Durban - Yes, we are now officially in autumn, in spite of the weather suggesting otherwise, and the days are rapidly getting shorter, with the autumn equinox set for March 21.
But autumn is very much KwaZulu-Natal’s second spring, says seasoned Durban gardening expert Eric Burgess.
“With days now becoming milder, but still warm, and the rains continuing for a while, March is an ideal time to plant,” he adds.
“How time flies in the garden. Some plants and trees have already started to take on the beginnings of their autumn plumage, among them crotons, which always look their best from March.
“The soil is still warm and this encourages root development, so ‘transplant shock’ is minimised. The late summer warm weather means that newly planted shrubs will still grow quite a bit before winter, and so will be more established by next spring.
“In fact, many nurserymen will tell you that autumn is the best time of all to plant.”
Burgess says he loves this time of the year, when so many trees are in flower.
“KwaZulu-Natal, and Durban in particular, is famous throughout the world for the thousands of tibouchinas that flower twice a year here. Tibouchinas have purple flowers in their natural habitat in South America, and Durban was the only place in the world that had pink ones (which have now been exported all over).
“If you are observant you will also see the stunning Tibouchina mutabilis, which is a more upright-growing variety with10cm flowers that open white and fade to pink, then mauve, rather like a yesterday, today and tomorrow plant, in reverse. There are some good specimens in Westville and Pinetown.”
Durban is also famous for two other trees – the flamboyant (Delonix regia), and Colville’s glory tree (Colvillea racemosa).
“Flamboyants have been bedazzling residents and visitors alike for years with their tablecloths of red flowers that cover their spreading crowns. They are abundant in the Glenwood area of Durban, where they line many streets and road islands.
“A drive down Clark Road when they are in flower is a sight not forgotten. Also, the Colville’s glory tree may be seen as a spectacular street tree in the Innes Road/Florida Road areas of Morningside. It has red/orange flowers that hang in bunches that cover the tree.
“Interestingly, both trees originate from Madagascar, where they are vulnerable or threatened species in the wild.”
Our hot summers and warm climate are also ideal for hibiscus, a true flower of the tropics – think of Hawaii and you think of hibiscus, says Burgess.
“There is a huge selection of hibiscus hybrids that flower abundantly in our climate. There are also many Hawaiian hybrids that have flowers up to 15cm and more across, and colours that range from yellow to orange and pink to red, often with combinations of colours in each flower.
“Double-flowered varieties are also available. Many of these hybrids were bred in Queensland, the hibiscus breeding capital of the world, and so do exceptionally well in our parts too.”
Hibiscus, says Burgess, make excellent hedges, tub plants and specimens. They respond very well to feeding – each flower normally only lasts for one day – so lots of food means lots of flowers.
“Some modern hybrids may last for two to three days. There are very effective systemic insecticides available for borer which sometimes attacks hibiscus. Ask your nurseryman for advice.”
If you live in cooler areas such as Kloof and Hillcrest, or higher, you might like to try an autumn-flowering camellia (Camellia sasanqua), more sun-tolerant and smaller-leaved than other varieties.
“The camellia comes in many varieties, with both single and double flowers, in colours from white to pink to mauve, and blooms abundantly. I have seen lovely plants growing in Durban and Westville as well,” says Burgess.
When it comes to looking after your lawn,the most important time to feed it is now, he says.
“It may sound strange to hear this, but if you strengthen your lawn with the correct feeding now, it will go into winter stronger, and will be better able to make it through to spring.
“If it gets to spring in a weak state, then weeds are able to gain an advantage from which your lawn will take months to recover. The secret to a good lawn is a good autumn feed the year before.
“All grass species flower in late summer and your lawn is no exception, even if you mow the flowers off. This means your grass is looking for flowering food right now, which means a fertiliser with a high potassium content – for instance, a high last-number in the ratio, eg 5:1:5 or 3:1:6.
“Potassium is the element that puts the quality into the plant – better flower size and colour, better fruit, and also better and stronger stem growth in all plants, including grass – by strengthening the cell walls.
“A strong plant is a long-lasting plant, so feed your lawn now with a 5:1:5 or 3:1:6 fertiliser. These are also available as a slow-release fertiliser and can be applied at the weekend.
“Remember to mow your grass ‘long’, as it is the leaves that are the food factory.
“As the days get shorter and the amount of sunlight decreases, the grass needs more leaf area.
“The more leaves, the more food. The more food, the stronger the plants. The stronger the plant, the bigger the roots. The bigger the roots, the more resilient the plant – just what grass needs to get through the rigours of winter and to emerge strongly in spring.” - Independent on Saturday