Blog Posts under "succulents"

With the revival of interest in growing succulents, there has been a flurry of magazine articles, books and TV programmes about how to go about creating a succulent garden. Innovative ideas are presented and glossy pictures illustrate stunning views of pristine gardens, rich with amazing specimens, sculptures and boulders, with spaces and pathways covered with a variety of coloured stones and gravel. The optional word here being 'rich'. Little or no attention is given to the average gardener...

Africa is growing desert like never before in recorded history, and there seems little hope that this trend will be stemmed anytime in the near future. Traditional gardening with leafy water gluttons is a thing of the past  with succulents winning increased popularity around the world.

I have often read about the medicinal properties of Bulbine latifolia (Natalensis), but I have never really made the effort to investigate them.  However, yesterday two events occurred that impressed upon me how important it is to keep this plant close at hand.

This strange plant is called Sarcocaulon vanderietiae (or Bushman’s Candle) and belongs to the geranium family. 

Plants with grey foliage are often very hardy and are ideal for low water zones. The light coloured foliage reflects the sun’s rays away from the plant, thereby keeping the plant cooler, which in turn reduces transpiration.