Garden Master - Spring 2023

Gardening in South Africa has evolved over the years, reflecting changing tastes and environmental considerations. Here's a closer look at how gardening styles have transformed throughout the decades. The 1960s, as cottage gardens gained popularity in South Africa, there was a clear shift from traditional lawns to a more functional and colourful garden space. These cottage gardens, located beside homes, combined local flowers, food, and herbs. Cottage gardens radiated a charming blend of playfulness, vibrant colours, functionality, and natural beauty.  Natural-looking rockeries replaced formal terraces and curves in flowing lines dominated perimeter borders and kidney-shaped island beds. The majority of gardeners continued the practice of adorning these areas with a vibrant mix of colours, achieved through the use of flowering shrubs, roses, perennials, and seasonal annuals, creating a delightful burst of hues reminiscent of a fruit salad. Cottage Garden Style Awelani, our pot planting pro, suggests adding or replacing potting soil occasionally and replanting pot plants that have outgrown their pots to ensure your indoor plants flourish. Styl Garde Which tickles your fancy? In the 1950s, South African gardens celebrated wildflower meadows adorned with red poppies, white daisies, and vibrant blue cornflowers. These meadows resembled a scene from Alice in Wonderland. Modern meadows have evolved with bold ornamental grasses and tight-knit crews of perennials, offering an enchanting garden party atmosphere.  Wildflower Garden Style 1950s 1960s 1950s 1960s