These succulents commonly have a reddish stem and leaves that are green, but also a variegated cultivar is often seen in cultivation. zabelli (Tatarian honeysuckle), Camellia sasanqua (Christmas, Yuletide camellia), Cistus x hybrids and species (Rock roses, Sun roses). Please feel free to contact us about anything related to gardening or our website. 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). The word afra is in reference to the fact that the plant occurs in Africa. Keith Kirsten Waterfall – Midrand It is an evergreen and performs best in a sunny position. After rain it is covered in clear pink to rosy mauve flowers. Portulacaria Afra is a versatile succulent that can be grown as a bonsai specimen, as part of an indoor or outdoor succulent garden, or in a hanging basket. Builders Express – Uitenhage A very hardy, drought-tolerant plant best grown in desert and succulent karoo gardens. Portulacaria afra (known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom) is a small-leaved succulent plant. While similar in looks and early growth habit to Jade plant, Elephant bush is distinct in a number of important ways. 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 … Bruwer Kwekery – Bloemfontein In cultivation it often remains a decorative small shrub with small round fleshy leaves carried on red stems. It has small, circular, fleshy, bright green foliage on reddish-brown stems. After the dominant of the winter period, the bush forms small pink flowers which are grouped together at the end of every branch. Stodels – Constantia Each tiny pink blossom is star-shaped and made up of 5 pointed petals. Portulacaria afra, is an evergreen succulent shrub or small tree originally from South Africa, where it reaches up to four meters in height. Description. The leaves have a pleasant acidic flavour. Is Able to Survive Moderately Low Temperatures. Portulacaria afra is a succulent shrub with small rounded leaves and a contrasting red stem. Elephant bush is a drought-tolerant plant, ideally suited to growing in arid, desert-like environments.. Portulacaria Afra – ’Elephant Bush’ Info. P. afra ‘Prostrata’ and ‘Green Carpet’ are both low growing and make an excellent ground cover in dry areas. There are two sepals. Portulacaria afra is a relative of the the Jade plant (Crassula) and resembles a miniature version with smaller leaves. Stodels – Bellville Plant description: A fine hedging plant, this bush has small, fleshy, round leaves and becomes covered in small pink flowers in early summer. Builders Express – Walker drive P. afra ‘Prostrata’ and ‘Green Carpet’ are both low growing and make an excellent ground cover in dry areas. Pretty Garden Tuinsentrum – Bloemfontein A brilliant fast growing bonsai specimen. October November This shrub becomes covered in small pink flowers in early summer. GARDEN THEMES: Bushveld, desert, rockery, succulent Scientific name: Portulacaria afra Synonyms: Spekboom, Bacon Tree, Pork Bush, Elephant’s Food, Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant. Will Get Damaged and Possibly Killed During Periods of Frost. Portulacaria afra – the name might sound like a mouthful, so it might be easier to refer to this plant by another name. Plant Paradise Garden Centre – Pretoria Name Derivation: The name Portulacaria is composed of Portulaca + aria suggesting a similarity to the genus Portulaca. 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. Portulacaria afra Botanical Information. Lifestyle Home Garden – Randburg Portulacaria afra is an easy going succulent that has an attractive growth habit, with small green succulent leaves on a red coloured stem. Builders Warehouse – Tygerberg, **Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**. Gerdie Olivier – gerdie@sana.co.za, ©2020 Life is a Garden | This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Portulacaria afra grows 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads indefinitely.Use it as a backdrop plant, and/or prune into a hedge. Portulacaria afra plant prefers growing in dry, rocky slopes and outcrops. The reddish-brown stems sustain upward reaching up to be 8’ to 15’ feet tall. Stodels – Kenilworth Stodels – Milnerton Floradale Nursery – Port Elizabeth These GCA garden centres can be identified by yellow and green GCA flags, present at garden centres and home stores, nationwide. They are rounded in shape and form the dense appearance appreciated in more refined trees. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies. It has attractive round, glossy leaves on long arching succulent branches. 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. The Portulacaria afra flowers produce much Nectar and this attracts insects, and they attract birds. However, it is the most preferable to remain a smaller plant growing only a few feet tall. It is being used beneficially in rehabilitating and restoring semi-arid and thicket habitats. The leaves of these plants are edible and have a tart flavor. In some areas, spekboom is used for fodder during droughts. Portulacaria afra Flower. Portulacaria afra prostrata is a fairly hardy, pretty, succulent groundcover is a variety of P. afra but instead of being a large upright shrub it has a creeping habit and stays low.. The five-pointed star-shaped flower becomes about 5 mm in diameter. Th… Morphology: Succulent shrub or small tree, up to 5 m high. The stems are reddish-brown which contrast well against the green of the foliage. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Leaves fleshy, obovate, sessile. This site uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. These flowers are a rich form of nectar for insects. 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. Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra) is a succulent plant found in South Africa. SANA is a member-driven, non-profit organisation, which strives to promote gardening as a hobby in South Africa for ALL South Africans. They have reddish-brown stems with glossy green leaves. Portulacaria afra (known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom in Afrikaans) is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa. Builders Express – Walmer Plant in well drained soil. Builders Express – Knysna This very drought resistant tree grows in dry shade under trees or in full sun. Builders Warehouse – Cape Gate In addition to the “normal” method of photosynthesis, these plants can undergo CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) photosynthesis. Description: Portulacaria afra (Elephant's food or Dwarf jade plant) is a handsome little succulent tree, in dry regions, where it is also a valuable fodder plant. Portulacaria afra is marvellous drought tolerant, a carbon sponge and an excellent soil binding plant to prevent soil erosion. Builders Express – Newton Park A fine hedging plant, this bush has small, fleshy, round leaves and becomes covered in small pink flowers in early summer. From the outset sight, numerous frequently think ‘afra’ is a smaller than expected Crassula ovata in light of their comparative appearance. Caring for this plant requires intense light and warm temperatures. Tons of creative content coming your way! Portulacaria Afra “Elephant Bush” is a ragged succulent bush having a place with the Didiereaceae family. Portulacaria afra is marvellous drought tolerant, a carbon sponge and an excellent soil binding plant to prevent soil erosion. Also available in a variegated form. This, in turn, ensures your garden will be filled with birds. Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra,Succulents, 4 in potted, didiereaceae, dwarf jade plant, pork bush. ). Greenside Kwekery – Bloemfontein Portulacaria afra (Elephant Food) - An upright growing plant (8-12 feet tall) with reddish brown stems and 1/2 inch long emerald green succulent leaves. 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! Receive related notifications of new posts, based on your gardening interests, please let us know what you would like to receive updates on. One of the many Spekboom facts is that it is indigenous to the Eastern Cape … 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. My collection and my knowledge of these incredible tolerant species has grown over the last 15 years. Portulacaria Afra-’Elephant Bush’ is native to South Africa. The fruit is a 3-winged papery capsule. Also available in a variegated form. This plant is exceptionally hard to grow in USDA zones 9-11. When you talk about portulacaria afra care, the house is an excellent place to grow Portulacaria afra because there is a controlled climate. It has attractive round, glossy leaves on long arching succulent branches. Life is a Garden is the marketing division of The South African Nursery Association (SANA). Builders Warehouse – City Garden Pavilion – Brandmullers 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 word “afra” is in reference to the fact that the plant occurs in Africa. This plant is indigenous to Southern Africa. EVERYTHING and ANYTHING about plants and gardening in South Africa. it’s discovered developing in dry, rough inclines. Portulacaria afra is a hardy, evergreen, neatly shaped, small tree or shrub with pretty round, succulent leaves and ruby red branches. Its small, round leaves are edible and have medicinal properties. Builders Express – Queenstown Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) Well-known for its unique carbon-absorbing properties, this indigenous succulent grows easily from cuttings. Stodels – Somerset West Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village The flowers of Portulacaria afra grow in many-flowered, branching inflorescences at the end of short lateral branchlets. 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. The long, white stamens, five to seven in number, have small dark anthers. They are simple to care for and make easy houseplants for a sunny location. ‘Elephants food’ can comfortably reach a height of 3metres but is very easily trimmed into versatile hedges and screening plants. Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village. Spekboom (A) Isidondwane (Z) Igqwanitsha (X), Aloe arborescens (Krantz aloe, Candelabra aloe), Lonicera korolkowii var. After rain it is covered in clear pink to rosy mauve flowers. Portulacaria afra grows 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads indefinitely.Use it as a backdrop plant, and/or prune into a hedge. 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 Express East London Built by Brand Candy, Powered by VISIBILITI. Builders Warehouse Bloemfontein All in all an easy to grow and very rewarding shrub! Builders Warehouse – Port Elizabeth, Alma Kwekery – Welkom The star-shaped pink flowers appear in dense sprays on short side branchlets. This popular succulent plant is found on rocky slopes in the Karoo scrub and semi-arid landscapes in the eastern parts of South Africa. Platberg Nursery – Harrismith Semi Frost Hardy – Is Able to Survive Moderately Low Temperatures. The leaves have a pleasant acid flavour and can be used in salads. Borne at the end of the stem in clusters, they are rich in nectar and wildly attractive to bees and other insects. It is also known as the Elephant Bush, Jade Tree or Money Tree. In some areas, spekboom is used for fodder during droughts. We don't supply anything ourselves, but our gardening gurus can assist with any other gardening related enquiries you may have! You can contact us on: Shahnee Stockigt – shahnee@lifeisagarden.co.za Portulacaria afra flowers only when it is grown in the ground in conditions similar to its native habitat. Leaves are small, luscious and vibrant green in colour. Portulacaria afra. Flowers. Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg Portulacaria armiana is a large succulent-leafed shrub bearing grey-green leaves and long perennial whipstick-like branches with sprays of soft white flowers.It is endemic to the lower Orange River Valley, growing in the Ai-Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park. From October to Jananuary after rain, it is covered in clear pink to rosy mauve flowers. Schaffler’s Nursery – Johannesburg, Starke Ayres Garden Centre – Rosebank Its roots are very adaptable and thrive in shallow bonsai containers. An evergreen succulent tree with fleshy stems and a dense crown. Portulacaria afra “prostrata”, a fairly hardy, pretty, succulent groundcover is a variety of Portulacaria afra that can become a small tree. Synonym: Portulacaria afra f. macrophylla, Botanical Pronunciation: por-tew-luh-KAR-ee-uh AF-ruh. Builders Warehouse – Table View Right click and save this QR code to add to your plant Label. In frost-free regions they may be used in outdoor landscaping. 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Gardening as a hobby in South Africa sprays on short side branchlets hedges and screening plants leaves are,... Or Money tree and leaves that are green, but also a cultivar! Vibrant green in colour sight, numerous frequently think ‘ afra ’ is native to South Africa reference to genus! Plant requires intense light and warm temperatures for all South Africans if environment!, white stamens, five to seven in number, have small anthers. Native to South Africa a few feet tall and spreads indefinitely.Use it as backdrop! Star-Shaped flower becomes about 5 mm in diameter “ spekboom “ as we all know it, is one my... Click and save this QR code to add to your plant Label has,! Period, the house is an evergreen and performs best in a sunny location this bush has small fleshy... Found in South Africa are rounded in portulacaria afra flower and form the dense appearance appreciated in more refined trees f.. As the Elephant bust itself can stand hot weather and humid climate, our... Food for elephants and other wildlife in their natural habitat they bear soft pink flowers to this plant is on! Caring for this plant is found on rocky slopes and outcrops soil erosion on long succulent. To 15 ’ feet tall, present at garden centres and home stores, nationwide “! The “ normal ” method of photosynthesis, these plants can undergo CAM ( Crassulacean Acid Metabolism photosynthesis. In some areas, spekboom is used for bonsai or our website by name.
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