August in the Garden: Grow, Bloom, Thrive!
As August unfolds, our gardens are brimming with signs that spring is just around the corner. From the fragrant charm of fynbos to the striking blooms of lilies, this is the month to celebrate colour, growth, and renewal. In this newsletter, we explore how to nurture these beauties in your own garden and share essential tips for keeping your beds, borders, and containers thriving. Whether you’re captivated by South Africa’s indigenous treasures or looking to give your plants the best possible start for the season ahead, you’ll find inspiration and expert advice in our latest articles.
Fall in love with fynbos and lilies
Celebrate the last month of winter with vibrant lilies and spectacular fynbos.
Luxury lilies
- In the spotlight: The calla lily (Zantedeschia sp.) is a remarkable flowering plant that epitomises sophistication. Available in a variety of colours, these beauties perform best in full to semi-sun with moist soil. Grow them in containers on the patio or along bed edges to create a stylish, vibrant border. Transplant your calla lilies from the end of August followed by a monthly dose of fertiliser during their flowering period.
Top tip: Calla lilies require a dormant period once flowering has ceased. During this time, refrain from watering as much to allow the plant to die back.
- If you are looking for a local plant with personality and quirk, try the pineapple lily (Eucomis). This charmer is a miniature floral representation of the pineapple fruit, so you can only imagine the attitude this plant packs. They are very frost and cold tender, so grow them in containers where they can be moved when needed. Pineapple lilies enjoy well-prepared, deep soil in full sun spots.
- Shade-loving, butterfly attracting, showy and cut-flower perfect – it can only be the white spider lily (Hymenocallis speciosa). They boast umbels of white, sweetly scented blooms that rest dramatically upon tall bare stems. These odd yet elegant gems are ideal for beds under trees with dappled shade or indoors with bright natural light. Water them well during flowering in fast-draining soil.
Top local lily pick: Try the Cape’s George lily (Cyrtanthus elatus) and begin a red romance with this lovely, anywhere receiving full sun to semi-shade.
Fiery fynbos
Fynbos is a specific group of vegetation that is known as Proteaceae. Fynbos has expertly adapted over millions of years and has thus become the world’s most diverse plant habitat, even more than a tropical rainforest. Wanting to add some fynbos to your garden? Shop online here.
Proteas
- King Pink is our national flower and a dramatic addition to the garden. They enjoy full sun in beds and containers, are drought and frost-hardy, and make for stunning cut flowers. Enjoy their bold blooms from July to October every year.
Ericas
- Fairy Confetti is a sweetheart shrub with masses of tiny pink flowers that add happiness to the garden. Their pretty blooms can be expected from spring, along with the many indigenous wildlife visitors they attract. Plant then in full sun in beds or pots.
Leucospermums
- The Scarlet Ribbon is a vigorous grower with no shortage of blooms. Their intricate flower heads will bring any bed or container to life with striking red, orange, and yellow details. Grow then in full sun and enjoy their flowering time from September.
Leucadendron range
- Inca Gold is a decorative foliage plant with bright green, lime/yellow leaves that contrast perfectly with their pink edges. Grow them in full sun beds where you can look forward to a unique flower show from November to September.
Top tips:
- Fynbos love organic, rich dirt and thrive in sandstone derived, acidic soil with good drainage and no manure.
- Plant your fynbos with Bio Rock Root Builder.
- Feed your fynbos with an organic fertiliser such as Bio Ocean.
- Mulch your plants with acid compost once a year and remember to prune your fynbos after flowering or before spring for nice full growth.
A colourful transition from winter to spring
The winds of August bring a promise: the scent of spring is in the air! After months of nurturing your garden through the chill, your reward is near. With the days getting longer and the soil beginning to warm, August is a pivotal month in the gardening calendar. It’s time to enjoy the final stretch of cool-season colour, prep for summer planting, and get your soil in shape with the right nourishment.
Fulfilling Flowers for August
Strikingly Crazy for Daisies
August is the last hurrah for cold-loving daisy bushes, and they’re not going quietly! Expect a riot of colour from beds, borders, and containers. These easy-going bloomers are a must for late-winter gardens and a fabulous way to mask bare patches or post-frost damage.
7 Daisies to Try This Month:
- Cape daisy (Osteospermum) – Indigenous and water-wise, blooming from spring to autumn in rich hues.
- Marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum) – Butterfly magnet with cheerful flowers in single and double forms.
- English daisy (Bellis perennis) – Fast-spreading, blooming masses from winter into spring.
- Golden daisy bush (Euryops) – Evergreen and compact, flowering through the cold with bright yellow heads.
- Livingstone daisy (Mesembryanthemum) – A vibrant groundcover that begins to dazzle in August.
- Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum) – Spreading perennials with classic white blooms.
- Kingfisher daisy (Felicia amelloides) – Local sky-blue charmers that butterflies adore.
Feeding advice:
To get the most out of your daisies and flowering annuals, feed monthly with Bio Ocean, an organic-based fertiliser made from seaweed, fishmeal and humates. This blend promotes root growth, flowering and overall plant health.
Deadhead regularly, water consistently, and mulch well to retain moisture and discourage weeds.
Top tip: Visit your Garden Centre now for daisy seedlings and compost. Stock up on Flower & Fruit for your beds—it’s ideal for sustained blooming and improving soil fertility.
Blooms, Bulbs & Beauties
Sow Now:
Get a head start on spring with seeds of marigolds, ageratum, cosmos, lobularia, cleomes, godetias, lavateras, phlox, sunflowers, nicotiana, impatiens and begonias.
Plant Summer Bulbs:
Pop these into the ground or containers now:
- Gladiolus
- Calla lilies
- Cannas
- Spider lilies
- George lilies
- Tuberoses
- Galtonias
- Crocosmias
- Eucomis
- Arum lilies
- Dahlias
Feeding tip:
When planting bulbs, mix Bio Rock Root Builder into your soil or potting mix. Its phosphates and beneficial microbes encourage strong, healthy root systems for future flowering.
Reminder: Don’t cut the leaves of spring bulbs yet, they’re still storing energy for next season!
Rose lovers:
Prune now if you haven’t already. After pruning, feed generously with Flower & Fruit and water deeply. Spray stems with organic pest repellents to curb overwintering insects and fungi.
In the Grow Zone: Edibles
Sow from seed:
If you’re in a frost-free area, plant:
- Runner and dwarf beans
- Sweetcorn & maize
- Pumpkins & squashes
- Basil, coriander, and rocket
From seedlings:
Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, shallots, garlic, rhubarb and globe artichokes.
Edible garden feeding tip:
Top-dress with Bio Ocean, it will boost leafy growth, flavour, and resilience to pests.
Harvest now:
Pull up mature root veggies such as parsnips, beets, carrots and radishes.
Motivated Maintenance
Lawn Loving:
Begin pre-spring lawn prep now.
- Mow low
- Rake to remove thatch
- Level with topsoil
- Apply Bio Ganic Lawns for an organic nitrogen boost
- Add compost and a thin lawn dressing layer
Shade lawn seed can be sown now for lush cover in tricky areas.
Wind Whirling:
- Stake new trees and trellises to withstand gusty days.
- Tie down new growth on vines and espaliered plants.
- Mulch around edibles to retain warmth and prevent erosion.
Slug & Snail Patrol:
Plant natural barriers like mint, garlic, chives and fennel. Their scent deters pests, and they’re edible too!
Ladybugs to the rescue!
These garden allies help control aphids, scale, thrips and mealybugs. Encourage them by avoiding harmful pesticides and planting daisy-type flowers.
Frost Caution:
In very cold areas, leave frost-damaged foliage intact for now – it acts as insulation. Prune once frost risk has passed.
