GEKCO Arbour Day: a Guide to the Trees & Plants for Sale in 2013

GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013

A guide to the

Trees & Plants for sale in 2013

Introduction: Arbor Day is a holiday where groups of people are encouraged to plant as many trees as possible.

Trees and plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen which gives us the air we breathe and their ability to photosynthesize (Sunlight- Energy) is the energy source of all life. Most animals cannot convert sunlight to energy and thus rely on eating plants and trees to access the energy they need to survive. Carnivores depend on getting their energy from herbivores andare therefore indirectly dependent on trees and plants (and so are we!). Trees also provide shelter for many species while all plants and trees provide shade to protect the soil from drying out in the heat of the sun. Trees and plants drink water from deep underground and release this water into the atmosphere through transpiration; this moisture then condenses to become rain. So in reality trees are the source of all life and thus planting as many as possible is an investment in our futures.

A number of indigenous trees & plants which are perfectly designed to thrive in Johannesburg have been selected. Biodiversity is very important to the success of an ecosystem so plant as many different species as possible, in order to attract the largest range of species to your garden.

Acacia galpinii
Family name: Fabaceae (pod-bearing plant family)
Common names: monkey-thorn (Eng.), Tshikwalo (Tshivenda), apiesdoring (Afr.), Molopa (North Sotho)
SA tree number: 166

This is a large tree with luxuriant, light green foliage, making it ideal for a big garden, avenue or park. It is also valued by farmers.
Description
Acacia galpiniiis a deciduous tree, losing its leaves during the southern African winter (April-July). It is fast-growing and can reach 25-30 m. Creamy to light yellow flowers appear during the growing season (September-October). Reddish to purplish brown pods ripen during February-March.Acacia galpiniiis often confused withAcacia polyacanthafrom which it can be distinguished by the gland on the leaf stalk: small inA. galpiniiand large inA. polyacantha.
Distribution
Monkey-thorn grows naturally in open, wooded grassland, open woodland and often near streams. It is indigenous to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, northern and eastern Botswana and South Africa. In South Africa,Acacia galpiniioccurs naturally in Limpopo [Northern Province] and the North-West. It is seen as an indicator of sweet veld, which retains its nutritional value in winter.
Name derivation:
The nameAcaciais derived from the Greek word 'akis', meaning a point or a spike, referring to the thorns in manyAcaciaspecies. The South African species are armed with spines. Most of introduced species from Australia are spineless. The species was named in honour of Ernest Galpin (1854-1941), a plant collector. Monkeys like taking cover in its wide branches and may also eat the pods and seeds, hence the common name.
There are about 1 340 species in this genus of which 954 are indigenous to Australia, 230 to the Americas, 129 to Africa and some species scattered in Asia. This very large, pan-tropical genus occurs mainly in dry country.
Ecology and uses
Many insects such as bees and wasps visit the flowers. Ripe fruit pods burst open, releasing the seeds. Seeds are also dispersed by animals eating the pods.
Acacia galpiniiis one of the trees that can survive hot and dry conditions. It makes a stunning tree along roads where there is enough space. It is an ideal tree for a big garden. In the wild the plant is grazed and used for shade during the hot summer by different animals including giraffe, kudu and elephant. Many birds often prefer nesting in this tree as it provides protection. It provides dappled shade on hot summer days, making it an ideal tree for planting on a lawn where some sun can penetrate.
GrowingAcacia galpinii
Monkey-thorn is easy to propagate from seed that is not parasitized. Like other plants belonging to the Fabaceae, seed of this tree must be soaked in hot water overnight and then sown the next day. Seed must be sown in a seedling tray filled with river sand. To avoid unnecessary moisture loss, the seed can be covered with vermiculite. Seedlings are fairly fast-growing but must be protected from frost probably for the first growing season. Although it is frost-tolerant, severe frost often kills off tender young branches. The tree prefers full sun. Do not plant it too close to buildings as it has extensive roots.
Aloe arborescens
Family:Asphodelaceae (asphodel family)
Common names:krantz aloe (English), kransaalwyn (Afrikaans), ikalene (Xhosa), inkalane or umhlabana (Zulu)

The krantz aloe is a valuable garden asset, it has large beautiful flowers, attractive foliage, decorative form, and it is easy to grow. It is also a 'must-have' for anyone wanting to stock their herb gardens with indigenous healing plants.
Description
The krantz aloe develops into a multiheaded shrub 2 -3m high with striking grey green leaves arranged in attractive rosettes. The leaf margins are armed with conspicuous pale teeth.
The large colourful flower spikes are borne in profusion during the cold winter months (May-July), brightening up a drab winter garden. Deep orange is the most common colour, but there are also pure yellow forms, and an unusual bi-coloured form of deep orange (almost red) and yellow. The inflorescence is usually unbranched, with two to several arising from a single rosette. As with all the aloes, the flowers produce nectar and are attractive to many kinds of birds, in particular the small and colourful sunbirds, which flit from flower to flower in search of nectar. The flowers also attract bees.
The species formerly known asAloe mutabilisis now regarded as a synonym ofAloe arborescens. It is a cliff dwelling form with smaller, less branched rosettes and red & yellow bi-coloured flower spikes and is more evident on the high inland plateau of the northern provinces of South Africa. This cliff dwelling form ofAloe arborescenscan be seen hanging from the cliffs alongside the waterfall at the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden.
Although it is in fact a large much-branched shrub,Aloe arborescenshas been allocated a national tree number (28.1).
Distribution
This species is distributed mainly over the eastern, summer rainfall areas of the country. It has the third widest distribution of any aloe, occurring from the Cape Peninsula along the eastern coast, through KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo province and further north into Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. It is one of the few aloes that can be found growing at sea level right up to the tops of mountains. The krantz aloe is adapted to many habitats, but is usually found in mountainous areas where it favours exposed ridges and rocky outcrops. It is also found in dense bush.
Derivation of the name & historical aspects
The name aloe is from the Greekalsosand refers to the bitter juice from the leaves of these plants. It is probably derived from the earlier Arabic wordalloehor the Hebrew wordallal, both meaning bitter. The Latin wordarborescensmeans tree-forming or tree-like, and is a bit misleading in that this aloe is not really tree-like, but the name was originally applied to this species in reference to the stem-forming habit. The common name krantz aloe refers to its habitat, a krantz being a rocky ridge or cliff.
Aloe arborescensis one of approximately 130Aloespecies native to southern Africa. It is possibly the most widely cultivated aloe in the world and can be seen grown in gardens in many cities around the world. It was one of the first South African aloes collected and planted in the Company's Garden in Cape Town. It was grown in Amsterdam by Professor Commelin in 1674, and featured inHort. Amst. 2in 1701.
Uses and cultural aspects
In many parts of South AfricaAloe arborescensis planted around kraals (domestic stock enclosures) as a living fence. It often happens that the position of old kraals can still be seen many years after they have been abandoned because the aloes persist. Cuttings intended for use as barrier plants are sold in muthi shops.
The Zulu people use the leaves of this plant, dried and pounded into a powder, as a protection against storms. Decoctions of the leaves are also used in childbirth and in treating sick calves. In the Transkei it is used for stomach ache and given to chickens to prevent them from getting sick. In the Orient, this aloe is grown in domestic gardens as a convenient first-aid treatment for burn wounds and abrasions. In fact it was only after it was used to treat irradiation burn victims of Hiroshima that its healing properties received attention from the West. Extracts from the leaves have been widely investigated since then and shown significant wound healing, anti-bacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, hypoglycaemic and also alopoeic activity. The leaves have also been found to have purgative properties and the leaf sap is reported to relieve x-ray burns.

GrowingAloe arborescens
The krantz aloe is an easy and rewarding plant to grow, and is a popular garden plant in many countries. It enjoys full sun, well-drained, compost-enriched soil and can tolerate moderate frost but is sensitive to severe frost. It is fast-growing, and it will tolerate drought and neglect once established. It is grown mainly as an ornamental or as an accent plant, but is also an excellent and impenetrable hedge plant.
The krantz aloe is easily propagated from a branch or stem cut off, allowed to dry for a day or so until the wound has sealed, and then planted in well-drained soil or sand. They need not be rooted in any particular place and then transplanted, but can be placed directly into their permanent place in the garden. It is important to remember not to water the cuttings too heavily; overwatering may cause them to rot. This aloe can also be grown from seed, sown in spring. Seed should take three to four weeks to germinate, and the seedlings must be protected from frost.
Aloe arborescenshybridises readily with other aloes.

Anisondontea capensis

Common names: George Mallow, Hairy Mallow. Georgemalva, harige malva, wildestokroos.

Distribution:Anisodontea capensisis part of the fynbos flora of the Cape Province of South Africa.

Habitat:Anisodontea capensisis found on the arid upper slopes of hills.

Identification:Among mallows commonly grownAnisodontea capensisis only likely to be confused with its near relativeA. scabrosaand their hybridA. ×hypomadarum.A. capensisandA. ×hypomadarumare confused in horticulture, both plants being met with under either name. I understand thatA. ×hypomadarumhas markedly larger flowers.

Technical Description

Erect, branched, perennial subshrub, to 100-180cm, hispid on most parts. Stems branched, green, or purplish-reddish-brown, aging to a greyish-brown, hispid with simple hairs, to about 0.75 mm; foliage alternate, stipulate and petiolate; stipules small, 1-2 mm in length, divergent-ascending, triangular-ovate, apparently glabrous; petioles up to 2.5 cm long, green, and hispid; laminae simple, truncate, ovate, strongly and ternately 3-lobed, 3- nerved, lobes triangular to elliptical (elliptical on larger leaves), irregularly dentate, hispid on veins of upper and lower surfaces, ciliate at base, to 6½ cm long by 6½ cm wide, much smaller on side shoots; juvenile foliage with laminae orbicular, cordate, 5-nerved and -angled; inflorescence indeterminate, a raceme; flowers hermaphrodite, protandrous, involucellate, borne horizontally or slightly nodding, singly, in the axils of upper leaves and of leaves of side shoots; pedicels hispid, to 4 cm, articulated approximately 1 cm below distal end; bracteoles 3, asymmetrically disposed, free, lanceolate, tomentose, 6 mm long, apex obtuse, ciliate, about 1mm below the calyx; calyx valvate in aestivation, sepals 5, flat at anthesis, enclosing the schizocarp in fruit, connate for about one third their length, triangular-ovate, acuminate, densely hispid, ciliate; corolla convolute in aestivation, petals 5, spirally arranged, spatulate, asymmetric, non-overlapping, hypogynous, adnate at the base to the staminal column, apex rounded, 15 mm long, pale pink with darker, branching, veining on upper side towards the base, claw white; staminal column white, about 10 mm long, antheriferous in the upper third; filaments pink, anthers black,reniform, unilocular; ovary white; style branches circa 11, red, filiform,as many as the locules, stigmas purple-red, capitellate; fruit schizocarpous, verticillate; mericarps not seen; seed not seen.

Description

An erect perennial sub-shrub, growing to 3-6 ft in height. The vegetative parts have a sparse covering of simple hairs.
The stems are upright and branched. They are green or a purplish-reddish-brown, aging to a greyish-brown. They have a sparse covering of simple hairs.
The leaves are borne alternately (one per node), subtended by two stipules. They are simple, ovate, palmately veined, deeply 3-lobed, and toothed, with a truncate base, and are borne on petioles up to 1" in length. They are up to 2½" in length and breadth, but can be much smaller. They bear simple hairs along the veins, on both faces, and ciliate hairs along the margin towards the base.
The petioles have a covering of hairs similar to that of the stems, but more prominent.
/
The stipules are ascending, triangular-ovate, small (1 to 2 mm in length). /
The flowers are smallish, about 1" in diameter, and are borne in clusters in the leaf axil, throughout summer.
They consist of an epicalyx of 3 segments, a calyx of 5 sepals, a corolla of 5 petals, an androecium and a gynoecium. /
The pedicel is about 4cm long, and is articulated about 1cm below the flower, green, with a sparse covering of simple hairs.
The bracteoles (epicalyx segments) are lanceolate with a fringe of hairs. They are about ¼" long, unfused, and attached to the pedicel about 1mm below the sepals. /
The sepals are ovate. They are fused for about one third of their length. They are ciliate and densely hispid.
The petals are pale pink fading to white on the claw, with darker veining on the upper side towards the base. The intensity of the veining varies seasonally, been less intense in the spring.They are about 15-20mm long, with have rounded apices, and a narrow claw, which is fused to the staminal column, at the base. / /
The staminal column is about 10 mm long, and is white it colour. The free filaments are pink, and the anthers black.
The style arms number about 11. They are pink, darkening towards their ends. The stigmas are small red globes. / /
The fruit is a schizocarp. Given that the style has circa 11 branches it is expected that the fruit has the same number of mericarps.

Cultivation:Anisodontea capensismay be propagated by seed or cuttings. Seed can be sown on the surface of a seed compost, or lightly covered with vermiculite. (I found germination to be fair, taking a few weeks; however this was from seed collected from a late flush of flowers which might not have fully matured.) I have succesfully taken tip cuttings in late summer.

Anisodontea capensiscan be grown as a border, patio or greenhouse shrub. In the first case I have found it to be winter-hardy, with some loss of top-growth, but would not be confident that it would survive a severe winter. Grown indoors it continues in growth at 50-55°F in a British winter, unlike many hardier malvaceous plants which cease growth under those conditions.

Buddleja auriculata
Family:Loganiaceae
Common names:Weeping sage, treursalie (Afr.), Utile (Xhosa)

A lovely strong fragrance filling the air tells you thatBuddleja auriculata, the evergreen weeping sage has anticipated spring long before you have- it comes as a real surprise in the middle of winter!
Description
This shrub or small tree has beautiful glossy foliage: its leaves are deep-green above and silver below. Profuse spikes of tiny, tubular, sweetly-scented cream, orange or lilac flowers appear in July (mid-winter) to September (spring) on the ends of the 'weeping' branches. The fruit is a tiny, creamy brown capsule that splits at the tip (June to September).
Natural distribution
This shrub occurs naturally on mountain slopes, in rocky ravines, and on forest margins, from Eastern Cape to Zimbabwe.
Name derivation
The genus is named after the Rev. Adam Buddle (1660-1715), an English botanist, andauriculatameans having an ear-like appendage and refers to the stipule between the leaves which resembles a small ear. There are seven species ofBuddlejain South Africa. They are mostly shrubby and can sometimes become small trees. Among those making good garden plants areBuddleja salignaandBuddleja salvifolia.
Ecology
The flowers attract many butterflies and other insects, which in turn become food for insectivorous birds like the southern boubou and Cape robin.
GrowingBuddleja auriculata
This plant is easily propagated from hardwood cuttings. Shapely and graceful (4 × 4 m)Buddleja auriculatalooks particularly attractive planted near water, perhaps next to a large dam or pond. The thick foliage could provide safe shelter for birds. Use it in a large mixed shrub border, or to form a screen, or as an informal hedge. It is suitable for medium to large gardens, any place that can accommodate its spread. This plant performs well in the Pretoria area, forming a neatish, dense, weeping shrub, but it does not fare as well in the Lowveld. It grows well in the Western Cape too, often flowering earlier and growing more upright.