Home Improver Issue 2

Improver

Outdoor Living

EXPERTS ANSWER YOUR HOME QUERIES

See stockists page 24

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

DESIGNER Kim Stone and I have loved working on this Home Improver Outdoor edition for you.

While sourcing content, ideas, trends, advice, DIY help and photos we have felt the lightness of the new season approaching, as days get warmer and some restrictions are lifted.

On the two polls I conducted on our @HomeImproverZA Instagram and Facebook accounts, over 50% of you said despite the country moving to level 1 lockdown, you would still be spending most of your time at home – which now truly is your castle.

With this in mind, I hope you will be inspired by these pages and they give you great ideas on how to make your outdoor space a true haven.

Please do spare a thought for our local home improvement retail outlets who have been hard hit by this pandemic and, where you can, buy local and spread the love.

Do email me at vivian.warby@inl.co.za to: ♦ Subscribe to our magazine and newsletter. ♦ Send your questions, comments or suggestions.

Look forward to hearing from you…

Till next time, Warm regards

arby Vivian W DO JOIN US ON: @HomeImproverZA @HomeImproverZA

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An Instagram find: @blackbox.lifestyle Craig Olckers, who designs bespoke outdoor spaces, is making these raised planter boxes for a range of plants from annuals and perennials to veggies, succulents and topiaries.

Price: Depends on the size of the boxes and the types of plantings required.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Outdoor living

This beautiful and proudly South African firepit made in Cape Town by sprung.co.za popped up on Instagram.

Each bespoke firepit is made to your specifications and comes with a wooden lid.

We’ve partnered with Sprung so our readers can claim a 15% discount on their purchase when they quote this code: IND2020.

Prices: Range from R5 500

I love The Fire Pit Company’s stunning firepits.

If they don’t have what you want in their beautiful contemporary range, they’ll make you one to suit your taste. Accessories available.

See pages 4 and 24

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This Malawian wicker and rattan chair from joycloke.com is a winner. The chairs are handmade by master weavers using rattan strips woven into intricate patterns.

Price: R1 250 Black and white poly-cotton mix scatter cushions with quality duck-feather inners: 60x60cm Price: R550

FIREPLACES used to be found in older houses and today are still on buyers’ wish lists. However, an upand-coming trend is toward incorporating fireplaces into spaces other than the traditional living room, such as in bathrooms, dressing rooms and, of course, outside.

Local agents are seeing everything from the simple firepit to customised fire features built into the deck or garden.

Will Engelbrecht of WillDesign says to make the most of your outdoor fireplace ensure you have plenty of seating options for guests.

A combination of couches, chairs, benches, hammocks, or beautiful carpets and big cushions to sit on, brings the cosy

environment of a living room fire to the great outdoors.

Firelight also gives your garden a warm ambience while effective placement of your firepit can create an indoor/outdoor living space perfect for entertaining.

Outdoor firepits can be used all year round, “and a roaring fire is as mesmerising as a roaring ocean”, says Engelbrecht.

You can also cook up a storm by placing a grill on your firepit and get sizzling.

An outdoor fireplace or firepit can also raise the value of your home.

Outdoor enhancements are worth the investment as “we are likely to see interest in them grow as people stay at home more”.

Bright into the night A firepit on a deck or in the garden can be used all year round and with the addition of a grid can easily be turned into an impromptu braai area

S WORDS VIVIAN WARBY PICTURE ERIK MCLEAN

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CONTACT US

AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY

Improver

PUBLISHER: Vasantha Angamuthu vasantha@africannewsagency.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR PROPERTY: Vivian Warby EDITOR HOME IMPROVER: Vivian Warby vivian.warby@inl.co.za

TO ADVERTISE IN OUR MONTHLY DIGITAL MAGAZINE, CONTACT:

KZN anne.reddy@inl.co.za larissa.marks@inl.co.za CAPE TOWN margi.marsland@inl.co.za

leigh.bester@inl.co.za GAUTENG marla@brandbarrow.co.za

DESIGN: Kim Stone kim.stone@inl.co.za PRODUCTION: Renata Ford Renata.ford@inl.co.za BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Keshni Odayan Keshni.odayan@inl.co.za SALES: Charl Reineke charl@africannewsagency.com Kyle Villet kyle.villet@africannewsagency.com GENERAL ENUIRIES info@anapublishing.com

P I C T U R E V E C I S L A V A S P O PA

BRINGING WARMTH TO THE OUTDOORS https://customfirepits.co.za/range/ Bespoke, breathtaking fire pits. If you can’t find what you like from our standard range of products, allow us to custom-make a fire pit to meet your requirements.The Fire Pit Company is your one-stop-fire pit-shop. If we do not have it, we will make it or source it for you.

When it comes to a fire pit and associated accessories, we have it covered. If you have a bespoke idea for your fire pit, allow our design team to bring it to life. Or simply choose from our wide selection of handcrafted products. Our fire pits are designed to last a lifetime. Made from 4mm carbon steel, they are thick enough to be durable, but not so thick it makes them difficult to handle.

Contact details: +27 (0)73 121 7564 or info@thefirepitco.com Delivery throughout Southern Africa

The covered terrace overlooking the lawn-lined swimming pool creates the perfect oasis for outdoor relaxation and comfort.

ARRCC ARRCC director director Jon Jon Case Case and and ARRCC designer Quintin ARRCC designer Quintin Gilman Gilman tell us how they creattells us how they created this ed this outdoor entertainer’s outdoor entertainer’s dream dream space Cape Town space in CapeinTown

WORDS VIVIAN WARBY PICTURE GREG COX

Outside in

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“THE FAMILY we designed the home for is very social, and they love to entertain, so a great outdoor space was important for them,” says ARRCC director Jon Case.

“We included a few surprise elements such as a hidden television set on the outdoor terrace.

“The client loves to entertain guests, particularly when big sporting matches are on, so this was ideal.

“We wanted to create seamless indoor and outdoor living – for instance the lounge opens to the outside and provides a comfortable and cosy area where the parents can watch their kids swimming and playing on the lawn,” says Case.

ARRCC designer Quintin Gilman believes outdoor space should flow as a natural extension of the interior with furniture and fabrics that harmoniously link the two spaces.

The house was designed so the covered terrace overlooks the swimming pool and green lawn to become a natural extension of the entertainment area.

ABOVE: An armchair is beside the fireplace. Balloon-like glass vases enhance the elegant play of colour and form. BELOW: Part of the large entrance hall with the staircase leading up to the bedrooms and to the basement. Marble, glass balustrades with brass cladding, and dark-stained timber create unique textures.

LEFT: A working space furnished with a writing desk and a green-blue polycarbonate swivel chair.

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ABOVE: The spectacular entrance is framed by the crisp horizontals and verticals of the timber and paving.

“The existing space was bare and lifeless, and also exposed to the gaze of the surrounding neighbours, so we needed to close it off with a bespoke screen and pergola to create privacy for the homeowners, as well as making a cosy outside lounge area,” says Gilman.

“The fireplace, barbecue and pizza oven make for effortless alfresco sessions, enjoyed under the dappled sunlight that passes through the bespoke slatted timber pergola.”

The cool grey of the floor slabs has been heightened using concrete and natural-stone panel blocks fitted onto the darker charcoal-coloured slatted feature wall, which also slightly extends

ABOVE: The terrace has a bespoke timber pergola and fireplace, braai and pizza oven. BELOW: The cool neutrals of the furniture in this seating area emphasise the vivid colours of the artwork.

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Tips from ARRCC designer Quintin Gilman How to make the interior blend with the exterior: • Use the same colour palette, materials and textures in the two areas.

• Allow the glazing and doors to “disappear”.

• “Pocket” doors that slide into the walls are preferred to allow the indoor space to open to the outdoors.

• Seating should be comfortable.

• Lighting is critical and needs to be seamless between the spaces.

ABOVE: The outdoor areas of this family home boast magnificent views of Lion’s Head and create the perfect oasis for relaxation and comfort. BELOW: In the formal lounge, a marine-blue rug grounds the layout. Teal cushions and green ceramic side tables continue the aquamarine theme. Fabric in sorbet hues covers two ottomans, breaking the blocks of colour.

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along the wall into the indoor lounge, further highlighting the interior and exterior connection.

The sand-blasted travertines and pre-cast concrete features are backlit, creating a subtle mood and warm effect.

“This textured, aesthetic look we were going for manifests in the plaited armchairs too, with their weaving patterns relating to the spiralling forms found on the dyed cerise, turquoise and grey cushions dotted around this space,” he adds.

Creating a transition point between this area and the circular six-seater outdoor dining table, a suspended sofa swings gently in the breeze – a reminder that this is a home to be enjoyed.

ABOVE: The outdoors is always beckoning in this beautiful home.

Get sizzling with a built-in braai DIY expert Don MacAlister, aka HandyMac, tells you how to construct your own

1 IF YOU are building close to the house, or onto it, you need to ensure the top of the flue is higher than the surrounding roofs, otherwise the fire won’t draw properly.

2 Check your braai has a spark inhibitor built in, especially if you are close to thatch roofs, and don’t forget you need a light inside the firepit.

3 If you have a large roof overhang be careful – you don’t want roofing timbers close to the flue.

4 I have checked the regulations and, although they are a bit vague, it appears you don’t need approved plans but you do need

to get municipal approval.

5 Once you are good to go, try a cheap, portable braai in the desired position to see how it is going to be affected by wind.

6 Before building the braai, test it by placing it on a pile of bricks, with the flue in position to check it is drawing.

7 There are many braais built so a house wall is used as its back wall, but rather keep them separate, especially if your house wall is a cavity one. However, you don’t want the gap to be too big as it will become a dirt trap.

8 If it is to be freestanding,

I recommend all the walls, including those surrounding the box, be 220mm or double brick.

9 Ensure every fourth course is a header course and use brickforce every fourth course.

10 If using one, make sure your builder has a properly dimensioned sketch of what he is going to

build for you.

11 Remember you need a solid foundation.

12 Ensure all of the fire box is surrounded by fire/insulation material, including the parts of the flue that are built in.

13 Use fire bricks adjacent to all metal surfaces. I have had more success with braais built of face brick.

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Popcorn, starlight, action What could be more romantic than watching a movie in the garden under the wide night sky? Here are some tips to set up this latest show-time trend

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W H AT Y O U ’ L L NEED A projector A sheet or projector panel A wall An extension cord to reach the nearest power supply Cushions, blankets, comfy chairs A computer with your favourite films Speakers TECHNICAL SET Place your sheet or screen in a secure, windfree spot. The easiest way to stream your

movie is to use a laptop.

Connect your speakers and projector to this film source and test everything is working properly – that the sound is clear and the image is centred on the screen.

D E C O R AT E Genevieve Farry, owner of GF Creations, offers this advice: Plush blankets, comfy scatter cushions, bouncy bean bags, glistening candles and dreamy fairy lights all create a magical movie viewing experience.

E AT Farry suggests you spice up your popcorn with a delicious combination of spicy and sweet flavours. You can mix it with sugar-and-spice powder or keep it classic with salt and butter. Pop some chocolate balls into the popcorn too.

And cheesy pizza.

EXTRAS Add a special touch with homemade or digital movie tickets to have guests’ access granted to add fun to your movie night, she says.

Put some bounce into your garden

As people choose to entertain and exercise in the safety of their home environments, they are introducing leisure items and activities to their backyards PICTURE @TEKSOMOLIKA

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WITH Covid making many families more reclusive, we have seen them turning their back gardens into recreation sites with old favourites such as netball rings, tennis courts, pool slides, trampolines and even mini-putting greens making a comeback.

Experts say people are not going out for their entertainment as much as they used to and want to ensure they have everything on hand to keep themselves entertained at home.

Outdoor home gyms are also big news.

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The perfect pergola The beginning of summer is a perfect time to add what is essentially a garden room to your home in which to enjoy hot, lazy afternoons and long, warm evenings WORDS VIVIEN HORLER P I C T U R E R A N D Y FAT H

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UNTIL there is a vaccine against Covid-19, we’re going to have to continue to take care, which means spending more time at home in our bubbles.

And with summer beckoning, this might be the time to build a pergola, so we can enjoy long warm days and evenings outdoors in the safety of our homes.

Pergolas extend your living space by becoming an outside room. They can be physically attached to your home or be a freestanding structure in your garden.

Pergolas don’t always have a roof but if you want protection from harsh sunshine – for both you and your garden furniture – they can be built with an opaque or translucent ceiling. Latte or bamboo poles can provide a pleasant stripy shade effect.

A pergola – the framework of pillars, beams and rafters – is usually built over a patio or deck which offers a firm floor for outdoor furniture. The pillars can be brick,

timber or a combination of these. If you choose timber posts ensure they are set on a metal or brick footing, and not directly into soil, or the wood will rot.

At night you’ll need a source of electricity to power lights and perhaps a fan. Alternatively, fairy lights, solar lamps or candles can provide a romantic glow.

The charm of a pergola is that it is a garden room and plants will soften the structure. These could be climbers that creep up your pillars, perhaps a vine for shade or flowering and scented pot plants.

Costs can range from do-able to substantial, depending on your design and materials. But when you consider you are essentially adding a room to your home, you’ll probably find it’s worth every cent.

And if you’re handy with a hammer and a saw, you could even build it yourself using our nine-step DIY plan on the following page.

PERGOLADIY

Dust off your tools and pay a visit to the hardware store, then follow this step-by-step guide to making your own outdoor space

What you will need • 35 bags of ­fine gravel (called Duzi gravel in KZN) • 35 bags river sand (1 cubic metre) • 3 bags building sand (for grouting) • 3 bags cement • 5 bags concrete mix • 6 x 2 400 x 100 125m CCA poles for uprights (cut from 2 700) • 2 x 3 600 x 100 125 m CCA poles for side supports • 5 x 2 400 x 100

- 125m CCA poles for cross beams (cut from 2 700) • 16 x 125 x 10mm coach screws • 2 rolls of weed guard • Spade and pick • Line and line level • Spirit level • Rubber mallet • Loppers • Wooden pegs (make these from off-cuts of wood) • Nosing trowel • Carpenter’s saw • Tape measure

Here’s how to do it Step 1 – prep your area

Find the perfect spot for the pergola and clear the area of shrubs, plants and grass. Level the ground.

Step 2 – level your path

With the line and level, mark out a pathway 1.5 metres wide.

Step 3 – lay your sand

If you are putting in steps, do so at this point.

Compact the area then cover with a 50mm deep layer of river sand.

Step 4 – set your pavers

Put the half pavers upright to create the rise of your step then fill with river sand for the step.

Lightly compact and level before laying the pavers. Do 2 to 4 pavers at a time.

To edge your pathway with cobblestones, first excavate furrows (make them double the height of the cobbles), along both edges of your pathway.

Step 5 – mix the cement

Mix a ratio of 4 parts river sand to 1 part cement with a little water (it should be porridge consistency) and use this to form the base in the furrow for the cobbles.

Lay enough cement mix to accommodate 6 cobbles at a time.

Step 6 – measure to build your pergola

The pergola uprights should be 2m apart – measure and mark where the holes are to be dug, using pegs.

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Step 7 – dig to pour the concrete

Dig 40cm deep holes and place the poles in position. Pour concrete mix around the poles, making sure they are straight, then allow the concrete to set overnight.

Step 8 – secure the poles

Secure the side support poles to the uprights with coach screws.

Step 9 – rest the cross beams

Once the side supports are secured, rest the cross beams on them and fix in place with coach screws.

QUICK DIY TIP

Drill pilot holes with a smaller drill bit to prevent poles from splitting.

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Glow up with these light ideas Lighting in the garden serves a variety of needs, from an attractive and cosy glow for entertaining, to footlights to prevent accidents and security 1 4

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ILLUMINATING your garden is important for security but it can also create a wonderful atmosphere.

Areas where you will be entertaining and relaxing with friends and family are the most rewarding spaces to light up.

Atmospheric lighting without too much light in the foreground works best for a chilled night out.

Paraffin lamps, candles and LED fairy lights are soft and gentle enhancers.

For safety, do include subtle footlights, especially if levels change in the ground, to avoid incidents and to illuminate any potentially hazardous areas.

Bamboo tiki torches or lanterns give off gentle light and can be used as an insect deterrent.

For security purposes, use spotlights and motion detectors which should be fitted at a good height and be directed over a broad area.

With load shedding still an issue, consider solar fixtures for your outdoor areas.

Solar bollards are useful along walkways and garden pathways or near stairs.

Solar lights on spikes and solar lanterns provide a portable light source and can be moved to where you need illumination.

Larger units have a panel which can be placed in a suitable position on the roof, with cables leading to the lamps it powers.

Ensure that any tricky electrical installations are done by a qualified person.

Enjoy cooking for pals?

Do try this at home

An outdoor kitchen allows you to prepare your food in the company of your guests W O R D S J U A N I TA M I N S H U L L

COOKING alfresco feels more of a pleasure than a chore.

Whether your space is a back

dirt, dust and rain.

If you already have a sizeable patio or deck area, incorporating

garden in the suburbs, a roof deck

an outdoor kitchen into that

in the city or a wide porch in the

space is relatively easy.

country, you’ll want to consid-

An existing deck can easily

Remember to consider lighting and power points for appliances.

In the luxury market, we’re seeing full-on outdoor kitchens complete with bar areas, islands,

er hard-wearing materials for

be turned into a basic outdoor

ovens, stoves and extra storage

built-in counters, seating benches

food prep and dining area by

space. These features allow a

and storage units so they remain

adding a braai stand or grill, a

homeowner and host to be

fresh-looking while surviving the

counter top and a table with

present with their guests outside

onslaught of cooking activities,

comfortable chairs.

when they are preparing the meal.

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Get that look With the lazy days of summer approaching, fix up the patio or balcony to create a relaxed and welcoming space

P I C T U R E K AT R I N A B L A I R | T H E W A S H I N G T O N P O S T

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DOOR DAZZLE If you have a door that opens on to an outdoor space, paint it a bright colour. On an outside table, add a tray with drinks and drink accessories for easy afternoon sundowners.

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POT LUCK Use plants to create the feeling of an oasis on a patio. Put them in cheerful pots or, for smaller balconies, hang them in pocket planters from the walls or railings.

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SOFA, SO GOOD Furniture: When it comes to size, try to buy the biggest furniture you can for the space you have. Imagine a patio with a sofa big enough for a nap or an oversized comfy chair, as pictured, as opposed to lots of little seats and tables.

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Cool, calm & comfortable Expert tips to stop the summer swelter from trapping you indoors PICTURE JOHN COLE

a

BALCONY or stoep is a wonderful summer afternoon place to unwind – unless of course you are hit with high temperatures and humidity.

But what’s the point of having a patio if you can’t enjoy it in the summer?

We asked some experts to help us find ways to cool the stoep down so you can enjoy it even when it is blisteringly hot:

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MAKE IT SHADIER If you don’t have a covered stoep, hang a canopy or a sail cloth over it by draping a piece of canvas over a pole attached to the house. You could also use an umbrella or a parasol.

Nearby trees or a vine can also pro-

vide shade. We love the idea of canvas curtains that can be drawn to keep out the sun.

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O U T D O O R FA N S Ceiling fans are great and pedestal oscillating fans are good as they can be moved. The added perk is that they keep mozzies away. You can also put a wet handkerchief in front of the fan and the mist will cool you down dramatically.

For this curved porch, anthonywilder.com incorporated several design elements to provide shade and comfort in the heat: outdoor draperies in indoor-outdoor fabric, ceiling fans, light colours and lattice screens.

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KEEP THE FLOORS COOL Paint the area a light colour – ensure you don’t use an oil-based paint as that will make it even hotter. A few scatter rugs add colour and comfort.

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Take stock of this cool new pool trend Get in the swim with more affordable alternatives to beating the heat in your own backyard

P I C T U R E R O YA L S W I M M I N G P O O L S / W A S H I N G T O N P O S T COMPILED BY VIVIAN WARBY

Aboveground pools are so popular during the pandemic that they’re hard to find. But you can do your homework to have one ready for next summer.

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ABOVE-the-ground pools have been all the rage during the pandemic, so much so that in America they ran out of stock, Washington Post reports. You only have to look through Pinterest and Instagram to see how beautiful they can be.

A hot above-the-ground trend emerging is a stock-tank pool. Yes, those water troughs used on farms for livestock are being adapted by innovative people to bring relief from the summer heat. The galvanised steel (think no, or very little, rust) pools are making a splash all over the internet as they are fun, inexpensive and versatile.

Stock tanks – which can be painted to suit the look and feel of your outdoor space – work well as wading or plunge pools too.

If you take good care of them, they can last for up to 10 years.

Experts say you have to clean them like like any other pool, and urge you to get a small pump and aerator, and to cover them with a net when not in use.

Wet and wild OUTDOOR showers are most popular in beach houses but, if installed in the right position, they enhance the views from any home, says Interior designer Will Engelbrecht.

People love the sense of freedom of showering in the open, and he says outdoor showers, and more recently, outdoor baths, are on many clients’ wanted lists.

Another plus is that outdoor showers don’t generally need complex drainage systems, especially if the pitch of the land directs water away from the structure into the garden.

Agents say an outdoor shower – which can be seen as a unique feature – could also add value to the home.

Engelbrecht says it is best to get cleaning instructions from the installers on how to keep the shower mould free.

Families with children make great use of their outdoor showers, says Engelbrecht. “After the kids have been playing outside all day and getting full of mud it’s easy to wash them off before going inside.

“And the same goes for with pets.”

What could be more pleasant than washing in an outdoor shower shielded by lush green plants?

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Paint it bright (but do it right) Preparation is key – paint isn’t cheap so, if you want it to last, you need to get the surfaces of your walls, planters and benches ready for it WHAT is important to take into consideration when using paint outdoors?



Whatever the application, look for a product with added UV protection to boost longevity.



Look out for textured paints. They give attractive finishes to containers, concrete columns, old wheelbarrows and even a feature wall in the garden.

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Before painting any surface, ensure that it is properly prepared. Clean the wall or object before painting and fill any cracks with exterior filler before giving it a light sanding.

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For outdoor wooden furniture, choose a quality exterior primer and paint. The paint can be latex or oil-based – choose the primer according to your paint type.

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A satin, eggshell or semi-gloss finish gives a more modern look to furniture than high-gloss coatings. Get creative with colours and textures or consider a paint technique to create a weathered look.

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The key to a good finish on any piece of wooden furniture is to properly prepare the surface. Remove all traces of previous coats of paint or varnish. Fill cracks or nicks and sand the item thoroughly to ensure a sound surface before you start painting.

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It is always best to paint from the top down.

WORDS HOME IMPROVER PICTURE @WAVEBREAKMEDIA

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Finding tranquillity

W O R D S K A Y M O N T G O M E R Y P I C T U R E S J U A N I TA S W A R T, J A N E D I E S E L , M A R I N U S H A A K M A N

Consider combining elements that will turn a space in your garden into a haven of peace and serenity AFTER the anxiety of six months of lockdown, many of us are looking for ways to relax. Designing your own personal peace garden, with plenty of green plants and other peaceful elements, can offer calm.

Here are some of the important elements for a peace garden, including water, flowers and a tree.

A Q U I E T S PA C E

A JOURNEY

Find a secluded spot that blocks out noise, such as a courtyard alongside the house or set among foliage. For a long-term solution, consider planting suitable trees on your property’s boundary. They filter noise and pollution. A hedge would suit a smaller garden. Create a space to exhale.

Peace gardens often convey a journey – a call to leave behind the baggage of the past.

A pathway which leads to a place of rest, with a statue, water feature or sundial at the end, encourages one to reflect and rest a while.

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What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare...

– WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES

In a larger garden, a labyrinth or spiral pathway encourages a reflective or meditative walk where you can clear your mind and let go of stress and tension. Unlike a maze, where the hedges are high, a labyrinth is open and low to the ground. You can construct one using stones.

In a smaller space, consider a Japanese Zen garden or dry landscape, called a karesansui. The process of raking the gravel is said to take the gardener’s mind off concerns and promote calm thoughts and mindfulness.

W AT E R F E AT U R E S AND A PLACE TO REST

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also life-giving in the garden and even a small feature attracts wildlife and increases your garden’s biodiversity. A small pond or traditional fountain creates a focal point in a small to medium garden. Harvest rainwater for your feature.

For ponds, consider aquatic plants such as the blue water lily (Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea) or waterblommetjie (Aponogeton distachyos).

Plant water-loving plants between the pond margin and the garden. Consider red hot poker (Kniphofia spp.), Cape thatching reed (Elegia tectorum) or pink marsh dissotis (Dissotis canescens).

For a courtyard garden, a reflecting pool, with a glassy dark surface, creates a

sense of serenity and provides a quiet space to unwind.

Find a spot, under trees, at the end of a pathway or alongside a water feature to place a garden bench. A bench in a material of your choice creates a place for reflection and rest.

PLANTS AS SYMBOLS OF PEACE

What plants should you consider for your peace garden?

There are numerous plants which include the word “peace” in their common name, such as the peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) or peace-in-the-home (Soleirolia soleirolii).

However, the following plants are

When you feel a peaceful joy, that’s when you are near truth – RUMI

associated with remembrance, unity and peace in society: Olive tree The use of the olive tree as a sym-

bol of peace dates back to ancient Greece where winners at the Olympic Games were crowned with olive wreathes.

Olive trees grow best in full sun in gravelly soil that drains well. They are drought-tolerant trees that are also able to withstand strong winds. In small gardens you can grow an olive tree in a container.

Fruit takes about four years.

poem In Flanders Fields.

White poppies where introduced in 1933 by a women’s anti-war movement to symbolise peace and pacifism. The poppy, Papaver nudicaule, commonly known as the Iceland poppy, is by far the easiest poppy variety to grow locally. Their crèpe-like flowers come in pastel mixes of white, yellow, peach and pink as well as traditional mixes with orange and red flowers. Plant seedlings in May to bloom in spring and choose an east-facing, sunny bed.

Lavender It is an international symbol for

Poppies The red poppy (Papaver rhoeas) grew

on the battlefields of World War I, as depicted in Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s

romance, protection and peace. It thrives in a climate with hot summers and wet winters, making it an ideal candidate for Cape

gardens. Plant lavender bushes in a position where they receive morning or afternoon sun. Soil should be well-draining. Lavender is a great hedging plant along pathways.

Peace rose The famous hybrid tea rose

“Peace” was launched at the end of World War II and over 150 million Peace roses have been sold worldwide since then.

The rose was coincidentally named on the same day that Berlin fell in 1945.

The Peace rose has large blooms in a mix of cream and yellow with pink-blush tips.

Foliage is healthy and glossy and blooms are strongly fragrant.

Plant roses where they receive at least six hours of sun daily.

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