Plants of the Week

Browse through all previous entries of Plants Of The Week

  • Sort by date added
  • Sort Alphabetically
Go to Plants of the Week Advanced Search
E.g., 04/10/2024
E.g., 04/10/2024

Carpobrotus quadrifidus

Bright flowers
Common names: West Coast sour fig, eland sour fig (Eng.); Weskus suurvy, elandsvy (Afr.)
Family: Aizoaceae

Carpobrotus quadrifidus, formerly named C. sauerae, stands out in the varied conglomeration of mesembs as the one species with the largest flowers....

17 / 02 / 2014 | Werner Voigt | Karoo Desert NBG
Read More

Pteronia uncinata

Growing in Kirstenboschj
Common names: coast gumbush (Eng.); strandgombos (Afr.)
Family: Asteraceae

This honey scented shrublet is a must-have for any coastal garden in the winter rainfall region of South Africa....

17 / 02 / 2014 | Zoleka Maphanga | Millennium Seed Bank Partnership
Read More

Aloidendron pillansii

Stems leaves and old inflorescences
Common names: giant quiver tree, bastard quiver tree (Eng.); reuse kokerboom, baster-kokerboom (Afr.)
Family: Asphodelaceae

Aloidendron pillansii is arguably the scarcest of all tree aloes in southern Africa.  It was previously called Aloe pillansii, however a new genus...

24 / 02 / 2014 | Werner Voigt | Millennium Seed Bank Partnership
Read More

Leucadendron thymifolium

Female flower
Common names: Malmesbury conebush, thymeleaf protea; katsterttolbos, swartveldknoppiesbos (Afr.)
Family: Proteaceae

Leucadendron thymifolium is a Critically Endangered plant and experts predict this species could be extinct by 2025....

24 / 02 / 2014 | Louise Nurrish | Kirstenbosch NBG
Read More

Crassula spathulata

Crassula spathulata
Common names: spatula-leaf crassula (Eng.); uguwe (isiXhosa)
Family: Crassulaceae

...

03 / 03 / 2014 | Kuphumla Zenze | Kirstenbosch NBG
Read More

Othonna retrofracta

Seedheads
Common names: none known
Family: Asteraceae

Othonna retrofracta, with its bonsai-like appearance, is suitable for water-wise gardens in arid areas....

03 / 03 / 2014 | Shireen Harris | Karoo Desert NBG
Read More

Anthocleista grandiflora

Flowers
Common names: forest fever tree, big-leaf fever tree, big leaf, forest big-leaf, cabbage tree, tobacco tree (Eng.); grootblaarboom, koorsboom, wildetabakboom (Afr.)
Family: Gentianaceae

Anthocleista grandiflora is a striking tree with a tall straight trunk topped with a crown of huge leaves. It needs a warm, sunny garden with plenty of...

10 / 03 / 2014 | Alice Notten | Kirstenbosch NBG
Read More

Hyobanche fulleri

Flowers
Common names: Cat nails
Family: Orobanchaceae

Hybanche fulleri is a striking parasitic plant with pale to bright pink flowers found only in dune scrub....

10 / 03 / 2014 | Hlengiwe Mtshali | CREW
Read More

Geranium drakensbergensis

Geranium drakensbergensis
Common names: Drakensberg cranesbill
Family: Geraniaceae

An attractive, floriferous and vigorous herbaceous perennial that makes a wonderful addition to a summer perennial border....

17 / 03 / 2014 | Monique Mcquillan | Kirstenbosch NBG
Read More

Metarungia galpinii

Flower spike and leaves © Tony Dold
Common names: southern orange-lips
Family: Acanthaceae

Metarungia galpinii is a very rare and attractive garden plant that occurs mainly in the East London area in the Eastern Cape....

17 / 03 / 2014 | Vathiswa Zikishe | CREW
Read More

Streptocarpus montigena

Flowers
Common names: Cape primrose, wild gloxinia
Family: Gesneriaceae

An unusual small pot plant for indoors, with rough, hairy slightly sticky leaves. This is quite a difficult species to grow — providing the discerning...

24 / 03 / 2014 | Cherise Viljoen | Kirstenbosch NBG
Read More

Barleria randii

Flowers and leaves B.randii
Common names: Matopos apricot barleria
Family: Acanthaceae

This barleria with its orange/yellow flowers and white leaf margins will be an attractive addition to a rock garden....

31 / 03 / 2014 | Willem Froneman | Lowveld NBG
Read More

Dyschoriste setigera

In flower
Common names: Fairy Stars
Family: Acanthaceae

This is a delightful low-growing groundcover up to 150-300mm high that requires little or no maintenance and is particularly suitable for water-wise gardens...

31 / 03 / 2014 | Zoleka Maphanga | Kirstenbosch NBG
Read More

Chaetacanthus setiger

Theis plant is now  known as Dyschoriste setigera...

31 / 03 / 2014 | | Kirstenbosch NBG
Read More

Barleria dolomiticola

Barleria dolomiticola flower and buds
Common names: Wolkberg bush violet
Family: Acanthaceae

Plant a Red Listed barleria in your garden and support the conservation of the species....

07 / 04 / 2014 | Willem Froneman | Lowveld NBG
Read More

Plectranthus swynnertonii

Plant in flower
Common names: Swynnerton's spur flower, cress spur flower; Debengeni spoorsalie (Afr.)
Family: Lamiaceae

Plectranthus swynnertonii is an attractive, fast growing late summer to winter flowering herbaceous perennial that will thrive in a moist frost-free...

07 / 04 / 2014 | Monique Mcquillan | Kirstenbosch NBG
Read More

Erica croceovirens

Erica croceovirens
Common names: Doringrivier heath, saffron-&-green heath (Eng.) doringrivierheide (Afr.)
Family: Ericaceae

Erica croceovirens is a newly described species which is closely related to other tubular southern Cape species such as E. versicolor, E....

14 / 04 / 2014 | Anthony Hitchcock | Kirstenbosch NBG
Read More

Orthochilus ensatus

Orthochilus ensatus
Common names: imphamba lentaba (isiZulu
Family: Orchidaceae

This is an attractive orchid that can be grown as a container subject and was previously known as Eulophia ensata....

14 / 04 / 2014 | T Lukoto | Free State NBG
Read More

Eulophia ensata

This plant is now listed as Orthochilus ensatus....

14 / 04 / 2014 | | Free State NBG
Read More

Plectranthus strigosus

Great in a hanging basket
Common names: dwarf spurflower; dwerg spoorsalie (Afr.)
Family: Lamiaceae

A dainty and delicate ground cover for shade gardens or hanging baskets....

21 / 04 / 2014 | Adam Harrower | Kirstenbosch NBG
Read More