At the recent AGM, Fiona Watson, Botanical Officer of the Friends of Meadowridge Common Committee, gave a talk on the Meadowridge Common plants which have survived the drought that is gripping Cape Town. She presented a slideshow of her photographs of these plants, many of which are available from nurseries. Fiona recommended that gardeners in the area try to change from water-needy plants to these hardy indigenous plants that are suited to hot dry summers. A link to SANBI’s PlantZAfrica website with its wealth of information about our indigenous plants and how to grow them is provided where possible. Just click on the plant name for the link.
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| Carpobrotus edulis. |
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Ruschia geminiflora is Redlisted as Vulnerable.
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| Dimorphotheca pluvialis grows very well on the common in the spring, even though historically it didn't occur here until someone sprinkled some seeds. |
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| Salvia africana-lutea |
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| Salvia chamelaeagnea |
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| Oxalis obtusa |
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| Oxalis pes-caprae |
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| Oxalis purpurea |
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| Diastella proteoides is Redlisted as Critically Endangered |
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| Lecuadendron salginum |
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| Struthiola ciliata |
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| Struthiola dodecandra |
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Serruria glomerata is Redlisted as Vulnerable.
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| Pelargonium cucullatum |
Further information can be obtained from your
local nursery, and many of Cape Town's specialist indigenous nurseries like Good Hope Gardens Nursery, Dr Boomslang Indigenous Nursery and the Kirstenbosch Garden Centre tel: 021
797 1305). Possibly the best source of local Cape Flats
Sand Fynbos plants is from Caitlin von Witt who works with the City of Cape Town
amongst other organizations involved with the rehabilitation of Cape Peninsula
fynbos. Contact her to set up a visit to her nursery here. I highly recommend Caitlin’s Facebook page too. Specialists at Kirstenbosch are also willing to
give you information about growing indigenous plants. Click here for contacts.