While the many parts of the world are experiencing extreme weather. I am happy to report that in the Western Cape all is normal. The southeaster blows more days than not, the sun shines every day and the temperature is in the early to mid thirties. (Celsius) In my part of the Cape this means hot dry gale force winds have been battering my garden since early December. Although this is routine for this time of the year it doesn’t make it pleasant.
I have had to break my no water rule, as my front garden only established in April 2010 was just crying for water. I have specifically chosen water wise plants that once established will survive our harsh summers, but at the moment some are still too young to endure the daily onslaught of sun and wind. I believe the key to developing strong drought resistant plants is to encourage strong root growth and so if I do water them it is only once a week or even less but then they get a good long soak down at the roots.
Although many plants have taken a battering from the harsh conditions I definitely have some drought tolerant stars
Indigofera jucunda
Gazania rigens
Bulbinella frutescens
Orphium frutescens
I enjoy summer as we get to swim and braai (barbecue) a lot, but by February I have to admit I start looking forward to autumn. Autumn brings relief from the constant wind and the temperatures become more bearable. April is also the best time to plant new plants. As my veggie blogging friends examine seed catalogues I find myself looking for bulbs and studying reference books and the net to find new plants to add to any available space in the garden.
Since I cant do much in the garden we have taken the opportunity to revisit Botanical Gardens and Nature Reserves. In mid January we visited the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens. The pictures will tell the rest.....
Fynbos looks dead boring from a distance, you have to walk in it to appreciate the beauty
Bright red Crassula coccinea
Ericas showing off their dainty beauty
This stream has been colored by the fynbos.
