something new to learn.
Copies are available at selected nurseries or from Marianne on 021 715 6005.
Cape Argus