Newsletter Spring 2017 edition From our Chairperson Edition 3 of 2017 – officially the and a wheelie bin full of water which well. The Randburg Sun of 7 Sep- Committee and exercise classes Spring Edition – but we seemed they drag with them to fill the water- tember had information on official are held on Friday mornings – to have bypassed spring and have ing cans / buckets. This concession watering times and water tariffs. this has made it difficult for us to moved straight into summer! only applies to COMMON AREA This information is also on the no- schedule this talk during the past lawns and gardens in the Village. tice board at the entrance to the weeks. We are hopeful that we’ll receive Service Centre. Please read the rain soon to water in the lawn dress- We do appeal to residents for their notice board if you did not get a As always, my sincere thanks and ing in the common areas and trans- assistance here – if you are able copy of the Randburg Sun. appreciation to our dedicated and form our lawns to a beautiful emer- to, please assist us by watering the hardworking Garden Committee. ald green. common area lawns and gardens The application of lawn dressing on near your unit. This can be done common area lawns is proceeding Happy Spring gardening! Officially we do still have water re- after you have finished watering smoothly. This is a very labour in- strictions in place. Watering is only your own garden. You could even tensive task and we carefully select permitted between 6 p.m. (18:00 for arrange with one or two of your sites on common areas where the Doreen Meet the committee the army types) and 6 a.m. (06:00) neighbours to take turns to water 5-cubic meter load can be dumped. – that is, watering is not allowed these common areas so that you These sites are chosen to be close Doreen Dennehy Unit 41 5243 during the daytime. Thanks to the don’t have to do it every time you to the area where the dressing Louise (Lu) Penberthy Unit 163 5389 Inside... Margie Lockwood Unit 133 5451 efforts of Martin Lockwood, Mr. water your own garden. We ap- must be applied and also such that, Sun & Shade 2 Beryl Taylor Unit 161 5388 Cele, our Ward Councillor, has giv- peal to all residents for your as- wherever possible, the garden staff Jim Taylor Unit 161 5388 en us 1 extra hour per day to water sistance and cooperation in this push wheelbarrows full of dress- Feverfew 3 Thersia Tait Unit 47 5227 common area gardens and lawns. regard. Should we not get good ing, downhill. We intend to cover Monica Hall Unit 436 5209 Our Trees 4 He kindly agreed to this when we rains, water restrictions are likely all common area lawns, so please told him that our garden staff only to become more stringent, so it is bear with us. We are not doing the Our Little Garden 5 arrive at work at 7 a.m. and leave in our interest to appreciate that inside of the attenuation dams on Succulent Success 6 at 4 p.m. We are allowed to wa- water is a scarce resource and to the Eastern boundary. ter common areas with hoses and use it sparingly. Please remember Garden Couch / Spring 7 sprinklers up to 8 a.m. On Tuesdays to collect the cold water in your Our talk on fertilisers will happen and Wednesdays (bin days) they shower while you wait for the hot at some future time. Sonja, from may use this 1 hour concession in water to come through the system. Efekto, is only available on Thurs- the late afternoon before they leave. You could also use a large jug in day or Friday mornings. Unfortu- For the rest of the day, the garden- your kitchen and bathroom basins nately, the hall has for some weeks ers will use watering cans / buckets to collect that initial cold water as been booked by the Procurement Clerodendrum slow release fertilizer in spring and iature foxgloves). The self-seeding summer and trim to shape. habit makes it ideal to cover embank- Sun & Shade ugandense ments and retaining walls. Keep the In all suburban gardens, trees, buildings and perimeter fences cre- (Blue butterfly bush) 1.8m x 1.2m – Dyschoriste ate shifting patterns of shade creating challenging conditions that An attractive semi-deciduous shrub thunbergiifolia (Purple bells require careful plant selections. Plants on the south side of walls with lush foliage and blue butter- or Persklokkies) 1.6m x 1.6m – A receive no sun at all during the winter and may then be scorched fly-like flowers from spring to late shrub with soft green leaves and by the midday sun at the height of summer. Many shade plants summer. Feed large purple trumpet-shaped flow- plant in check as it grows like a weed will tolerate morning sun but areas receiving hot afternoon sun with slow release and will overgrow other plants. require plants from the following indigenous plant palette for sun or organic fertil- and shade. This palette is dedicated to those adaptable plants that izer and water Plectranthus will cope with extremes and flourish in both sun and shade. regularly for more madagascariensis 30cm x flowers. 50cm – A spreading groundcover with green or variegated semi-suc- Hypoestes aristata ers in summer. This fast growing culent leaves and sprays of white (Ribbon bush or Lintbos) 1.5m x 1m colourful plant loves water but is flowers in autumn. This plant is – A rounded evergreen shrub with also fairly drought tolerant. hardy and water-wise and can be masses of purple or white flowers planted in retaining walls and in low in autumn and early Stachys aethiopica (Kattek- maintenance areas of the garden. Duvernoia adhatodoides mer followed by small red berries winter. Bees and in- ruid) 40cm x 50cm – A creeping Use in containers and hanging bas- (Pistol bush or Pistoolbos) 3.5m x is autumn. This plant is drought sectivores such as groundcover with kets as the variegated leaves bright- 3m – A large fast growing evergreen tolerant but will thrive if fed and robins, barbets and small toothed en any planting. This plant requires shrub with clusters of fragrant watered regularly. This species re- thrushes visit the leaves and dainty far less feeding and pruning than white flowers that appear in sum- sponds well to pruning and makes flowers. The ribbon white flowers in most other plectranthus species. mer. The seed pods burst open with a good bonsai subject for balconies. bush is water-wise, hardy and tends spring. This plant a loud crack when ripe, hence the to self-seed but not excessively. will thrive in san- Crassula spathulata 10cm and name pistol bush. A useful screen- Ocimum labiatum dy soils in semi-shade but needs spreading – A succulent ground- ing and attractive container plant, if 1.5m x 1.5m Pelargonium zonale regular watering when planted in cover with small bright green leaves. fed pruned and watered regularly. A semi-deciduous rounded shrub (Horseshoe pelargonium or Wilde full sun. Use as a groundcover under The star shaped white to pink flow- with soft aromatic leaves and spikes malva) 1.5m x 1.5m – A lush-look- trees, edging for borders or in hang- ers are carried in clusters at the tips Carissa bispinosa of delicate pink or mauve flowers. ing shrub with large round leaves ing baskets. Trim and feed regularly. of the branches. This plant is the (Forest num-num or Bosnoem-no- This water-wise and clusters of bright pink flowers Asystasia gangetica (creep- ideal groundcover as it remains flat em) 2m x 2m plant will flower on and off all year, ing foxglove) 30cm and needs little maintenance. A thorny shrub with glossy dark from summer to peaking in early x 80cm. A fast grow- green foliage and clusters of sweet- winter and will summer. This fast ing groundcover with ly scented benefit from an- growing shrub will dark green leaves and Page 2 white flow- nual composting thrive in full sun to creamy white tubular ers in sum- and or mulching. full shade. Feed with flowers (like min- Planting herbs as natural FeverfewTanacetum Parthenium insecticides tling medicinal uses as far back as 1633. contain sufficient quantities of the active Use herb plants in your flower or vegetable garden With frequent use, feverfew reduces the ingredient to be effective. Migraine suf- as natural repellents for insects and pests. frequency, duration and severity of mi- ferers are rather advised to chew three or graine headaches and the symptoms as- four fresh leaves daily. Over time, this has Plant mint plants from the fam- sociated with them. It is most effective been proved to be medicinally effective. A ily Mentha Labiatae (Pepper- when used as a preventative. It works by precautionary note. People on prescribed mint, Spearmint, Pennyroyal) inhibiting serotonin and histamine which blood thinning medication should not in- or Nasturtium to keep aphids at bay. Feverfew is a flowering plant in the daisy dilate cranial blood vessels. It helps to gest Feverfew, as it may interfere with the family Asteraceae. Originally native to prevent the spasms in these blood vessels rate of blood-clotting. Asia Minor and the Balkans, it is now that trigger migraines. common throughout the world. Besides the curative abilities of this amaz- This much researched herb is also an ef- ing little plant, it really is a must in any Feverfew is a composite perennial with a fective remedy for the relief of pain and small garden. The delightful foliage and large number of small daisy-like yellow inflammation associated with arthritis, sunny little flowers bobbing in the spring flowers. The delicate feathery pale green and alleviates hay fever, asthma and oth- breeze is enough to make your day, and a leaves form a dense matt from which the er allergic conditions. huge plus is that a few plants will keep all stalks, bearing the flowers, appear. the bugs and aphids away. Feverfew has many medicinal uses – it Nasturtiums has been observed to repel whiteflies, The whole plant has a strong, almost bit- reduces fever and congestion in colds, References: The Internet; Better health through natural healing squash bugs, and striped pumpkin beetles and as ter smell which acts as a natural insecti- eases pain in sciatica and shingles and is and The Fragrant Pharmacy. an extra bonus use the Nasturtium flowers in your an excellent liver tonic. cide. salads and as garnish on other dishes. There are three methods of propagation The herb should be harvested just as the - seed, root division and cuttings. They For healthy pest free vegetables consider inter- plant comes into flower. Leaves are re- will establish themselves quickly in a sun- planting with Rosemary, moved from the stalks and air-dried. The ny position and will give, year after year, Sage, Thyme, Calendula or dried leaves are then steeped in boiling an abundant supply of blooms with very Wormwood. little care. water to make an infusion which is taken three times a day. Keep containers planted with Feverfew leaves and flowers have been Lemon grass on balconies and Feverfew capsules are readily available used medicinally for centuries. The Brit- patios as a natural mosquito at health stores and selected pharma- Page 3 ish herbalist Gerard repellent. recorded it’s star- cies, but beware, many capsules may not In this issue we continue to showcase the trees that we From Trees of Southern Africa by Keith Coates Palgrave and Field Guide to Trees of plant with the money raised by the committee. Southern Africa by Braam van Wyk and Piet Our TREES van Wyk. Halleria lucida Galpinia (Tree-fuchsia or Notsung) – This large Millettia grandis transvaalica shrub or small evergreen tree with a (Umzimbeet or Omsambeet) (Wild pride-of-India or Transvaal- spreading drooping crown is easily grown A medium sized well shaped, shady, deco- liguster) in the garden. The thin leathery leaves are rative, fast growing tree with a somewhat A small to medium sized evergreen tree shiny and bright green without hairs. Or- flattened crown. The new leaves are dark to with glossy dark green leathery leaves. ange to brick-red tubular flowers, rich in bluish green above with reddish brown hairs Small white flowers with crinkly petals nectar, appear in clusters during the win- below. Beautiful purple to mauve pea shaped cover the tree from November to May. ter and last well into the summer months. The fruit is flowers are borne on upright spikes during The fruit is small spherical capsules edible but has a rather sickly sweet taste and is only summer. The fruit is a large woody flat pod, pink to red- used in times of food- splitting and spiraling when mature during June to Septem- dish brown shortages. The tree is ber. The wood and appear in attractive to a large va- is heavy, hard dense clusters riety of birds and thus and strong and during the has additional value in makes beauti- winter. a small urban garden. ful and durable walking sticks and furniture. Heteropyxis canescens (Bastard lavender tree or Basterlaventel- boom) Croton gratissimus A small tree with grey bark and narrow ellip- (Lavender fever-berry or Laventel koorsbessie) tical leaves with the lower surface covered in A shrub or small ornamental tree often associated greyish hairs. The tree is semi-deciduous and with rocky outcrops. The name means ‘most pleas- bears greenish-yellow flowers from Septem- ant’ and this tree would be well worth introduc- ber to March. The fruit ing into more gardens. The leaves are bright green is pale brown capsules above and silvery white and hairy below. appearing from March to July. The leaves and The flower buds are on the tree for months before roots of the tree are used the long slender drooping spikes of cream to yellow medicinally. flowers open in spring. The San use the aromatic Page 4 leaves in dried or powdered form as perfume, and the powdered bark to treat bleeding gums. Our Little Garden

The small piece of grass leading off the main passage directly behind the Hall, has always been a bit of an eye sore. Various ideas have been put forward for some time now trying to come up with a plan to transform this small area into something that is more pleasing to the eye.

So, when Antionette Dreyer donated plants and features from her previous home in Pre- toria, the Garden Committee decided that this was the ideal opportunity to do something that would benefit all of us. With the help of Clement and his team, members of the Garden Committee set to work.

The result of their labours is now a most pleasing garden that has transformed this once barren section of the Apartments into a garden that can be enjoyed by all.

Page 5 Nine shade loving succulents Agave Sansevieria Aloe extreme heat as this shade-tolerant Attenuata Trifasciata Maculata succulent prefers light shade though (Lion’s Tail, Fox (Mother-In-Law’s (Soap Aloe) it can do well in full coastal sunlight. Tail, Swan’s Tongue, Snake Soap aloe is a Crassula ovata is a popular choice Neck Agave) Plant) highly-adapt- for bonsai and benefits from prun- Agave attenu- This succulent can able succulent ing as the leaves can make the plant ata are extremely take neglect as it can that grows na- top-heavy. These plants can grow easy to grow. Un- handle less fertile tively in Southern Africa. When to 1m - 2m tall and come in variet- less you intend to soil and infrequent planted in the shade, the leaves turn ies that include variegated or orange prune, leave space for these plants, watering. In fact, too much water more blue-green versus pink-red in leaves. which can grow up to 1.5m tall and and cold is one of the things that can full sun. Plants grow approximately wide. Rosettes can grow up to 1.2m kill the plant so make sure to protect 0.5m tall and 0.6m wide with year- Sedum Ternatum creased sun exposure. Aeonium wide and mature plants can send up it from extensive rain. Sansevieria round, up to 1m flower spikes. (Woodland Sedum) kiwi grows slowly to about 60cm tall a 1m - 3m flower stalk. These hearty trifasciata is a common houseplant A pretty groundcover, this versatile and wide. It’s monocarpic, which plants like both sun and shade. known for its sword-like leaves, but Crassula Ovata sedum can grow in full sun or full means it will die after flowering, it grows well outdoors in shade (pre- (Jade Plant, Friendship Tree, Lucky somewhere in the neighborhood of ferred) or semi-sun. Plant or Money Plant) 5 years. Agave Bracetosa This plant is also featured on Page (Spider Agave, Squid Agave) 2. This popular plant is native to Agave Celsii South Africa and sprouts pretty (Agave Mitis) white and pink flowers around jade Agave celsii is native to Mexico and green, fleshy, round leaves. Avoid blue-green leaves that gracefully Haworthia arch upward. Rosettes and can grow Native to South Africa, Haworthia up to 1m, tall and wide. This clump- is a group of 144 listed succulents shade. It is a popular addition to ing succulent can tolerate shade or that actually prefer shade or filtered container plants and zen gardens, sun and humidity. sun, with a handful of exceptions. Slow-growing to 0.5m tall and up to because it is not as sensitive to mois- They vary in size (usually small), 1m wide, Agave bracetosa is one of ture as other succulent groundcov- color and shape with some having the smallest agave plants. After about ers. attractively-patterned leaves. Use 10-15 years, the mother plant sends Haworthia for container planting, up a spectacular white flower spike Aeonium Kiwi however, make sure to use deep pots before dying. The young suckers be- This shade-tolerant succulent grows as their root structures are long. low the rosette will perpetuate the well in either partial or full shade, Page 6 plant. Agave bracetosa has no spines with margins a cream color in the and can also be grown indoors. shade that become pinker with in- From the Garden Couch It’s the season – My mother was Spring has sprung and Summer is here rushed to the hospital following a serious tumble. There the staff There once were folk who allowed their gardens to grow placed a band around her wrist with And sprinkled seeds for their flowers to grow large letters warning: Fall Risk. The birds then arrived with their sweet song Unimpressed, Mom said to me, And the insects and bees joined them in the throng Residents do watch your gardens as the beauty unfolds “I’ll have them know I’m a winter, From your labours, the colours from purples to golds. spring, and summer risk too.” Continue to work through a season so warm And you will be rewarded by beauty from dawn through to dusk Expanding – I spotted several Taking a gamble pairs of men’s Levi’s at a garage Summer is here and rains are a’coming Be prepared to enjoy the bees and their humming As the hostess at the casino buffet sale. They were sizes 30, 31, and 32, showed me to my table, I asked her to The birds will join them with songs that are pure but I was looking for size 33. So I asked And the insects will make our Summer just so easy to endure. keep an eye out for my husband, who the owner if he had a pair. would be joining me momentarily. I He shook his head. “I’m still wearing Be thankful for our gardens so colourful and green started to describe him: “He has gray the 33s,” he said. “Come back next To be surrounded by flowers and trees which can be seen From windows and doors as we go about our day hair, wears glasses, has a potbelly …” year.” Find the beauty which surrounds us in every single way She stopped me there. “Honey,” she said, “today is senior day. They all look Super Powers – The sight of my like that.” mother cleaning her dentures fascinat- Thank you to the following residents who donated plants, equipment ed my young son. He sat riveted as she etc. for use in the common area gardens: Fishing carefully took them out, brushed and Maureen Adams - Unit 51 Val Pearse - Unit 22 “Poor Old fool,” thought the well- rinsed them, and then popped them Antoinette Dreyer - Unit 360 June Caunter - Unit 432 dressed gentleman as he watched an back in. “Cool, Grandma!” he said. Lu Penberthy - Unit 163 Mandy Green - Unit 303 old man fish in a puddle outside a pub. “Now take off your arm.” Doreen Dennehy - Unit 41 Rynette Spray - Unit 549 Derek Saunderson - Unit 344 Connie Commin - Unit 321 So he invited the old man inside for a Rita Coetzee - Unit 102 Lien Mostert - Unit 149 drink. As they sipped their whiskeys, Last Laugh – Wandering inside a pet A special thank you to Malcolm Fox of Unit 23. Malcolm spends a lot of time on our irrigation the gentleman thought he’d humor store, I stopped in front of a birdcage system. He fixes leaks and keeps the whole system in good working order. the old man and asked, “So how many to admire a parakeet. We watched Thanks also to the many residents who anonymously donate plants for the common area gardens have you caught today?” The old man each other for a few minutes before it and to the growing and committed team of residents who are always willing to assist us with replied, “You’re the eighth.” asked, “Can’t you talk?” watering these gardens. Your help and interest in the Village is much appreciated.

Edited by committee members. Some information from the Internet (Public Domain.)

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