Photography by Marie Viljoen.
For as long as humans have grown flowers for pleasure they have been drawn to the exotic and the unusual. South Africa has an intensely rich botanical heritage, and many of the ornamental plants that grace international gardens have South African roots.
For information on how to purchase proteas, see California Protea Society. Protea plants are becoming available stateside and can be grown where winters are moist and summers dry (hello, California!).
For a variety of Agapanthus rhizomes ($18 apiece), see Plant Delights.
Agapanthus
Grown in prolific sweeps in their South African homeland, clivias are better known as houseplants in many parts of the States. I know of two plants that are 16 years and older (mother and child) in a south-facing but shaded Brooklyn parlor window where they bloom up to three times a year.
Clivia
Plectranthus are a spectacular alternative to the usual suspects (mums mums mums) when you want flowers in autumn.
Plectranthus
Crocosmia
A variety of crocosmia corms (colors range from orange to yellow) is available ($3.95 for five bulbs) from Blooming Bulbs.
Nemesia
A 4-inch pot of Nemesia cheiranthus is $4.95 from Annie’s Annuals. Excellent in small pots on balconies and terraces, they need at least four hours of direct sun and can cope with more.
Bulbinella plants are like little first aid kits. It survives indoor life as long as it is kept in sunlight (for blooms) or very bright light, and enjoys excellent drainage.
Bulbinella
Pelargonium
A 3-inch pot of rose scented pelargonium is $4.65 from Colonial Creek Farm.
Rose scented pelargonium leaves laid at the bottom of cake pan scent the batter, and handful of crushed, velvety peppermint pelargonium (my favorite) tossed into a hot bath at the end of a long day is a restorative pick-me-up.