From a traffic circle to a 'wild' garden, we reflect on ways to find common ground between humans and nature in our gardens.
Indigenous landscaping & garden design
in Johannesburg & Pretoria, South Africa
in Johannesburg & Pretoria, South Africa
Southern Africa is home to a rich diversity of fauna and flora. Over 24000 plant species have been recorded in the subregion, and many of our plants are cultivated in gardens around the world, where they are much loved by their hosts and by those who visit the gardens.
Southern African homeowners are placing increasing value on indigenous species in their gardens, in particular for the wildlife these plants support. By planting locally indigenous species homeowners can encourage the local wildlife - specifically insects - to travel beyond the confines of nearby nature reserves and protected areas into surrounding gardens, where the plants they feed on can be found. This increases the biodiversity of an area and helps sustain our wonderful fauna and flora, along with creating a sensory appealing garden to enjoy.
Grounded Landscaping is a Gauteng-based company specialising in indigenous gardens. We create grassland, bushveld and forest themed gardens based on the requirements of the client and the specifics of the site, and use modern design concepts to integrate the garden into your home. We are based in the Cradle of Humankind - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the grassland biome of South Africa - and manage our own five hectares of indigenous grassland using veld management practices, as well as propagating some of the grassland species for our client's gardens.
Follow the links below to read more about our gardens and testimonials from past clients, or browse our DIY pages for inspiration and ideas for creating your own wildlife-friendly space. For more on Southern Africa's wonderful plant diversity visit our plantbook website: www.plantbook.co.za
From a traffic circle to a 'wild' garden, we reflect on ways to find common ground between humans and nature in our gardens.
Grassland gardens are beautiful spaces that support biodiversity. Below we discuss some guidelines for creating them, as well as a starter list of grass species
We recently hosted the Spider Club of Southern Africa. Below is a collection of species we discovered.
Pompom weed (Eupatorium macrocephalum = Campuloclinium macrocephalum) is an aggressive invader that can compromise the biodiversity of our grasslands. Below we discuss how you can remove it mechanically.
South Africa is home to a rich diversity of water wise plants. Below we list some common favourites to get you started on your journey to a water wise, indigenous garden
Some case studies and a selection of our installed gardens.
Visit our case studies page here
An indigenous grassland haven in Eagle Canyon Golf Estate
An outdoor entertainment space with a spectacular view
An indigenous, wildlife-haven in the heart of Bryanston
A garden makeover in the beautiful suburb of Poortview
A contemporary design in Lonehill
A new entertainment space in this Craighall Park garden
Saving water in Madikwe Game Reserve
An outdoor seating area and firepit for family entertainment
Tranquil indigenous retreat in Ferndale
Leila Akahloun, Atholl
Barbara Devine, Blairgowrie
Christelle Dunn, Highlands North
Carel Robinson, Randburg
Lindy-Ann & John Cunha
Derek Tedder, Sandown
Kamanie Moodley, Midrand
Keith Coyne, Property Consultant
Janice Walker, Fairland
The arid regions of Southern Africa - particularly the succulent karoo - are hotspots for plant diversity, and every year local and international tourists flock to the region to see succulents and wildflowers in bloom. Although the climate differs from the highveld, homeowners can recreate this habitat in their garden by choosing a hot sunny spot - preferably with well-drained soil - and incorporating species that are tolerant of our wet summers and cold, frosty winters. Visit our plantbook.co.za website for plant options, or contact us to set up a consultation.
As the name implies, a lawn-free garden refers to a space that doesn't have lawn, and therefore doesn't require mowing, requires less watering, and overall requires less maintenance. Lawn-free gardens can be based on a particular biome, or we can incorporate a range of different indigenous species. Access through a lawn-free garden is usually on pathways, stepping stones or decking, whilst low-growing groundcovers like Dymondia can be used for more open spaces, and can handle a small amount of foot traffic. In general lawn-free gardens increase biodiversity, and using up your lawn space allows you to experiment with new plant species, each one adding something special to your home.
As with bird gardens, creating a locally indigenous garden will naturally attract bees and butterflies to your home, but if you have a preference for these delightful creatures then there are a few enhancements you can make. For butterflies it's important to distinguish between two methods to attract them; the first by providing them with nectar-producing flowers, and the second by planting butterfly-specific host plants. Arguably the most well known of these is the Kiggelaria africana (Wild Peach), which is host to the Garden acraea butterfly. This butterfly - specifically its larvae - can become so prolific that it can strip the leaves of the tree bare, but the plant soon recovers, and in return you are rewarded with a garden filled with orange-coloured butterflies, as well as visiting cuckoos which feed on the larvae. Other well-known butterfly host plants include Vepris lanceolata (White Ironwood) which is host to the Citrus Swallowtail butterfly (if it isn't feeding on your lemon trees..), and Plectranthus species which are host plants for the Garden Inspector. As for bees, well it is worth mentioning that there are over 1200 species in the country! Apart from the African Honey Bee, digger and carpenter bees are just as wonderful to have in the garden, and by providing appropriate nectar plants, as well as 'bee-hotels', one can help attract and support these much needed pollinators.
As in nature, we believe indigenous gardens should rely mostly on rainfall, and we have installed many gardens that do not have irrigation but which remain healthy throughout the year, and whose owners manually water them with a hosepipe if necessary. But there are times when an irrigation system is convenient, such as a newly installed garden (temporary system), or when you have a medium-large garden and there are exceptionally hot/dry spells (often August-September in Gauteng), or for gardens with high water requirements such as food (vegetable/herb) gardens.
If you do want an irrigation system then we are professionally trained and use the latest water saving technologies. We also use high-density (HDPE) piping and fittings (unless otherwise requested), which ensures a long-lasting, robust solution. Here are some of the advantages of using us for your irrigation system:
At Grounded we strive to help people convert their gardens into wildlife havens. We'd love to see every garden as a wildlife-friendly space, where locally indigenous plants thrive and where fauna finds a home, including insects, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Some people have already converted their gardens into indigenous spaces, whilst others are starting their journey. We believe the garden should always be yours - the home owner's (as opposed to the garden designer or landscaper's) - but that it can be enhanced or created through a collaborative effort. So whether you are new to indigenous gardening or have spent years working on your space and now need assistance, here are some of the ways we can help:
We set up a time to meet with you and see your space. In our first meeting we walk with you through your garden, discuss your ideas, problem areas and requirements, and take measurements and photographs if a design or project is required. Contact us to arrange a meeting.
For clients where a design is required we'll quote you for one. A design is useful for new gardens as it allows you to get a better sense of what the garden will look like. Most designs take 1-2 weeks to complete, and along with the design we'll provide a costing for us to install the garden.
For clients where a design is not required, such as established gardens, we'll quote you for the work you would like us to do. This could include restructuring parts of the garden, clean-ups or general maintenance, or rehabilitation projects such as weeding or planting of indigenous species.
For clients who would like to implement changes themselves but would like assistance during the process we can offer consultations on site. This might include working with you on plant placement or general maintenance, drawing rough sketches, discussing plant and hardscaping choices, advising on further resources, and generally helping you on your indigenous journey.
With every project we try to create the best design we can, but most designs will benefit from some changes or refinements, so we'll work with you to ensure the design suits your home and requirements. We are also flexible in making changes during the project.
At the time of sourcing plants or materials we may find special deals, or select plants based on value for money. These cost savings will not compromise the project and we do not choose inferior materials, but it allows us to give you something back. Should the project costs potentially increase due to unexpected site conditions e.g. if we find an old foundation that needs to be jackhammered out, then we'll discuss these changes with you prior to going ahead with them. Otherwise with all projects we endeavour to remain at or below the quoted amount.
We love visiting our client's gardens to see how the garden is progressing, how the wildlife has responded, and what problems might need addressing. It's always a pleasure to walk in a wildlife-friendly space you helped create, and such follow-ups allow us to check-in with the garden and advise our clients as necessary.
Management of your garden - specifically the growth of your plants - is important for long-term success. As plants grow your garden will slowly change, morphing from a newly planted space into an establishing one. A forest-themed garden, for example, may start out as a sunny space - with sun-loving groundcovers - but will in time become shaded as the trees grow and their canopies develop. Once this happens, the sun-loving groundcovers can slowly be replaced with shade-loving species.
At Grounded we help our clients not only with the initial installation but on an ongoing basis, advising and assisting with various tasks to keep the garden on track. Sometimes these interventions may be as simple as moving a plant or replacing one that is not working. At other times it may involve weeding, pruning, or replacing once sunny beds with shade-loving species. Hardscaping elements can also be maintained through cleaning and resealing. Most clients find that they can maintain their gardens on a weekly or monthly basis, but require assistance when it comes to larger tasks and to keeping to the overall plan for the garden.
From time to time Grounded Landscaping provides training sessions for indigenous gardening and design, or guided walks through nurseries, botanical gardens or indigenous landscapes. Training sessions provide a broad view of how to create a wildlife-friendly garden, whilst a walk allows us to show you the plants and creatures in a nursery or in their natural habitat prior to you purchasing them. Contact us if you'd like to book a walk with us, or see our events page for details on upcoming training sessions and events.
At Grounded we strive to provide a professional, personalised service. We use quality products and have an experienced team. Our relationships with a number of suppliers allows us to save you costs and to deliver the high standard we want to be known for. We exercise transparency in our pricing so you’ll know exactly what has gone into your garden.
View our case studies, FAQ’s, plantbook website, and our DIY section to read more about us or landscaping with indigenous plants – and contact us to arrange a consultation.
Planting indigenous trees is a wonderful way to enhance the biodiversity of your garden. Here we cover some of the best options for small gardens
Hadedas stir up many emotions for Gauteng residents. Below we unpack a bit more about hadedas in the garden. Please feel free to add your own experiences with hadedas in our comments section below
South Africa is home to a rich diversity of water wise plants. Below we list some common favourites to get you started on your journey to a water wise, indigenous garden
Trees are wonderful additions to our homes, but good selection and placement is important to prevent damage to our properties
A list of frequently asked questions about our company, service, plants, and landscaping in general:
Grounded Landscaping has been featured in the following magazines and online media, as well as TV shows and international events. Glenice is the author of the Struik pocket guide Indigenous Garden Plants of Southern Africa.
