Changing focus

With loadshedding, corrupt and incapable people in undeserved positions of power and worst of all, the continuing howling southeaster, I thought it would be a much better idea to cast aside all care about the state of the world and concentrate on the good. This takes the form of the beautiful flowers currently making an appearance in the garden - always a sign that nature will carry on regardless of the stupidity of man and we should, too! It is after all meaningless in the greater scale of things.

The bromeliads continue to be the most rewarding plants, with so many varieties and so easy to accommodate in the garden. As shady spots become sunny due to trees dying or walls being moved, so these plants can simply be lifted from their place (the roots are practically non-existent as they are basically air plants) and put in a more suitable area of the garden - even the branches of a tree will do. All that they require is regular sprinkling with water to keep the central core of the leaves damp.

The leaves are also decorative and can be an asset to your garden even when not flowering. Some varieties can cope with sun, but in the main a shady environment will prevent leaf burn, as their natural habitat is forest.

The jewel-like dianthus provide months of colour and are among the easiest plants to grow. I suppose they are perennial, as they just keep on growing and benefit from a light pruning, although mine are only about 3 inches high after 2 years!

This little clivia is a drooping variety that flowers in December, much later than most of the miniata, although two of those are in bud right now.

The dipladenia is flourishing in its tub, well out of the wind and the flowers have reverted to a variegated hue - interesting!

The pale blue striped agapanthus is a miniature variety, only about 20 to 30 centimetres tall - a very elegant addition to the rockery.

So as you can see, there are plenty of interesting things to keep me occupied rather than the state of the world.