Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village Portulacaria afra plant prefers growing in dry, rocky slopes and outcrops. Luckily, it’s a bonsai plant that has plenty of alternatives (elephant bush, porkbush, dwarf jade plant, and spekboom, in Afrikaans, just to name a few! Portulacaria afra ‘Variegata’ (tricolor or rainbow elephant bush) first appeared as a sport (variant growth) of Portulacaria afra.It has cream-and-green leaves and pendant, trailing stems; and forms low, shrubby mounds that spread several feet tall and wide. Builders Warehouse – Port Elizabeth, Alma Kwekery – Welkom The word “afra” is in reference to the fact that the plant occurs in Africa. ). Tons of creative content coming your way! Right click and save this QR code to add to your plant Label. Garden Pavilion – Eckards Builders Express East London The leaves have a pleasant acidic flavour. A fine hedging plant, this bush has small, fleshy, round leaves and becomes covered in small pink flowers in early summer. Stodels – Kenilworth When you talk about portulacaria afra care, the house is an excellent place to grow Portulacaria afra because there is a controlled climate. These flowers are a rich form of nectar for insects. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra,Succulents, 4 in potted, didiereaceae, dwarf jade plant, pork bush. Spekboom (portulacaria Afra) is an indigenous plant and proudly South African It is a plant that has MANY benefits such as tackling carbon emissions like no other plant can. Each tiny pink blossom is star-shaped and made up of 5 pointed petals. Also available in a variegated form. They even transform carbon dioxide into oxygen during the night which is very unique to … We don't supply anything ourselves, but our gardening gurus can assist with any other gardening related enquiries you may have! This plant is exceptionally hard to grow in USDA zones 9-11. Plant description: A fine hedging plant, this bush has small, fleshy, round leaves and becomes covered in small pink flowers in early summer. The reddish-brown stems sustain upward reaching up to be 8’ to 15’ feet tall. The plants are drought tolerant and fire-resistant. Builders Express – Queenstown Also available in a variegated form. It has small, circular, fleshy, bright green foliage on reddish-brown stems. Spekboom. This very drought resistant tree grows in dry shade under trees or in full sun. The leaves of these plants are edible and have a tart flavor. Morphology: Succulent shrub or small tree, up to 5 m high. After rain it is covered in clear pink to rosy mauve flowers. In frost-free regions they may be used in outdoor landscaping. It is an evergreen and performs best in a sunny position. Stodels – Constantia Name Derivation: The name Portulacaria is composed of Portulaca + aria suggesting a similarity to the genus Portulaca. Portulacaria afra (Porkbush) or “Spekboom“ as we all know it , is one of my favourite specimens to work with. Flowers and Fragrance Stodels – Somerset West Portulacaria is generally suited to all areas of SA but is not ideal in heavy frost areas. October November This shrub becomes covered in small pink flowers in early summer. Portulacaria afra Flower. Leaves fleshy, obovate, sessile. This popular succulent plant is found on rocky slopes in the Karoo scrub and semi-arid landscapes in the eastern parts of South Africa. Th… Portulacaria afra – the name might sound like a mouthful, so it might be easier to refer to this plant by another name. Useful for binding the soil. Elephant bush is a drought-tolerant plant, ideally suited to growing in arid, desert-like environments.. Caring for this plant requires intense light and warm temperatures. Receive related notifications of new posts, based on your gardening interests, please let us know what you would like to receive updates on. Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) Also known as Elephant’s food/the Pork bush, Portulacaria afra is a succulent shrub with small rounded leaves and a contrasting red stem. Urth Garden Centre – Bloemfontein, Colourful Splendour – Craighall Park The long, white stamens, five to seven in number, have small dark anthers. The elephant bust itself can stand hot weather and humid climate, but it’s flowers cannot. All in all an easy to grow and very rewarding shrub! Will Get Damaged and Possibly Killed During Periods of Frost. It is being used beneficially in rehabilitating and restoring semi-arid and thicket habitats. In addition to the “normal” method of photosynthesis, these plants can undergo CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) photosynthesis. Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village. FLOWER COLOUR: HEDGE SPACING: 1m FLOWERING TIME: J F M A M J J A S O N D FRUITING TIME: J F M A M J J A S O N D . The leaves have a pleasant acid flavour and can be used in salads. Portulacaria afra grows 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads indefinitely.Use it as a backdrop plant, and/or prune into a hedge. They have reddish-brown stems with glossy green leaves. It has now been shown to be effective in carbon sequestration (binding atmospheric carbon which is responsible for climate change), in semi-arid landscapes and thicket vegetation it is also being used for restoration purposes. Platberg Nursery – Harrismith One of the many Spekboom facts is that it is indigenous to the Eastern Cape … The Portulacaria afra flowers produce much Nectar and this attracts insects, and they attract birds. Flowers. My collection and my knowledge of these incredible tolerant species has grown over the last 15 years. P. afra ‘Prostrata’ and ‘Green Carpet’ are both low growing and make an excellent ground cover in dry areas. Bruwer Kwekery – Bloemfontein Portulacaria afra, is an evergreen succulent shrub or small tree originally from South Africa, where it reaches up to four meters in height. A very hardy, drought-tolerant plant best grown in desert and succulent karoo gardens. The attractive, evergreen succulent can grow to eight feet or more, in its natural enviornment. GARDEN THEMES: Bushveld, desert, rockery, succulent Built by Brand Candy, Powered by VISIBILITI. Tiny pink flowers appear in summer. Portulacaria Afra-’Elephant Bush’ is native to South Africa. Evergreen, it reaches 2–4m high. Borne at the end of the stem in clusters, they are rich in nectar and wildly attractive to bees and other insects. Portulacaria afra is a relative of the the Jade plant (Crassula) and resembles a miniature version with smaller leaves. it’s discovered developing in dry, rough inclines. In their natural habitat they bear soft pink flowers. Also known as Elephant’s food/the Pork bush, Portulacaria afra is a succulent shrub with small rounded leaves and a contrasting red stem. Greenside Kwekery – Bloemfontein SANA is a member-driven, non-profit organisation, which strives to promote gardening as a hobby in South Africa for ALL South Africans. Floradale Nursery – Port Elizabeth Portulacaria afra is known and used around the world as a succulent garden shrub and as a bonsai subject.The leaves are small, rounded, green to yellowish and succulent, held on red stems. Portulacaria Afra – ’Elephant Bush’ Info. Garden Pavilion – Sunkist Portulacaria afra is a hardy, evergreen, neatly shaped, small tree or shrub with pretty round, succulent leaves and ruby red branches. Portulacaria afra Botanical Information. This, in turn, ensures your garden will be filled with birds. Plant Paradise Garden Centre – Pretoria During the spring, its flowers only grow if the environment is mild and the heat isn’t strong. In some areas, spekboom is used for fodder during droughts. Portulacaria afra. Also known as Elephant’s food/the Pork bush. To ensure the highest standards, SANA’s garden centre members form part of the Garden Centre Association which strives to continuously improve the quality of products, knowledge and customer service within garden centres. Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' (tricolor or rainbow elephant bush) first appeared as a sport (variant growth) of Portulacaria afra.It has cream-and-green leaves and pendant, trailing stems; and forms low, shrubby mounds that spread several feet tall and wide. EVERYTHING and ANYTHING about plants and gardening in South Africa. Portulacaria afra is a fairly hardy, small tree with succulent leaves and ruby red branches. Elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) is a semi-evergreen shrubby flowering succulent native to South Africa.In the wild, elephant bush grows in dry, sunny locations. Builders Warehouse Bloemfontein Gerdie Olivier – gerdie@sana.co.za, ©2020 Life is a Garden | Scientific name: Portulacaria afra Other Names: Spekboom, E lephant Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant, Porkbush Origin: Indigenous Position: Sun - Semi Shade Water Requirements: Low Hardiness: Frost Tender Flower Color: Pinkish White Flower Time: Su mmer Height: ±120cm, usually smaller Spread: ±100cm Other: Evergreen, Perennial The Spekboom or Porkbush is a very popular and useful garden … Builders Warehouse – Cape Gate Portulacaria is generally suited to all areas of SA but is not ideal in heavy frost areas. Semi Frost Hardy – Is Able to Survive Moderately Low Temperatures. Its roots are very adaptable and thrive in shallow bonsai containers. Late winter and spring bring a flash of tiny pink flowers to this plant. Portulacaria afra grows 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads indefinitely.Use it as a backdrop plant, and/or prune into a hedge. Keith Kirsten Waterfall – Midrand This site uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. Synonym: Portulacaria afra f. macrophylla, Botanical Pronunciation: por-tew-luh-KAR-ee-uh AF-ruh. Pretty Garden Tuinsentrum – Bloemfontein Builders Warehouse – Table View Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) Well-known for its unique carbon-absorbing properties, this indigenous succulent grows easily from cuttings. Spekboom (A) Isidondwane (Z) Igqwanitsha (X), Aloe arborescens (Krantz aloe, Candelabra aloe), Lonicera korolkowii var. Portulacaria afra is marvellous drought tolerant, a carbon sponge and an excellent soil binding plant to prevent soil erosion. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Description. Portulacaria afra “prostrata”, a fairly hardy, pretty, succulent groundcover is a variety of Portulacaria afra that can become a small tree. Builders Express – Knysna Builders Express – Jeffreys Bay They are simple to care for and make easy houseplants for a sunny location. Portulacaria afra (known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom) is a small-leaved succulent plant. Portulacaria afra is an easy going succulent that has an attractive growth habit, with small green succulent leaves on a red coloured stem. Sheds Part of Its Foliage During Winter/Autumn. All in all an easy to grow and very rewarding shrub! Scientific name: Portulacaria afra Synonyms: Spekboom, Bacon Tree, Pork Bush, Elephant’s Food, Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant. P. afra ‘Prostrata’ and ‘Green Carpet’ are both low growing and make an excellent ground cover in dry areas. Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra) is a succulent plant found in South Africa. Name: Elephant Bush Scientific Name: Portulacaria afra Family: didiereaceae. Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg Leaves are small, luscious and vibrant green in colour. This plant is indigenous to Southern Africa. Schaffler’s Nursery – Johannesburg, Starke Ayres Garden Centre – Rosebank These GCA garden centres can be identified by yellow and green GCA flags, present at garden centres and home stores, nationwide. Plants@Preller – Bloemfontein Is Able to Survive Moderately Low Temperatures. There are two sepals. However, it is the most preferable to remain a smaller plant growing only a few feet tall. Lifestyle Home Garden – Randburg Flower colour varies from pale pink to almost red or purplish. The stems are reddish-brown which contrast well against the green of the foliage. In some areas, spekboom is used for fodder during droughts. You can contact us on: Shahnee Stockigt – shahnee@lifeisagarden.co.za The flowers look like beautiful pink clusters of petals that grow around the elephant bush. Portulacaria afra is a succulent shrub with small rounded leaves and a contrasting red stem. Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' (Rainbow Bush) - A sprawling, slow growing succulent shrub with attractive reddish-brown stems and variegated cream and green ¾ inch long leaves. From October to Jananuary after rain, it is covered in clear pink to rosy mauve flowers. It has attractive round, glossy leaves on long arching succulent branches. It is an evergreen and performs best in a sunny position. Builders Express – Uitenhage Place the branches in a large vase indoors and they’ll absorb a multitude of pollutants. It has attractive round, glossy leaves on long arching succulent branches. The word afra is in reference to the fact that the plant occurs in Africa. A very easy to grow succulent that works as a great bonsai plant, hanging basket or even a hedge in frost free climates. Plant in well drained soil. Portulacaria afra flowers only when it is grown in the ground in conditions similar to its native habitat. From October to January, after rain, it is covered in clear pink to rosy mauve, nectar rich flowers - … Builders Express – Walmer In some areas, spekboom is used for fodder during droughts. Please feel free to contact us about anything related to gardening or our website. In cultivation it often remains a decorative small shrub with small round fleshy leaves carried on red stems. After rain it is covered in clear pink to rosy mauve flowers. The five-pointed star-shaped flower becomes about 5 mm in diameter. At first glance, Portulacaria afra can be difficult to … The fruit is a 3-winged papery capsule. Full Sun – Prefers 6 or more hours of sun per day. It is also known as the Elephant Bush, Jade Tree or Money Tree. We have been growing Portulacarias for almost 30 years and we have never seen 1 flower but have heard that they do flower in their country of origin (South Africa). Portulacaria Afra “Elephant Bush” is a ragged succulent bush having a place with the Didiereaceae family. 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