SOUTH AFRICA

INDIGENOUS GARDENING

GROWING INDIGENOUS SOUTH AFRICAN PLANTS

There are many beautiful indigenous South African plants to be appreciative of. The Fynbos Biome, for example, is world-renowned, with the 100-200 km wide Cape Floral Region classified as the world’s seventh Floral Kingdom. It’s important to protect our indigenous species as they are ideally suited to our nation’s terrains and various microclimates. For example, Fynbos has evolved to cope with veld fires and, in many cases, needs the smoke and heat of fire to germinate its seeds. Several indigenous South African plants also contain unique properties and are used to develop life-enhancing medicines. Once indigenous plants become extinct, they are lost forever, and hence more South African gardeners are planting indigenous shrubs and trees in their gardens.

THE BENEFITS

01

LOW MAINTENANCE

Indigenous South African plants are hardy and low-maintenance.

02

WATER WISE

They require little water as they have adapted to survive with natural rainfall.

03

PEST RESISTANT

Many of our country’s indigenous plants have an increased resistance to local insects and diseases.

04

CLIMATE ADAPTED

Indigenous South African plants are often drought-tolerant and cope well in hot conditions.

05

NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL

Several attractive varieties are grown purely for aesthetic purposes, adding natural beauty to any garden.

06

BEE FRIENDLY

Indigenous South African plants are often rich in nectar, attracting birds, butterflies and insects to the garden.

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