A Swartland garden in June

by Diana Studer

- gardening for biodiversity

When we were looking for land and saw the reeds and the weavers busy with their nests - we knew we would build our house and make our garden here. This year a solitary pioneer has begun building his three nests within the walled garden on the ash tree. Now we can watch as the masked weaver ties the knots for the first loop, then stands within a 'hand' tied green garland. In days he has built a family home supported on that first loop.

Masked weaver in his 'hand' tied green garland

We wait patiently for the right buyer to come for Elephant's Eye. Chocolat demonstrates at Spirulino's that patience is an uncomfortable virtue as we are poised in limbo. When the Ungardener has fed the birds, and all is ominously quiet instead of our usual white noise of birdsong, he finds Chocolat and explains - 'IN! It's the birds turn to eat now' I've potted Watsonia, Veltheimia, Boophane and Brunsvigia bulbs. The rescued wild orchid. Fresh cuttings of Hibiscus tiliaceus, Japanese flowering quince and Pride of India with its beautiful flaking cinnamon bark - since the first lot didn't take.

Chocolat waiting. Lizard or bird, he doesn't mind. But we do!
Bulbs and cuttings lining up to move to False Bay

Beneath the bare ash trees the low winter sun shafts in and catches the fresh green fans of Chasmanthe leaves. In the planters on either side of the central path Lachenalia rubida is flowering for the winter solstice.

Under the ash trees with fans of  Chasmanthe leaves

One lady, who came to view the house with a friend, looked around and said there's hope for my (Porterville) garden yet! Strange - if her garden isn't happy in our kind wet weather? First impression here is the apricot Tecoma which waves between the balustrade of the verandah and Ungardening Pond. Sadly someone has hacked back the Tecoma in our new garden and there are NO flowers there. I'm getting a second set of flowers, since I dead-head most weeks, and prune with obsessive care. I HATE plants that look hacked off!  

Verandah in June looking across Ungardening Pond to Olifantskop
with apricot Tecoma and a leaf of Hibiscus tiliaceus

In June foreign, exotic, commonorgarden flowers are lavender (in sheaves for the vase as I keep paths open), the first Dianthus, with roses - Duftwolke, Tropical Sunset, Burning Sky, and Chaim Soutine.

Duftwolke, lavender
Tropical Sunset
Dianthus, Burning Sky and Chaim Soutine 

Winter is welcomed by aloes with their red spires blazing, and the Kniphofia which grows happily with wet feet in Plum Creek. Near Hibiscus tiliaceus another plant which expects to enjoy wet!

Aloes and
Kniphofia below right

Red hot poker at Plum Creek

Among my potted bulbs Lachenalia rubida with its large lush leaves and ruby red flowers is popping up where it was invited, and where it has self seeded with enthusiasm. Port St John's creeper needs an arch to climb over. Bright yellow Euryops echoes the sunshine, dark purple Dimorphotheca adds deeper grace notes to spark the green.

Lachenalia rubida, Port St John's creeper
Dimorphotheca, Euryops

Morning photos capture dew on furry leaves and salmon Pelargonium petals for Wildflower Wednesday with Gail at Clay and Limestone in Tennessee.

Salmon Pelargonium with morning dew

Pictures by Diana and Jurg Studer of  Elephant's Eye
(in Porterville, near Cape Town in South Africa)

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