Text: Lynne Yates and Loren Shirley-Carr. Photographs: Loren Shirley-Carr. Containers planted: Ina Pauw. Article from the November 2013 issue of Garden and Home Magazine.
Want to live in harmony with nature and conserve natural resources? Start small with these mixed pots filled with beautiful and beneficial plants
Circle of Friends
Reduce your use of pesticides by practising companion planting. By including a few insect-repelling plants in a mixed pot, you can ensure a pest-free container garden that all but takes care of itself. The ball-like blooms of aptly named Coreopsis ‘Solanna Golden Ball’ (1) are the stars of this ensemble and they flower all summer in a long-lasting display. They’re echoed in the foreground by equally constant golden marigolds (2), that repel harmful insects, particularly nematodes. Lifting the sunset colours are white violas (3), and adding further pest resistance, is thyme (4), a deterrent to flies and aphids.
The Bee’s Knees
Bees are in crisis around the world. You can help bolster their dwindling numbers by making them welcome in your garden. Fill a pot with plants that will attract and delight these important pollinators, as well as other beneficial insects like butterflies. Lavender is popular with bees and butterflies, so we chose two types for this container: Lavandula dentata ‘Royal Crown’ (1) and Lavandula stoechas (2) with pink gaura (3), a favourite of butterflies. We also included a variety of plants with large, fragrant blooms that are irresistible to both these insects; from the left, pink trailing Corriente pelargonium (4), Calendula officinalis ‘Calypso Orange’ (5), white alyssum (Lobularia Stream series) (6), mixed Matrix pansies (7) and white ivy geranium (8).
Laid-back Locals
While container plants may need more water to keep from drying out than garden plants, you can limit the amount of water by choosing the right ones. Many indigenous plants are drought resistant as they’re adapted to local conditions which means they’ll survive longer without water and still look gorgeous. The highlights of this lively container are the long-lasting, daisy-like blooms of pink Osteospermum ecklonis Osticade Series (1) and white Osteospermum ecklonis Ostica Series (2) as well as the more delicate Felicia amelloides Variegata’ (3), whose white and green foliage gives the planting a lift. White (4) and pink diascia Genta Series (5) create a soft surround.
Source Containers and plants courtesy of Garden World 011 957 2046.
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