Plants are very important in gardening and landscaping. When selecting plants for gardening make sure to include some plants with these characteristics in your framework

• Very hardy
• Almost maintenance free
• Architectural

These plants should be able to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Garden plants can be herbs, grass, succulents, shrubs or even trees

It is good for a gardener to know the name of his/ her garden plants but it is more important to know the growth form and requirements of plants.

Examples of common garden plants include:

• Agave species
• Aloe species-some indigenous and some exotic
• Kalonchoe species-mostly indigenous
• Bougainvillea species-exotic
• Kei apple (Dovyalis caffra)-exotic

Gardens in protected areas only grow indigenous species of plants.

While trees are generally useful in gardening, there are trees with bad habits such as:

Trees that prevent other things from growing under their canopy e.g. Jacaranda and Cupressus

Some drop large quantities of leaves all year round e.g. Grevillea, Acrocarpus and Croton megalocarpus

Some trees have extensive roots and may drain septic tanks and local drains e.g. Ficus species

Some trees dry the soil e.g. Eucalyptus species.

Garden plants should be pruned often to make them have an attractive shape. The best shape for shrubs is when the base is the broadest part (mushroom shape). When pruning a tree/shrub, it is best to start from the bottom therefore.