We recently hosted the Spider Club of Southern Africa. Below is a collection of species we discovered.
Indigenous landscaping & garden design
in Johannesburg & Pretoria, South Africa
in Johannesburg & Pretoria, South Africa
Southern Africa is home to a rich diversity of fauna and flora. Over 24000 plant species have been recorded in the subregion, and many of our plants are cultivated in gardens around the world, where they are much loved by their hosts and by those who visit the gardens.
Southern African homeowners are placing increasing value on indigenous species in their gardens, in particular for the wildlife these plants support. By planting locally indigenous species homeowners can encourage the local wildlife - specifically insects - to travel beyond the confines of nearby nature reserves and protected areas into surrounding gardens, where the plants they feed on can be found. This increases the biodiversity of an area and helps sustain our wonderful fauna and flora, along with creating a sensory appealing garden to enjoy.
Grounded Landscaping is an award-winning, Johannesburg-based company specialising in indigenous gardens. We create grassland, bushveld and forest themed gardens based on the requirements of the client and the specifics of the site, and use modern design concepts to integrate the garden into your home. We are based in the Cradle of Humankind and manage our own 5 hectares of indigenous grassland using veld management practices, as well as propagating some of the grassland species for our client's gardens.
Follow the links below to read more about our gardens and testimonials from past clients, or browse our DIY pages for inspiration and ideas for creating your own wildlife-friendly space. For more on Southern Africa's wonderful plant diversity visit our plantbook website: www.plantbook.co.za
We recently hosted the Spider Club of Southern Africa. Below is a collection of species we discovered.
Pompom weed (Eupatorium macrocephalum = Campuloclinium macrocephalum) is an aggressive invader that can compromise the biodiversity of our grasslands. Below we discuss how you can remove it mechanically.
South Africa is home to a rich diversity of water wise plants. Below we list some common favourites to get you started on your journey to a water wise, indigenous garden
A garden is a space that evolves over time. Beautiful gardens are therefore spaces that are well-managed. Here we take a look at the evolution of a small townhouse garden, from its inception to what it looks like today
A list of the most common garden problems we see in Gauteng
Some case studies and a selection of our installed gardens.
Visit our projects page here
An indigenous grassland haven in Eagle Canyon Golf Estate
An outdoor entertainment space with a spectacular view
An indigenous, wildlife-haven in the heart of Bryanston
A garden makeover in the beautiful suburb of Poortview
A contemporary design in Lonehill
A new entertainment space in this Craighall Park garden
Saving water in Madikwe Game Reserve
An outdoor seating area and firepit for family entertainment
Tranquil indigenous retreat in Ferndale
Gordon & Sue Morrison, The Bush House, Madikwe Game Reserve
Keith Coyne, Property Consultant
Barbara Devine, Blairgowrie
Carel Robinson, Randburg
Natalie Skoutellas, Bedfordview
Christelle Dunn, Highlands North
Alex Dohm, Ferndale
Julia Blitz, Mooikloof
Eric & Amelia Kleijn, Parktown
The arid regions of Southern Africa - particularly the succulent karoo - are hotspots for plant biodiversity, and every year local and international tourists flock to the region to see succulents and wildflowers in bloom. Although the climate differs from the highveld, homeowners can recreate this habitat in their garden by choosing a hot sunny spot - preferably with well-drained soil - and incorporating species that are tolerant of our wet summers and cold, frosty winters. Visit our plantbook.co.za website for planting options, or contact us to set up a consultation.
As the name implies, a lawn-free garden refers to a space that doesn't have lawn, and therefore doesn't require mowing, requires less watering, and overall requires less maintenance. Lawn-free gardens can be based on a particular biome, or we can incorporate a range of different indigenous species. Access through a lawn-free garden is usually on pathways, stepping stones or decking, whilst low-growing groundcovers like Dymondia can be used for more open spaces, and can handle a small amount of foot traffic. In general lawn-free gardens increase biodiversity, and using up your lawn space allows you to experiment with new plant species, each one adding something special to your home.
As with bird gardens, creating a locally indigenous garden will naturally attract bees and butterflies to your home, but if you have a preference for these delightful creatures then there are a few enhancements you can make. For butterflies it's important to distinguish between two methods to attract them; the first by providing them with nectar-producing flowers, and the second by planting butterfly-specific host plants. Arguably the most well known of these is the Kiggelaria africana (Wild Peach), which is host to the Garden acraea butterfly. This butterfly - specifically its larvae - can become so prolific that it can strip the leaves of the tree bare, but the plant soon recovers, and in return you are rewarded with a garden filled with orange-coloured butterflies, as well as visiting cuckoos which feed on the larvae. Other well-known butterfly host plants include Vepris lanceolata (White Ironwood) which is host to the Citrus Swallowtail butterfly (if it isn't feeding on your lemon trees..), and Plectranthus species which are host plants for the Garden Inspector. As for bees, well it is worth mentioning that there are more than 1200 different species in the country! Apart from the African Honey Bee, carpenter bees are just as wonderful to have in the garden, and by providing appropriate nectar plants, as well as 'bee-hotels', one can help attract and support these much needed pollinators.
We believe indigenous gardens do not require an irrigation system. As in nature, your garden should be able to rely on rainfall, or manual watering if there are extended dry spells, and we have installed many gardens that do not have irrigation but which remain healthy throughout the year, and whose owners are willing to manually water them if required. But there are times when an irrigation system is convenient, such as a newly installed garden, or gardens with thirsty plants such as food (herb/vegetable) gardens.
If you do want an irrigation system then we have a team dedicated to the installation of irrigation. We are trained by the LIA (Landscape Irrigation Association) and install our systems by following best practices. We use the latest technologies and are up to speed with the latest trends in the industry. We also use high-density (HDPE) piping and fittings, which ensures a long-lasting, robust solution. Here are some of the advantages of using us for your irrigation system:
Before setting out on your garden project we first meet with you at home or on site to ascertain your needs and the vision for your garden. We then discuss the practicalities of the site, its strengths and limitations - existing trees and shrubs, the impact of light and shade in both winter and summer, soil, as well as drainage considerations. We then take measurements of your existing garden or site, photograph the area, and go through your estate’s landscaping guidelines (if applicable) to ensure our design will conform to the requirements. If your site plans are available then we match these to the measurements we have taken and to imagery from Google Earth (if possible), and utilise them in your design.
Here is an example of our process flow, from our first meeting with you, through to design, costing, installation, and completion of the garden:
At Grounded we strive to provide a professional, personalised service. We use quality products and have an experienced team. Our relationships with a number of suppliers allows us to save you costs and to deliver the high standard we want to be known for. We exercise complete transparency in our pricing so you’ll know exactly what has gone into your garden.
Visit our project showcase, our FAQ’s, our plantbook website, or our DIY section to read more about us or landscaping with indigenous plants – and contact us at designs@groundedlandscaping.co.za to arrange a consultation.
Take your lifestyle investment to the next level with Grounded Landscaping!
Planting indigenous trees is a wonderful way to enhance the biodiversity of your garden. Here we cover some of the best options for small gardens
Hadedas stir up many emotions for Gauteng residents. Below we unpack a bit more about hadedas in the garden. Please feel free to add your own experiences with hadedas in our comments section below
South Africa is home to a rich diversity of water wise plants. Below we list some common favourites to get you started on your journey to a water wise, indigenous garden
Trees are wonderful additions to our homes, but good selection and placement is important to prevent damage to our properties
A list of frequently asked questions about our company, service, plants, and landscaping in general:
