Garden Master - Spring 2023

The 1980s introduced modern xeriscaping, ideal for drought prone areas. This style featured succulents and cacti paired with stone and pebble accents. Colourful clay pots allowed gardeners to create vibrant mosaics of potted succulents. Waterwise Gardening The 1970s witnessed the emergence low-maintenance gardens, reflecting a departure from the labour-intensive care often required by pristine lawns. Gardening on TV arrived with figures like Kristo Pienaar and Keith Kirsten, who popularised indigenous flora and landscaping. During this era, supermarkets influenced gardening trends, and low-maintenance gardens gained interest. TV Gardening & Low-Maintenance Gardens In the 1990s, South African gardeners experienced a blend of trends. Satellite TV brought global gardening influences, resulting in themed gardens like tropical, Japanese, and Provençal styles. Simultaneously, the indigenous plant movement gained prominence, emphasising the importance of native flora in gardens. Droughts spurred waterwise gardening, while garden centres became family-friendly destinations, offering various services and annual garden shows. Tuscany and Indigenous Plant Movement From the 2000s onwards, indoor gardening, particularly pot plants, gained popularity. The COVID-19 pandemic further fuelled this trend, as indoor plants improved air quality and enhanced interior spaces. Notably, Snake Plants are one of the few plants that can convert carbon dioxide to oxygen at night, making it the ideal plant for healthy airflow. Pot plants and Indoor Jungle South African gardening has evolved through these diverse styles and influences, reflecting a deep connection to nature and a dynamic response to changing times and lifestyles. 1980s 1980s 2000s 1990s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s