Plant Type Glossary

Bamboos and Restios

Restios are a family of perennial, evergreen, grass-like plants. They will provide a rich green texture to your garden. Either planted on mass, as specimens, or blended in with small shrubs and perennials, they are completely fabulous. Easily grown, the different species range in size, and generally have a tufted growth form. They have very small flowers, male and female on different plants. The fruit is a nut or capsule. They are endemic to the Southern Hemisphere, but the greatest variety come from South Africa. Individually they come from a wide range of habitats, but never aquatic. Once established they will tolerate dry sites well. They will do best in full sun with plenty of air movement. Restios will grow in almost any kind of well drained soil, but never plant in boggy conditions.

Bamboos are woody stemmed, perennial evergreen grasses. To provide form and vertical habit, the bamboo canes or culms and their delicately handsome foliage will take pride of place. They can provide excellent screening in the garden. They are easy to grow and not fussy about the soil. Water well to establish. They develop a very rugged root system which will spread with time. They reach their final height within the first year of growth. Choose your bamboo carefully to avoid planting an invasive type. Some can be difficult to eradicate. Occasionally thinning out the older culms will allow light in to enhance the plants gracefulness. They only flower after many decades.

The eventual size of a plant is partly dependant on the conditions it is growing in. The following guide indicates the plants mature size, which it will get to in an ideal natural growing habitat.

Large, height over 1.5 metres
Medium, height between 0.6 and 1.5 metres
Small, height less than 0.6 metres

Climbers

Climbers provide an extra physical dimension to the garden, without using up valuable ground space. They are great to soften or hide ugly structures. They create living walls of delight, with a curtain of flowers and foliage, extending the flowering range of our gardens. You can grow plants normally too tender for a region, by growing them against a heat retentive wall. Many climbers will also make very effective ground covers. There are climbers for almost every site. Most of them prefer to be planted with their roots in the cool shade, allowing the stems to climb towards the sun.

The eventual size of a plant is partly dependant on the conditions it is growing in. The following guide indicates the climber’s mature size which it will get to in an ideal natural growing habitat. They are also grouped into the method by which they use to climb

Self-clinging, these climbers will have aerial roots or adhesive tendril tips which give them the ability to scale a wall or tree trunk without added support. Many of these can be used as ground cover over banks.
Twining stems, large. These climbers use twining stems, curling tendrils or curling petioles which require support other than that of a flat surface up which to grow. This group can climb up to over 5 metres high.
Twining stems, small. These climbers use twining stems, curling tendrils or curling petioles which require support other than that of a flat surface up which to grow. This group will generally not climb anymore than 5 metres high.
Long scandent stems. These climbers have hooked thorns or long scandent stems which require the support of a wall, hedge or tree over or into which to scramble. Many of these can be used as ground cover over banks.

Ferns

This highly symbolic group have taken 300 million years to evolve into a unique and beautiful range of plants. Ferns provide wonderful lush textural contrast and form in the garden all year around. They are loved for the elegant and delicate symmetry of their fronds. A group planting of ferns will give the garden a very natural and established look. Ferns come from many different habitats, but most of them prefer shady and often moist conditions. They form a stout stem on which is spirally arranged the current year’s fronds. Often they will grow well in areas where it can be difficult to establish other plants. Some will spread by rhizomes.

The eventual size of a plant is partly dependant on the conditions it is growing in. The following guide indicates the plants mature size, which it will get to in an ideal natural growing habitat.

Large, height over 3 metres
Medium, height between 1 to 3 metres
Small, height less than 1 metre
Grasses, sedges and flaxes

Grasses, sedges and flaxes

This is a group of highly decorative and ornamental plants are grown for their long narrow, strap-like leaves. They play a very important part in the garden with tufts of foliage adding an architectural quality of height and colour. They introduce a sense of freedom and movement that gives a natural look. There is a wide choice of leaf colour and form; some have graceful and interesting flowers. They come from a wide range of habitats and care must be taken to plant them in conditions that suit each type. They mostly prefer open sunny conditions.

The eventual size of a plant is partly dependant on the conditions it is growing in. The following guide indicates the plants mature size, which it will get to in an ideal natural growing habitat.

Large, height over 1.5 metres
Medium, height between 0.6 to 1.5 metres
Small, height less than 0.6 metre

Palms

Palms have a very distinctive form and habit of growth, making them a useful and reliable part of our landscape. The elegant and graceful leaves provide valuable structure and texture. For best effect they can be planted singularly with room to grow and not crowded by other plants, or in larger groups of the same species. Many of the more graceful palms do prefer a warmer climate and adequate moisture.

The eventual size of a plant is partly dependant on the conditions it is growing in. The following guide indicates the plants mature size, which it will get to in an ideal natural growing habitat.

Large, height over 3 metres
Small, height less than 3 metre

Perennials

Perennials are usually termed as non-woody plants that last at least 3 years and often indefinitely. They are valuable for providing seasonal flower colour and a fresh lush fullness of foliage to a garden border. They usually reach their full size in one season providing instant gratification! They allow the good gardener many opportunities to use a range of colours to enhance the pleasure of a garden. Perennials range from those that can be left without care, to those that will need some seasonal care. Many will also be deciduous for a season.

The eventual size of a plant is partly dependant on the conditions it is growing in. The following guide indicates the plants mature size, which it will get to in an ideal natural growing habitat.

Large, height over 1.2 metres
Medium, height between 0.6 to 1.2 metres
Small, height less than 0.6 metre

Shrubs

Shrubs are woody plants which produce multiple stems, shoots or branches from their base, but do not generally have a single trunk. A well planted shrub garden can provide interest and colour all year around without constant maintenance. Shrubs provide a mixed garden with structure and form. Many shrubs are grown for their flowers, however many also have coloured, variegated or interesting leaves. There is a huge range of shrubs available. Taking care to decide on the final dimensions of the shrub you need and the conditions you have in your garden will give you the best future results.
The eventual size of a plant is partly dependant on the conditions it is growing in. The following guide indicates the plants mature size, which it will get to in an ideal natural growing habitat.

Large, height over 1.2 metres
Medium, height between 0.6 to 1.2 metres
Small, height less than 0.6 metre
Dwarf, height 0.3 to 1 metre
Prostrate, or creeping.

Succulents

A succulent is a drought tolerant plant that stores water in its leaves, roots or stems to survive the conditions in its natural habitat. They are a fantastic plant to help create a dramatic and bold landscape. Many of them have a stiff simple form that does not always change with the seasons. Carefully sited they give wonderful silhouettes against walls or other landscape features. Many are suited to growing in containers where time is not available to tend a more fussy plant. There are many different types; some with spectacular flowers, others with colourful or unusual leaves. Mostly they are very easy to care for once you have chosen a suitable site for them. Many have flowers full of nectar for the bees and birds. Mostly they need plenty of light and air movement for good growth and do not like being crowded out by other plants.

The eventual size of a plant is partly dependant on the conditions it is growing in. The following guide indicates the plants mature size, which it will get to in an ideal natural growing habitat.

Large, height over 1 metre
Medium, height between 0.23to 1 metre
Small, height less than 0.23 metre

Trees

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. ~ Chinese Proverb

A tree is a woody plant with a single main stem, generally branching at some distance from the ground giving an elevated crown. Of all plants, trees have the greatest capacity to keep us in touch with nature, refresh our minds and soften the uncompromising shapes of manmade structures. They have many benefits other than their great natural beauty. They provide welcome shade from our hot sun, they purify the air, and shelter us from wind. They give the garden scale and dimension. Your choice of the trees you plant will be the most important of all garden decisions. The best results will come from deciding what the final size of the tree should be, finding the tree that will only grow to this size, and will grow well in your conditions.

The eventual size of a plant is partly dependant on the conditions it is growing in. The following guide indicates the plants mature size, which it will get to in an ideal natural growing habitat.

Large, height over 18 metres
Medium, height between 10 and 18 metres
Small, height between 4.5 and 9 metres