Forest Plants and Photography, Has Given Her an Even Greater Appreciation for the Interactions Between Plants and Wildlife
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BIRD GARDENS shrub of two metres or grow into a tree of a protected position. It must be planted fronds have tiny hooks that are useful for six metres or more in warmer climes. The in shade and can be used as a single focal securing the structures. plant’s dense, bright green foliage makes point or in a grouping, two metres apart. The foxtail fern can be planted as a single it useful to grow for screening and it can This fast-growing species needs well- specimen or in masses under trees. be trimmed into a hedge. It grows in sun drained, compost-enriched soil and will or shade and has a long flowering period benefit from plenty of leaf litter to simu- Glenice Ebedes is the owner (April to December). It produces green late its natural forest environment. of Grounded Landscaping, berries that ripen to black and attract nu- a Gauteng-based company merous fruit-eating birds. specialising in indigenous, Some excellent companion plants to wildlife-friendly gardens. six of use beneath the tree fuchsia include She is a graduate of Life- Chlorophytum comosum (hen and chick- style College and a member ens), Scadoxus puniceus (paintbrush) and of the Guild of Landscape Veltheimia bracteata (forest lily). Designers. Her passion for the best indigenous plants, com- bined with her hobbies of birdwatching FOREST PLANTS and photography, has given her an even greater appreciation for the interactions between plants and wildlife. She is the au- TEXT & phOTOGRAphS GLENICE EBEDES thor of the recently published book, Gar- SPURFLOWER dener’s Guide: Indigenous Garden Plants Plectranthus species of Southern Africa. There are numerous indigenous Plectran- thus species (above) that vary in height ndigenous plants serve several func- As a medium-sized shrub (about 2.5 the garden acraea Acraea horta butterfly, from 0.2 to 2.5 metres. All make ideal Indigenous Garden Plants tions in the life of birds. In addition metres tall and two metres wide), the sun- and the resultant caterpillars will attract garden subjects and most thrive in shade of Southern Africa to providing perches, plants supply bird bush is fast-growing and may start cuckoos, which feed on them. with the addition of plenty of compost his handy pocket guide introduces Ifood in the form of nectar, fruit or by flowering within a year of being planted. This tree has a non-aggressive root and a leaf-litter mulch. The flowers range some of southern Africa’s most attracting other creatures such as flying system and reaches an average height of in colour but are mainly in shades of beautiful,T beneficial and easy-to-care- insects, lizards, spiders and scorpions. seven metres in favourable conditions. It white, pink and purple. for indigenous plants, giving guidance They also offer breeding birds shelter for is frost hardy and can tolerate a variety Plectranthus plants attract numerous on how best to use them and how nest sites and/or nesting material. of climates. insects, which in turn draw insectivorous to ensure that they flourish. It offers Not only are garden plants useful to birds to the garden. a selection of 145 garden-friendly, birds, but they also enhance our own TREE FUCHSIA low-maintenance trees, shrubs and living space. In the coming issues, I’ll Halleria lucida FOXTAIL FERN bedding plants perfectly adapted to highlight some magnificent indigenous The bushy, evergreen tree fuchsia (below) Asparagus densiflorus our local soils and weather conditions. plants that can be included in most gar- is a renowned wildlife magnet as its dense This delicate-looking evergreen ground- Full-colour photographs show plant dens countrywide to attract more birdlife foliage provides a hiding place for hunt- cover (below) is a wonderful addition to details and in situ planting. Icons in- and enhance biodiversity in our region. ing and feeding birds. It produces nectar- LARGE-LEAVED DRAGON TREE the forest understorey. It has fine, bright dicate whether a species is evergreen In this issue, we feature a collection rich, orange-red tubular flowers that hang Dracaena aletriformis green foliage and produces tiny white or deciduous, frost-hardy, suitable for of plants that are stand-out species in a WILD PEACH on short stalks from the main stems and This beautiful forest plant (above) gives the flowers that are followed by bright red ber- a sunny or shaded position, fast- or forest-themed garden. Kiggelaria africana are hidden by the foliage, enticing nectar- garden a lovely tropical feel with its long, ries beloved by fruit-eating birds. slow-growing, water-wise, fragrant The wild peach (above) is a lovely ever- feeding species such as sunbirds. dark-green, leathery leaves. In summer it Some bird species may use the plant and attractive to insects or birds. SUNBIRD BUSH green tree that in nature is found in forests The tree fuchsia varies in size depending bears tiny white, strongly-scented flowers in the construction of their nests, as the To stand a chance to win a copy of Metarungia longistrobus and bushveld. It is a low-branching tree on the environment. It can remain a small on an upright stalk. These are followed by Glenice’s new book, gen- This rather unusual plant (above) truly that can serve as a windbreak or screening orange-red berries that are favoured by erously donated by the lives up to its common name. It produces element for a medium-sized garden. birds such as bulbuls. The older leaves dry publisher Struik Nature, orange, lobster-like tubular flowers from It produces tiny, bell-shaped flowers and remain on the plant, drooping against simply e-mail editor@ late summer through autumn and the with male and female flowers borne on the trunk and providing hiding spots for birdlife.org.za with your flowers are irresistible to sunbirds, even separate trees. The female flowers de- small lizards, spiders and other insects, name, full street address if the plant is positioned close to moder- velop into round, greenish-yellow fruits which in turn attract birds that prey on and telephone number, ate human activity. that split to reveal bright orange-red them. Small birds like robins may some- using ‘Forest Plants’ in This shrub thrives in semi-shade and will centres. The fruit is enjoyed by Red- times nest in the leaf axils. the subject line. Entries benefit from being pruned back after flow- eyed Doves, Dark-capped Bulbuls, Cape The large-leaved dragon tree prefers for this lucky draw close ering to encourage a dense form. It does Robin-chats, mousebirds and white-eyes. slightly warmer environments but can on Friday, 23 June 2017. well in semi-shade on a forest margin. The wild peach is the larval host plant of withstand Highveld winters if planted in 70 AFRICAN BIRDLIFE MAY/JUNE 2017 GARDENING 71.