We South Africans have an enviable lifestyle - good weather coupled with an informal, outdoor approach to living, garden entertaining and relaxing. We enjoy being outside and have a generous, welcoming approach to life, and with those with whom we share it. We have a relatively young society with space, less restrictive conventions and, I believe, an expansive, brave and flexible way of viewing the world that is reinforced by our consciousness of nature on our doorsteps.
African gardens embrace nature. We are allowed opportunities for terraces that lead from our living spaces directly out and into the garden; communal outdoor spaces for cooking, eating and playing; as well as outdoor sanctuary-like zones for bathing, sleeping and working. Plus, there is almost always a fireplace. African gardens incorporate local materials into the backbone of the garden such as African hardwoods; naturally occurring granite rock and Table Mountain sandstone; a plethora of beautifully-coloured sands and ample clay for sustainable laterite surfaces. Our gardens are at their best when the interaction between the built and planted elements is intimately connected and the boundaries between inside and out, people and plants, are blurred.
In terms of planting to achieve this look, iconic gems with origins on the African continent include species such as Acacia trees, especially the flat-crown types with peeling bark such as the Monkey Thorn (Senegalia galpinii) and uMngamanzi (Vachellia robusta). Other favourites are African coral trees such as the Coastal coral tree (Erythrina caffra) and lucky bean tree (Erythrina lysistemon). Their flamining red flowers begin their vivid show during winter and bloom through spring. If one has space, few trees are more majestic than our large African figs - think the Mutuba or Natal fig (Ficus natalensis) and the Lagos rubbertree (Ficus lutea) - both trees being a treat for birds that feast on their fruit. African Combretum trees (Combretum erythrophyllum) for their unmistakable seed pods; indigenous olive trees for their characterful shapes; and out Stinkwood tree (Celtis africana) for its archetypal grandeur are all species I love to include in the garden.
To evoke a quintessential African landscape, I use aloes of all varieties - particularly the large, bold ones like the Candelabra aloe (Aloe arborescens) and tree aloe or boomaalwyn (Aloidendron barberae). Grasses such as thatching grass (Hyparrhenia hirta) add wonderful movement to the garden and is so evocative of the grassy vegetation found in the northern-eastern parts of South Africa and neighbouring countries. Reeds, too, not only look great but support nesting local birdlife.
Written by Franchesca Watson
