Landscaping
SALI Awards
Cara Smith pointed out that the garden was home to three ‘Jasmine’ species that
flowered consecutively in spring, and the white blossoms and fragrance are a ‘high
point’ in the garden. On the trellised wall is the climber Trachelospermum jasminoides
or Star Jasmine which is native to the woodland areas from Japan through to India.
Its flowers are jasmine-like and scented. The commonly used White or Pink Jasmine,
sometimes known as ‘English’ Jasmine, Jasminum polyanthum, is a twining climber from
China and Burma, highly fragrant when its masses of small flowers open in early spring;
while the Chilean Jasmine (Mandevilla laxa), a twining vine, frames the patio area
displaying its softly-scented, larger, white tubular flowers.
Smith also mentioned the use of the delicate tree with pinkish white (leguminous)
flowers used at House Nathan, the South African indigenous River Indigo, Indigofera
jucunda (previously misnamed I. frutescens) as being quite special in the Cape, where
she says it is not well-known. She advocates that it is a lovely small tree and a great
choice for smaller gardens. The Southern African indigenous Buddleja auriculata
(Weeping Sage) with its distinctive scent, often flowering for most part of the winter,
has also been utilised in this garden of pastel colours and fragrances.
Plants used by Smith that seem to have gone out of fashion are the Chilean Jasmine,
which she found difficult to source but recently came across, once again, at Little
Orchard Retail Nursery. She chose Anemone var japonica ‘Whirlwind’ which has
a double white flower; and the fragrant Sweet Violet (Viola violacea) which hails
from Europe and makes a good groundcover; along with the beautiful Heliotropium
arborescens ‘Royal Marine’ with its deep blue flowers that make an exceptional display.
She said Fairholme Wholesale Nursery stocked quite a number of ‘old English garden
plants’, as did Stellenberg which is a retail nursery. The bulk of the plants used at House Natha
She also commented that “...one side of the garden was grassy and textured, contrasting with t
hedges and the mix of Day Lilies and White Salvia on the other side. The flower colour was lar
dark blue Heliotrope and butter-coloured Day Lilies which add a splash of colour.
Judges’ comments
The local judges, landscape architect Clare Burgess and horticulturist Hilda Stanfliet, said
had definitely received the renovated garden she had envisioned. They commented on the
moving of a street light to give the client the mountain view she wanted. The garden clear
design elements, including specially designed pavers and excellent quality finishes. Mentio
plant material, complementary colours and wonderful fragrances of the plant choices. Th
photographs (provided by Cape Contours) had given them a clear idea of the changes that
National judge, nurseryman and representative of the green industry at government nego
Morne Faulhammer, awarded the Trophy for the most original use of plant material to Ho
dense planting of the narrow spaces alongside high walls with a combination of plants ver
planting in so many small gardens.
He was particularly captivated by the use of Mandevilla laxa (Chilean Jasmine), a plant he
frame of white flowers for the patio; and he commended the combination of grass textures
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