Small gardens are it these days as many homeowners find themselves living in townhouse developments, cluster estates and the link. But there are plenty of savvy garden ideas for a small garden that will inspire you to create your own spot for weekend relaxation or time outdoors with family and friends. We offer some helpful tips and advice on what you can do to have the perfect garden for any occasion.
Create a flow from indoors
When you are working with a small garden, the trick is to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. One easy way to do this is with window boxes. Fill window boxes and hanging baskets with colourful annuals blooming with colour that can be filled year after year.
Make the most of the space
Even in a smaller garden it is wise to spend some time there to assess the area and determine which areas get the most sun or shade, where is the best position for a braai or outdoor kitchen and then around this, you can arrange either a seating or dining area.
It's all about organics
Whereas synthetic materials are hard and sharp, organics are soft and natural, and every garden should have some organic materials as part of the landscaping. Think wooden trellises, a wooden deck or pathway, or even a garden bench. And let's not forget about organic fabrics for furniture and decor accessories.
Glenice Ebedes from Grounded Landscaping says whilst many indigenous species are now being planted in gardens around Gauteng, not all of them are suitable for small gardens where walls, paving and house foundations need to be taken into account.
Even seemingly innocuous exotics such as palms and yuccas can become problems over time, either putting pressure on walls as their stems bulge, or dropping heavy fronds and seed pods which can break roof tiles.
Fortunately, there are some indigenous alternatives that are ideal for small gardens.
Here’s a list of the top 10 indigenous trees for small gardens on the Highveld:
1. Heteropyxis natalensis (Lavender tree)
With its pale bark, beautiful shape, and semi-deciduous foliage, the lavender tree, Heteropyxis natalensis is one the favourite small garden trees. It has an ornamental shape, and is an ideal replacement for exotic Silver Birches or ubiquitous Leopard Trees (Caesalpinnea ferrea).
Lavender trees are slower growing than other species on this list, but with patience they offer the homeowner an attractive specimen for their gardens. In the wild, they are frequently found on rocky hillsides, and in Gauteng some specimens exist in the Tweedespruit conservancy on the outskirts of Cullinan.
2. Kiggelaria africana (Wild peach)
This magnificent semi-deciduous tree can grow to over 12 metres in ideal conditions, but usually reaches between 8 metres to 10 metres. It has beautiful light grey-green foliage, and is ideal if you do not want your garden to appear too dark.
The Kiggelaria has male and female parts on separate trees, so if you want a tree that provides fruit for birds you must choose a female tree from your nursery. Female/fruiting trees attract a host of birds that feed on the orange-red seeds within the fruit casing, thus turning your garden into a natural wildlife haven.
Ebedes says some homeowners become despondent when the caterpillars attack their plants, and some even resort to using pesticides to keep them at bay. But do not despair if you see caterpillars on this particular plant - this is a natural life-cycle for the tree and it will soon recover with a fresh set of leaves. The Kiggelaria is relatively fast growing, provides excellent screening, and has a sturdy trunk.
3. Buddleja saligna (False olive)
The Buddleja saligna, false olive, has become one of the most popular indigenous trees in Gauteng, and with good reason. At 1 metre to 1.5 metres growth per year it is perhaps the fastest grower on this list.
The benefit to the homeowner is that this species can reach a height of 3 metres to 4 metres in just a few years, thus providing excellent screening in the shortest possible time. However, being fast does have its disadvantages. Sometimes the Buddleja can look 'scruffy' after a few years, and because the branches are not as strong as other species, they often tend to droop after heavy rains, especially if they are carrying masses of flowers.
Despite these potential drawbacks this is still a worthwhile species to choose. Homeowners should prune Buddlejas according to the shape they want them to grow - in other words, cut away lower branches to encourage a tree shape. You can even shape it into a hedge if you have the plants at a young age.
If you allow it to grow into its natural form however, you will be rewarded with masses of white flowers which attract a multitude of insects, and it's not uncommon to see this plant covered in beetles, ants, butterflies and bees during the flowering season, she says.
Finally, do not confuse this species with its cousin the Wild olive. The latter is a much larger species and generally unsuitable for small gardens.
4. Dais Cotinifolia (Pompon tree)
The Pompon tree is one of the most beautiful indigenous trees and has become a popular species in Johannesburg. It is an excellent substitute for the exotic Pride-of-India, and although it does not flower as long as that species, it's explosion of pink flowers in summer provides a stunning display for any garden.
The Pompon tree is a relatively fast grower, frost tolerant, and is evergreen. It is regularly used along pavements and sidewalks in Gauteng, and under ideal conditions can grow to a height of 10+ metres.
5. Apodytes dimidiata (White pear)
The White pear is an excellent choice for a small garden. It grows at a medium pace, and its dark evergreen foliage makes it an outstanding screening tree. Like the Buddleja it can even be used as an effective hedge if pruned for this purpose.
Apodytes will usually reach 6 metres to 8 metres, but may take about 8+ years to do so. It is an excellent replacement for the alien privet which unfortunately has proliferated throughout Gauteng.
Look for the small black seeds with orange-red casing if you're hiking in a kloof in Gauteng - a tell-tale sign that this species is growing close by.
6. Pittosporum viridiflorum (Cheesewood)
This indigenous Pittosporum has become a popular garden subject, and has a large distribution on the Highveld. It is a medium-paced grower, is evergreen and makes an excellent screening tree. It sports beautiful yellow, edible berries at the end of the flowering season (April/May) which are well loved by birds.
This species has a non-aggressive root system so it is safe to plant alongside paving or retaining walls. It also makes an excellent alternative to the exotic Pittosporum teniufolium that is frequently used as a screening plant, so consider this tree if you're in a complex or estate that requires the use of indigenous species.
7. Dombeya rotundifolia (Wild pear)
The Wild Pear, Dombeya rotundifolia, is an indigenous species that can grow to a height of 8+ metres. This is a fully deciduous species, losing all its leaves in winter, so if its an evergreen tree you're after then you'll need to look elsewhere.
Ebedes says despite this, it makes a stunning specimen for your garden in summer, exploding into masses of white flowers and making it one of the most attractive species on the list. If you find yourself hiking in one of the many nature reserves in Gauteng during the flowering season (July - October) keep a look out for this species as its flowers are striking and alert you to its presence. It has a non aggressive root system so is suitable to plant closer to walls and paving.
8. Indigofera jacunda (River indigo)
This small tree or shrub is an ideal species if you have a small garden space. It is semi-deciduous and sheds some of its leaves in winter, leaving behind small brown tube-shaped pods. It is easy to grow from seed and you will often find small seedlings growing beneath adult plants in your garden.
The flowers are a pink and white combination, which attract a host of insects - so much so that it is rated as one of the most prolific insect attracting species on the Highveld, she says.
It is also a fast grower, but this can sometimes be a drawback as the branches may be weak and break in a heavy thunderstorm. Despite these problems, if you decide to plant it in your garden you will soon find it becoming one of your favourite plants. Prune it appropriately in order to encourage a tree shape.
9. Heteromorpha arborescens var. abyssinica (Parsley tree)
The Parsley tree is a common species of the South African Highveld, and can regularly be found on walks and trails in Gauteng, particularly in wooded or rocky kloofs. It has dark brown bark that peels off of the trunk and branches, making it distinctive and relatively easy to identify in the field.
This tree grows to a height of 8 metres to10 metres and larger specimens will create a beautiful crown. This tree does have a tendency to spray its branches in all directions when young, but with patience it will turn into a magnificent specimen for your garden.
10. Bolusanthus speciosus (Tree wisteria)
The Tree wisteria, Bolusanthus speciosus, is a stunning small to medium sized tree that grows at a medium pace. It is an ideal replacement for the exotic Jacaranda, and although it does not grow as large as that species, homeowners should look at planting this species if they're aiming for the same bluish-mauve colour in spring.
It has a non-aggressive root system and is a welcome addition to any garden.
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