I have to compliment Ferndale Nurseries on their service. As I mentioned in my post of last week, when Barbie and I were at Ferndale I saw this gorgeous plant – Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Chameleon’ – growing at the nursery and wanted to buy one. Long story short, they phoned me on Friday to tell me they had got the plant in for me. I hot-footed it off to the nursery straight away and I’m so glad I did because they only had ten, of which two had been booked by someone else. So I promptly bought six of them. They are still quite small plants and were fairly pricey, but I love them and think they will be perfect in my garden.
All six have been planted. I’ve planted them in amongst their “relatives”, Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides – Star Jasmine). They’ve been planted in this very new bed which was planted in December and is already becoming one of my favourite spots in the garden. I managed to find some “before” photos to share with you. There used to be two huge trees in this area and it was impossible to grow anything here because it wasn’t just shady, it was dark! Real, midnight-dark – seriously! The trees had to come out because they were damaging the retaining wall and I was told they would eventually damage the pool walls. So it was either the trees or the pool … we chose to keep the pool because we didn’t like the trees much and as you will see from the photos, already have plenty trees in that area.
So here are some “before” and “after” shots and then a bunch of “now” shots.
After the first tree had come down …
Still dark behind the remaining tree …
Newly planted after the trees had been removed (date of photo, 10 December 2010). I planted the annuals just to get some colour going here.
Photo taken from the side view – 10 December 2010.
And here is how it looks now three months later.
(I know, the wall needs to be replastered – it is on my “To Do” list!)
And from the side view – can you spot the “Chameleon” plants?
I am really starting to love this area … it’s still very shaded because of the willow tree and the other large trees on the other side of the wall. But we have lovely Camellias, the Makaya Bella and lots of Star Jasmine planted here with ornamental grass (Carex Evergold) and now the “Chameleon” plants as ground cover – its going to be beautiful and I love it!
Happy gardening!
xxx
16 replies on “I get my ‘Chameleon’ Plants!”
Hi
Thanx to you I just bought two ….Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Chameleon’ at Super Plants in Tokai (next to Fruit & Veg) they were R99.00 each and they still have alot in stock . Thanx for bringing the plant to my attention……..(maybe they brought the plant in cos of your blog………..how cool would that be lol)
I also bought the White Plectranthus Mona Lavender….seems the white one is new to the market…..will look great to have the white and purple together….
Thanx for a great blog……..I really enjoy reading your blog
Ani
Hi ani, how great you got the chameleons!! I love them, they are so pretty and different. I also saw them at cape garden centre on Friday – seems they are in vogue now. The ones I saw Friday were also much cheaper than mine, but also much smaller plants. I think price depends on size.
I will look out for the white Mona lavender. Thanks for telling me about them 🙂
When are you moving to your new home??
Hi
I will be in my new place 1st June….am drowing in plants at the moment….everything is in pots…..all I can see is pots, pots and more pots in my garden….waiting to be moved to my new place….LOL
Went to read up about the White Mono Lavender that I bought…….says on the sticker Plectranthus White Cape Angel and came across this………says there are versions pink, bluish and magenta………………aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh now I want those as well……..such an easy and carefree bush….as well as being showy
I have also fallen in love with Coleus….they root so easy in water….I bought a 6 pack and then rooted the rest….(only pain is to pinch the flowers off otherwise they go into seed and die)
Trying to think how to show you pics……think will make a facebook account that is open and post some pics…….can delete them later then…….
anyway here is the info I found……kinda all I know about Plectranthus and want to find the other colours now too……….
Plectranthus hail from warm temperate to tropical areas of the world (particularly South Africa) and grow in shadier parts of the garden under trees in very ordinary soil where many plants do not thrive. They grow quickly and are tolerant of drought and root-competition.
The ‘Cape Angels’ series of Plectranthus was released here about five years ago, and they result from a cross between Plectranthus saccatus and Plectranthus hilliardiae to form compact shrubs about 60-80 cm tall. There are versions with white, pink, bluish, purple and magenta flowers, which are not always sold with names in nurseries. They are long flowering and are very easy-care plants for the shady garden, though they will also grow in sunny positions. The same cross of species resulted in the popular cultivar ‘Mona Lavender’, which has purple flowers and leaves with violet undersides
Ani
Hi Ani!! how are you doing and how is your new garden doing? I was re-reading your comment and remembered – Flickr.com is a great way to share photos and it’s also free! I’m dying to hear how you are getting on in your new garden!! let me know 🙂 You can also email me at Christine @ thegardeningblog.co.za (remove the spaces). Hope to hear from you soon.
Your garden looks great. I love the before and after pictures too. I am glad you were able to get the chameleon plants.
I love seeing before and after pictures – your gardens are looking good! So glad to hear you were able to get your Chameleon plants. Chris
Oh my how beautiful it looks!! I can’t wait to see it on Wednesday!! It’s all coming together!!
Yes, slowly its happening, although I don’t think 3 months was too long a wait to see some action here. I can’t wait to see what happens here next spring. I think it will be lovely eventually.
Some times, wishes really do come true!
And the area looks lovely; I’m deeply jealous that you’re able to do anything in the garden – especially since your December photos look like you’ve not been forced into hibernation like the rest of us.
Thank you, I’m so glad you approve 🙂
We have to “hibernate” from about May through to July when it tends to rain here nearly every day (or gets really cold), but nothing as cold as your winters.
Looking good from here. I like your bird feeder in the tree to.
So do I Donna … now I wish the birds would come! But they still go to the pond for their baths.
Just lovely. Thanks for the before and after photos. It helps the gardening challenged (me). I would love to have tea and view your beautiful garden spot.
Anytime you are in the area you are most welcome to come for Tea! But it’d be a loooong trip 🙂
Glad you got your plants! How exciting! I hope they love your place and thrive for you.
Oh Holly, so do I! I’ll report back in a few months on how they are doing.