MEDICINAL and AIR PURIFYING PLANTING
A huge new emphasis is on organic health in the younger generation gardening. Herbs and traditional healing plants. Incidentally South African Durban Poison is the finest medicinal grade marijuana in the world! Avoiding chemicals, mulching to reserve moisture and using oxygen producing plants in interiors.
GABION WALLS
Rather than classical stone or brick walls. Pelindaba rock and mixed stones are being used with typically Stag Horn ferns planted into and on top of the walls
SLASTO OR CRAZY PAVING
Is back! A number one trend in modern gardens overseas
GRASSLAND GARDENS
Young gardeners are reconnecting with nature and planting all kinds of grasses interspersed with clumps of bulbs and non slip porcelain tiles.
WOOD AND METAL
Especially burnt dark wood in hard landscaping – tactile and natural. Wooden textures in outdoor arches and vertical sculpture
COLOUR IS BACK
Riotous and random! Coral pink, big energetic reds, yellows and oranges. Red and purple together is particularly popular mixed with blue and grey, textured plants
MULTISENSORY GARDENS
Mixing riots of colour and fragrant plants.
VERTICAL GARDENING
Still very on trend. Lots of exciting new wall fixtures using recycled plastic. Living walls for Millenials’ apartment walls, using herbs and succulents.
FOOD GARDENING
New huge demand for fruit trees, including Dragon Fruit, nut trees. Landscaping using pumpkins as climbers, artichokes, lettuces among the roses. Urban vegetable gardens on city rooftops. Rainbow maize in Soweto and the famous Rex Union marmalade orange groves being rejuvenated near Magaliesburg. Moving away from chemical fertilisers, looking for natural gardening practices including worm farms.
WATER WISE, INDIGENOUS GARDENING
Planting up species such as plectranthus which survives a dry winter and thrives again in the summer. Pink Mallow rather than roses. Agapanthus and clivias. Use of succulents in sandy areas
POT PLANTING AND GREENING
Using pots on ladders in cramped townhouse complexes, grasses in pots. A new interest in Macrame hanging pot decoration.
DWARF PLANTING
Using dwarf versions of plants in small suburban gardens
TREE CARING
We are having to become aware of the threat of the Shot Hole Borer beetle which is attacking our urban forest in Johannesburg. Learning how to identify the pest and destroying when necessary. Avoid buying firewood on the side of the road which will often bring the pest right into your home. Selecting species of trees to plant which have an immunity – avoiding planting London Plane, White Karee, Coral Trees, Bushwillows, Fig trees and choosing for example Natal lavender, Wild and False Olive.
Melanie’s hot new book GARDEN STYLE is available on order at R300 per copy directly from her.
Contact mel@melstreasures.co.za