False Bay garden in August

  

by Diana Studer

- gardening for biodiversity

 in Cape Town, South Africa

 

My middle sister and I go to Kirstenbosch most weeks. That day we walked up to highest benches to look across to the snow on the inland mountains (between the trees) Another dusting coming on Sunday night.

 

Snow capped mountains from Kirstenbosch

August in our garden for Through the Garden Gate Down by the Sea in Dorset with Sarah was pruning. Brachylaena discolor sends out long strong branches each time we prune, soaring above next door. Pruned back hard and it is filling in again. So much in the sky, then packed in the car for municipal composting. Searsia gets chipped here and smells deliciously citrusy (related to sumac Rhus and cashew)

 

Pruning Brachylaena discolor

Searsia behind the lemon had a second slice off. Cut one, step back, and repeat ... there are still a couple of wafty bits there! I have the lemon branches better shaped after years of pruning. Steadily making light and space and the tree has bunches of fresh leaves and flower buds, perhaps we will get fruit again this year. Feed and water.

 

Encouraging the lemon tree

Tallest section of Strelitzia nicolai chopped back for the mountain view (and for the lemon tree)

 

Strelitzia nicolai one down

Last month I realised Dusty Miller Centaurea cineraria border looked due for fresh cuttings.

 

Dusty Miller fresh cuttings

Burgundy and chocolate Melianthus major. Russet and terracotta Nasturtium. Salmon discs on my mother's tuberous begonia. Fiery colours.

 

Fiery August garden flowers

Bietou Osteospermum moniliferum and climbing Senecio macroglossus. Bulbine. South Africa rose. Lime and lemon Albuca. All the yellows.

 

August garden flowers in yellow

Pink dangling bells Dombeya burgessiae. Pelargonium. Thuli Madonsela rose.

 

Pink garden flowers in August

Garlic buchu Agathosma apiculata. Groundcover to lemon Osteospermum fruticosum. Trachyandra (buds are like asparagus but would rather flowers to feed bees). Freesia leichtlinii alba. Albuca bracteata. Babiana. All in white.

 

Garden flowers in white for August

Potted violet and lavender. Fairy bells Melasphaerula graminea. Vlei lily Wurmbea stricta. Felicia. Blue Salvia. Turning to blue and purple.

 

Turning to blue and purple with August garden flowers

In winter rain spiders retreat indoors for shelter ahead of the weather. She slept like that hanging from one leg all day. That night wind gusts brought down telecom and radio mast on Elsie's Peak. We have a temporary tower and waiting for Fine Music Radio to return.

 

Rain spider

Need to check on my potted bulbs, which are hidden in lush winter exuberance.

 

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