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The only 100% indigenous web magazine for
South African gardeners
inspiring Your indigenous garden
Shrub Combinations
![]() Shrubs for light to partial shadeOcimum labiatum (Orthosiphon labiatus) and Tinnea barbata - water-wise, and both will take sun. | ![]() Shrubs for light shadePavetta lanceolata and Ocimum labiatum (Orthosiphon labiatus) | ![]() Hot orange shrubs for dappled shadeStrelitzia reginae and Aloe arborescens both thrive in partial to dappled shade. | ![]() Sun shrub comboBuddleja glomerata and purple flowers of the tall, slender Polygala virgata. | ![]() Shrubs for bright sunHypericum revolutum and Tephrosia species are a most attractive hot sun, water-wise pairing. |
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![]() Shade shrubsPink flowers of Plectranthus ecklonii and the large trumpet flowers of Crinum mooreii show up well against the dark green leaves of Mackaya bella. | ![]() Shrubs for a sunny screenDuvernoia aconitiflora, Plumbago auriculata and Tecomaria capensis with peach flowers. | ![]() Shrubs for a sunny edgeLeonotis leonurus, Helichrysum populifolium and Aloe ferox combine to provide an intriguing shrubby screen. | ![]() Shrubs for a hot sun slopeGlistening white flowers of the scented Wild Rosemary, Eriocephalus africanus, grey felt leaves of Helichrysum petiolare, and large round green discs of Cotyledon. | ![]() ScreeningDense silver mound of Helichrysum enhance the dark leaves and brick-red flowers of Bauhinia galpinii. |
![]() Butterfly ShrubberyBuddleja, Plectranthus ecklonii, and Syncolostemon densiflorus. | ![]() Shrub companionsPink columns of Syncolostemon densiflorus, purple Plectranthus ecklonii, dove-grey Salvia species, and dark green lance-shaped leaves of Leonotis; imagine this combination when the orange Leonotis flowers open. | ![]() A Neat Shrubbery to edge a pathRounded forms of Plectranthus eckonii at back, and the bright green and yellow Gnidia triplinervis. Soft grey Salvia leaves calm this strong colour mix. | ![]() Slender shrubs for hot sunSyncolostemon densiflorus, Bauhinia tomentosa and Euryops pectinatus. Providing a light screen. | ![]() Shrubs for semi- to light shadePlectranthus ecklonii with Euryops pectinatis on the sunny edge |
![]() Shrubs for a sun-shade edgePink/ purple plumes of Ocimum labiatum (Orthosiphon labiatus) look beautiful against the large grey leaves of Helichrysum populifolium. | ![]() Sun/ shade shrub mixDombeya with Plectranthus at its feet. | ![]() Shrub combo for shade to light shadeCombine Plectranthus species and the Pistol Bush, Duvernoia adhatodoides for a gorgeous grouping of texture and form for a shady area. | ![]() Shrubbery and Privacy screenThe brick-red flowers of Bauhinia galpinii, a large, spreading shrub, look spectacular planted alongside the grey-green leaves of Aloe arborescens. Plant where there is space. | ![]() Neat Shrubs for Dappled ShadeWater-wise Metarungia longistrobus and Polygala myrtifolia. |
![]() Shrub combo for semi-shadePolygala myrtifolia, Metarungia longistrobus and Small Honeysuckle Tree, Turraea obtusifolia. Tulbaghia violacea in the foreground. | ![]() Screening between small Estate propeMix trees and shrubs for a year-round, canopy to ground-level screen. Ocimum labiatum, and thorn trees | ![]() IMG_4100 | ![]() Boundary screensScreen your neighbours in small estates; Ocimum labiatus, Freylinia and thorn trees. | ![]() IMG_3253 |
![]() Using a variety of shrub sizesAdd interest with a variety of shrub sizes. The light canopies of Olea europea (back right) and Rhamnus prinoides (back left) provide a soft backdrop for the grey Buddleja loricata and the spidery form and golden flowers of Aloe arborescens. Aloe arborescens, Buddleja loricata in the foreground, with Rhamnus prinoides behind. | ![]() Shrub combo for hot, dry areasYellow and orange Aloe arborescens at back, with Cotyledon orbiculata front right, and Euryops pectinatus in front. | ![]() A textured ShrubberyA dark shrub backdrop enhance the silver mound of Helichrysum, orange flowers and the large, tropical leaves of Strelitzia reginae. Mixed heights and depth of planting provide a dense screen to provide privacy and to soften traffic noise. Here, Strelitzia and Barleria albostellata add leaf colour and texture to the screen. | ![]() Aloes and Leonotis shrubsMix plant growth types. . The aloes and evergreen shrubs provide year-round screening when the seasonal Wild Dagga plants are pruned back after flowering. | ![]() Shrubby screens - seasonal interestChoose species with different flowering seasons to ensure there is always something in flower. Plectranthus ecklonii, Hypoestes aristata, Plumbago auriculata, and Euphorbia tirucalli. |
![]() Spectacular Winter AloesDeep orange-red Aloe arborescens squeezed between dark green foliage and the pinky-russet Euphorbia tirucalli. | ![]() A light shade shrubberyCreate a soft, attractive shrubbery with Metarungia longistrobus, Tinnea barbata and Plectranthus species. | ![]() Bright sun shrubberyDyschoriste thunbergiiflora provide a gorgeous mauve backdrop to the orange flowers of Aloe arborescens and Leonotis leonurus | ![]() Seasonal screens; Sun/ shadeA spectacular autumn grouping of Leonotis leonurus, Aloe arborescens, and purple flowering Dyschoriste thunbergiflora (native to tropical Africa, occurring in Kenya and eastern Uganda). | ![]() Barleria and HypoestesA delicious intermingling of autumn-flowering shrubs. |
![]() Layered ScreenGrey Helichrysum, bright green Coddia rudis right front, with a backdrop of dark-leaved shrubs. | ![]() Cool, layered ShrubberyMix leaf colour for foliage screens. Silver Helichrysum lifts an otherwise dark arrangement of foliage; Tinnea barbata to the right, and a well-managed Cape Honeysuckle to the left. | ![]() Winter Flowering ShrubsAloe arborescens and Dyschoriste thunbergiflora. | ![]() Seasonal ShrubsPycnostachys urticifolia and Syncolostemon species. | ![]() Aloes and Leonotis leonurus (Wild DaPlant these to provide generous quantites of pollen and nectar through autumn and winter. |
![]() Shrubs - Spiky foliageCycad species with Coddia rudis in the foreground. |
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