Local heroes
Gardens are often created in difficult conditions – think of patches of green in a dusty Karoo town, pockets of brightly-coloured flowers among rocky outcrops and seashore plantings buffeted by relentless winds – with plants that have stood the test of time and the whims of fashion. And many of the stalwarts grown in gardens around the world have their origins in South Africa. Agapanthus, arum, Diascia, Crocosmia, Gazania, red-hot poker, Nerine, protea and watsonia are just some of our many floral treasures that provide colour in gardens both here and abroad, while pelargoniums have long been favourite plants for window boxes, containers and hanging baskets across Europe.
Heritage Day on 24 September is a celebration of the amazing wealth of our plant kingdom and a reminder to…
