Sun-Loving Plants for Western Cape Gardens

Dianthus are admired for their spicy clove-scented flowers. They come in a multitude of colours and they can be used as border displays, in rockeries, containers and as cutting flowers. They will attract butterflies, bees and hummigbirds to the garden.  Dianthus Pink/White is a bushy, evergreen perennial with silver-blue foliage and large pink & white flowers.  

Coppertop Viburnum is a fast-growing hedging plant, ideal for low maintenance gardens.  Perfect for creating privacy screens or windbreaks, it thrives in Western Cape gardens, adapting easily to both clay and sandy soils.

Viburnum coppertop has lovely foliage with new growth in shades of dark maroon to copper. 

Plant in full sun to semi-shade and water well during establishment. Regular trimming will keep it lush and compact. This versatile shrub can be shaped into an evergreen hedge, trained as a small tree, or used in large containers.

Pittosporum Picturata is an evergreen shrub or small tree with beautiful yellow and green variegated leaves on dark stems, bears scented greenish-white flowers in summer.

This plant responds well to pruning and has a non-invasive root system, making it ideal for a small, town house garden.

Works well in a coastal garden and can be trimmed as a small hedge.

Dasylirion Longissimum is a slow-growing evergreen shrub that resembles a small palm. It features a large woody trunk with stiff, grass-like leaves growing in a symmetrical fountain shape, making it a striking specimen plant for any garden.

Echeveria agavoides is a stemless succulent which forms an attractive single rosette of triangular fleshy evergreen leaves in pale green with red margins.  Bears red lantern shaped flowers from spring to early summer.  Agavoides is ideal for sunny borders, rock gardens and containers.

The Champion Pelargonium range combines the best of ivy and zonal pelargoniums, resulting in a vigorous plant with great tolerance for heat & drought.  Pelargonium White  has a compact habit and a double flower in bright white.  Ideal for pots and beds.

Mangave 'Pineapple Express' is a bold, fast-growing succulent with narrow, spiky green leaves covered in deep burgundy spots. Its pineapple-like rosette adds a dramatic, tropical touch to gardens, containers, and xeriscapes. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it a standout choice for modern landscapes. Mangave is a hybrid of Agave and Manfreda, combining the beautiful form and structure of Agave without the harsh thorns, while also growing faster than Agave.

The Granvia Gold Strawflower is a showstopper with its brilliant golden-yellow, straw-like blooms that last all season long. Perfect for sunny gardens, borders, or containers, this low-maintenance, drought-tolerant beauty adds a burst of vibrant color and irresistible texture to any outdoor space. Its striking flowers also attract pollinators, making it a must-have for a lively, thriving garden.

The Cotyledon Orbiculata 'Staghorn' is a striking succulent with unique, deer-antler-shaped leaves in a soft bluish-grey to silvery hue. It produces vibrant orange or red tubular flowers in the warmer months, attracting pollinators. Hardy and low-maintenance, it thrives in well-drained soil with minimal watering, making it a perfect choice for both beginners and seasoned gardeners. Its sculptural form adds a distinctive touch to any plant collection.

Echeveria Asante Sana is an evergreen succulent that forms compact rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves, transitioning from blue-green to deep purple and red in cooler months. It thrives in full sun to semi-shade, reaching 20cm tall and 20cm wide. Waterwise and low-maintenance, this succulent is perfect for drought-tolerant gardens, rock features, or as an indoor plant on a windowsill.

A free flowering petunia with a mounding habit that is ideal for baskets and smaller pots.