Gardens are timeless spaces of relaxation, privacy, and recreation, providing many health benefits. If you are planning to design your garden based on African themes, there are several pointers that you should consider. Africa is vast with over 54 countries and different climatic zones, so you’re going to draw your inspirations from different cultures as well as natural materials that are available. Here are styles of gardens that are African-inspired.
Bushveld Gardens Are Easy to Maintain
Bushveld refers to vegetation that is sparse with an open canopy interspersed with perennials, bulbs, grasses and some succulents. Gardens of this type can easily be recreated in your backyard. For limited spaces, go for shrubs that thrive in the shade or under the sun. Consider Clematis in sunny areas and Carissa bispinosa, a dense evergreen foliage with fragrant flowers for spaces with limited light. Grasses such as Sporobolus festivus and Schizocarpus nervosus make a pretty landscape. To complete the bushveld atmosphere, think of putting a small cabin in your garden where you can have a cozy nook to relax, read a book or get together with family and friends. A bushveld cabin can even serve as a tiny guesthouse and it is easy to build one.
Recreate the Jardin Majorelle
Located in Marrakech, Morocco, the Jardin Majorelle features cactuses, marble pools and elevated pathways. Water is an important part of the garden and hence, there are plenty of lily ponds and fountains. Perhaps, the most prominent feature of the garden is that the built structures were painted in striking majorelle blue.
If you are thinking of replicating a small Majorelle garden in your property, there are several plants that you can add on top of cactuses. A few palm and bamboo trees as well as agave, cypresses, bougainvilleas, and lilies are good plants to put in your garden.
East African Gardens Promote Biodiversity
East African boasts some of the most beautiful gardens in the continent such as the Entebbe Botanical Gardens in Uganda, Aburi Botanic Garden in Ghana, Sarius Palmetum Botanical Garden in Nigeria, and the Nairobi Botanic Garden in Kenya. These gardens feature many indigenous plants as well as herbs, palms, and medicinal plants.
When planning an East African inspired garden, you can also add succulents and other water-wise plants, papyrus plants, and water lilies. Endangered plants and species can also be planted in your garden that not only helps conservation efforts, but also beautify your outdoor space.
African-inspired gardens not only make use of indigenous shrubs, flowers, and trees, but also threatened species. Creating a biodiverse garden helps you achieve a stunning patch where you can unwind, watch wildlife, and enjoy different African design elements.
By Jennifer Lomax
Africa Global News Publication
