Online Reporter
Andrew Mangwarara
THIS WEEK, we are showcasing vibrant plants that can bring a burst of colour. Some of these plants are found in a garden in Belvedere.
Remember, thoughtful plant selection is key to ensuring year-round visual appeal in your garden.
Our first plant to consider is the golden shower (pyrostegia venusta), a stunning climber with vibrant orange flowers.
It creates a striking impression when trained over entrances, arches or pergolas.
You can also cultivate it along a fence for a spectacular floral display when it blooms.
Another unique winter bloomer is the poinsettia (euphorbia pulcherrima), a shrub that offers a wide spectrum of colours, from rich reds to sunny yellows and more. Its flowers last for an extended period during winter, adding much-needed colour to the often-dry garden.
Some varieties feature single flowers, while others boast double blooms with interesting, long stems.
As winter approaches, many aloes are also beginning to flower.
Just to name a few, consider species like aloe inyangensis, aloe malorthii, aloe arborescens, aloe cryptopoda, aloe zebrina and aloe excelsa.
This plant starts modestly but transforms into a colourful blooming spectacle. It enjoys a long flowering period and its seeds readily germinate, allowing it to spread easily throughout the garden with minimal effort.
The busy lizzy family (impatiens varieties) includes numerous other cultivars specifically bred for their showy blooms, which thrive during winter months and well into spring.
Another resilient garden choice is the black-eyed Susan (rudbeckia species), a common sight in many gardens.
Its cheerful yellow flowers resemble other daisy-like blooms.
We cannot discuss garden staples without mentioning the magnificent agapanthus (agapanthus orientalis). This plant produces beautiful clusters of bell-shaped white flowers on tall, upright stalks that rise above clumps of narrow, strap-like green leaves. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage re-blooming.
It is also a suitable container plant for colder regions and flourishes in full sun or partial shade.
A noteworthy shrub is red meg (megaskepasma erythroclamys), which can reach up to two metres in height and features striking red flowers with white speckles.
It can be easily propagated using hardwood cuttings planted in river sand.
Green is indeed another valuable colour in the garden, as seen in the cycad (cycas revoluta), with both healthy male and female plants adding structural interest.
Wherever strelitzia is planted, it is sure to impress. The two common strelitzia varieties — strelitzia reginae and strelitzia Nicolai — both produce the iconic bird of paradise flower.
Strelitzia reginae displays yellow blooms, while strelitzia nico lai has white flowers.
Last, but certainly not the least for this week, is the belladonna lily (amaryllis belladonna).
This bulb is typically large, brown and rounded, with a moderate growth rate.
Its large clusters of fragrant, trumpet-shaped pink or white flowers are borne on long, purplish-red and green stems, appearing approximately 50 centimetres above the soil.
Each flowering stem can produce up to 12 individual flowers.
Gardens come alive, thanks to plants, so take your time to choose wisely or do not hesitate to seek professional guidance.
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Online Reporter