Short description
Indigenous beginnings takes a fresh look at indigenous gardening, whether you gradually replace exotics with local species, or start afresh, focusing on indigenous plants altogether.
Long description
Indigenous beginnings takes a fresh look at indigenous gardening, whether you gradually replace exotics with local species, or start afresh, focusing on indigenous plants altogether. This title is the result of the author's realisation that indigenous plants are a lot less work than exotics, generally use less water, need hardly any chemical fertilisers, require no pesticides and cost a lot less since you don't have to replant your garden frequently. It will convince you that indigenous plants are everything but boring, colourless, slow-growing and untidy. Specially selected for being easy and fast-growing, every plant in this title flowers, sometimes modestly, more often flamboyantly like the Gloriosa superba gracing the cover of this title. In addition to a spectacular close-up photograph of each plant, often more than one to show both fruit and flowers, you will find general information on soil preparation, feeding, planting, propagation and maintenance, followed by a detailed description of almost 100 species across the range of trees, shrubs, climbers, groundcovers, bulbs, annuals and perennials. Rather than categorising the plants according to growing regions or biomes, the author focuses on their requirements, from water needs to hardiness, taking a most useful and practical approach to indigenous gardening. The writing is relaxed and informal but informative, the photographs stunning and inspiring. If you have never tried your hand at indigenous gardening, this title is sure to convince you that it is a most worthwhile endeavour.