In a world of green gardens, this plant dares to be different. Black Mondo, also known as Black Lilyturf or Black Dragon, is a stunning, evergreen perennial treasured for its striking, near-black foliage and its dramatic, ground-covering habit. It forms dense, low-growing tufts of arching, strap-like leaves that mature to a deep, rich purple-black, appearing almost jet black in certain light. That incredible, dark foliage creates a dramatic, textural carpet that provides the ultimate contrast. In summer, short spikes of small, bell-shaped flowers in soft lilac or pinkish-white appear, followed in autumn by glossy, pea-sized, ornamental jet-black berries.

For instant formal elegance, few plants rival the Indian Laurel Standard Tree. This iconic ‘lollipop’ tree features a strong, straight, pale grey stem topped with a dense, rounded head of medium-sized, leathery, glossy, rich green leaves. The artfully sculpted shape creates a neat, clean-cut silhouette that adds vertical interest and a sense of order and design to any space.

Watch it cling to a bare wall, and you’ll see how this climber transforms hard surfaces into living tapestries. Tickey-Creeper, also known as Creeping Fig or Climbing Fig, is a vigorous evergreen climber with tiny, round to heart-shaped, dark green leaves that overlap like shingles, adhering to walls and fences by means of adhesive aerial rootlets. As the plant matures, the foliage transforms, producing larger, thicker, oval leaves on woody stems, and may eventually bear small, fig-like fruits on old wood.

Walk into the shade of a mature Natal Mahogany on a hot summer’s day, and you’ll immediately appreciate its generous spirit. Also known as Rooiessenhout, this stately evergreen tree develops a wide, spreading crown of long, compound leaves—each made up of 3-5 pairs of dark, glossy green leaflets plus a terminal one. The smooth bark starts pale grey to dark brown, sometimes becoming rougher and fluted at the base of very old specimens. In late winter through spring (August to November), look closely and you’ll spot small clusters of sweetly scented, creamy-green flowers. But the real show comes later: rounded, brownish capsules split open to reveal large, shiny black seeds, each wrapped in a fleshy, bright red aril—like nature’s own jewellery.

If you love soft, ever-changing colours, this little succulent will steal your heart. Calico Kitten is a variegated form of our local trailing crassula, grown for its delicate, heart-shaped leaves in a stunning mix of sage green, creamy-white, and rosy-pink margins. Those pink tones intensify to hot pink and even burgundy when the plant is gently stressed by sun or drought, creating a living watercolour effect along slender, wiry reddish-brown stems. In late spring to early summer, tiny star-shaped white to pale pink flowers add a touch of fairy-tale charm.

Those glossy, emerald-green rosettes perched atop branching stems look like something from another world. Tree Aeonium, also known as Tree Houseleek or Irish Rose, is a striking branching succulent shrub with smooth, upright stems reaching up to 2 metres tall, each crowned with a perfect, flattened rosette of fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves. Those leaves are a vibrant, glossy green, often taking on subtle coppery or purple tones in strong sunlight. In late winter through spring, mature rosettes send up tall panicles of small, star-shaped, bright yellow flowers, attracting pollinators.

Step into any ancient herb garden, and you’ll likely find this plant growing proudly. Common Mugwort is a robust, rhizomatous perennial with upright, angular, reddish-brown stems that can tower up to 2 metres tall. Its distinctive, deeply lobed leaves are rich, deep green above and covered in dense, white, woolly felt beneath. Brush against them, and you’ll release a complex, spicy, slightly sage-like fragrance. In late summer to early autumn, dense panicles of small, creamy-yellow to reddish-brown flowers appear, adding subtle texture at the top of the plant.

For a burst of crisp, cheerful colour, few plants beat the Cape Marguerite. Also known as Van Staden’s River Daisy or Blouwitmagriet, this fast-growing evergreen perennial shrub produces large, luminous daisy flowers up to 8cm across. The classic form features striking white ray florets (often a soft blush pink on the reverse) surrounding a central disc of intense deep blue or purple. The peak flowering period is in spring, but blooms continue through summer into autumn, providing months of reliable colour. The lush, dark green aromatic leaves form a dense, leafy mound that sets off those showy flowers beautifully.