Creative gardening with indigenous plants

Creative gardening with indigenous plants, now in its second edition, is an invaluable handbook for South African gardeners. In this comprehensive guide the authors set out to popularise the use of indigenous South African plants in gardens, parks, on roadsides and anywhere where previously exotic plants were preferred. This book covers more than 300 plants, all illustrated by stunning photographs in full colour showing the whole plant as well as selected features such as flowers, fruit, leaves and bark. The text comprises a description of each plant, its usages – including medicinal uses and snippets of folklore – and advice on cultivation. Introductory chapters cover topics such as propagating plants from seeds and cuttings, gardening in the different climate regions, and using indigenous plants to attract birds and insects to the garden. Taking a very practical approach, using symbols, distribution maps, plant size and flower colour, the authors lead the reader to the correct plant to choose for the application, whether this be tree, shrub, annual, perennial, climber or water-loving plant. This all-inclusive book is a must for gardeners, horticulturists, landscape designers and anyone involved in the South African nursery industry.

Pitta Joffe, a botanist by profession with a keen interest in horticulture, authored a number of popular books on indigenous plants, including the first edition of this book. Pitta’s plant photographs have appeared in numerous publications on the subject.Tinus Oberholzer holds a degree in horticulture and has had experience in propagation andproduction of nursery plants as well as plant marketing. He has contributed to the writing andediting of various gardening books, and also writes monthly articles for some South Africangardening magazines. Tinus is co-owner of Plantae Orchids, a nursery specialising in orchidsand rare and unusual plants, with a special interest in indigenous flora.