Our designer had free reign and tons of fun in creating these playful exterior décor pieces for a longstanding client of Kingfisher Landscaping.

He started off with designing mild steel Cubedec planters, which differed in sizes.  Our team of décor experts created these planters, which were powder coated in various vibrant colours and decorated with unique laser-cut slogans.  These planters were strategically placed in a corner of the garden, where they were planted with plump euphorbias and agaves, which enhanced the play with texture.

Next, our creative designer dreamed up the concept of Cubedec gabion retainer walls, which were powder coated and filled with an assortment of interesting objects, ranging from slate stones to oil lamps.

Our experienced and creative teams at Badec Bros Mosaic, in conjunction with our in-house exterior décor company, Badec Bros Deco manufactured this vibrant Cubedec mild steel bench with mosaic tiling and a faux lawn top.

The final touch to this inspiring revamp was the inclusion of mild steel balls, which were attached to round steel rods, and planted amongst the plants in the flower beds.  Once again, these features were powder coated in a plethora of bright colours.

Our team of dedicated professionals can design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner.  We can also provide the home owner with any exterior decorative feature.  We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service.  We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.

Linda Poultney ©

The trend-setting experts at Kingfisher Landscaping were approached to provide a breath of fresh air to this existing garden, which was originally installed by our professional team.  The clients’ brief to the resourceful landscaping designer was to add a couple of new features and spice it up a bit.  They also wanted to create more privacy in certain areas of their garden. 

Kingfisher Landscaping incorporated clean, straight lines into the hard and soft scaping elements, and added stylish art and décor pieces to the overall garden design.  We started this project by cleaning up the areas that needed to be revamped and then proceeded to construct raised, angular planting areas.  Each of these beds differs in height, which creates interesting levels.  Combined with the various textures – interesting plant palette, pebbles, screed blocks and sleepers – our innovative designer created an aesthetically pleasing exterior work of art.

We cast concrete screed blocks on site, which act as stepping stones and lead the garden ambler through this fascinating outdoor gallery.  Black pebbles were strewn around the steppers, to fill the area and add contrasting texture. 

This fascinating garden was specifically designed to incorporate and exhibit the clients’ impressive anthology of African art.  We also added a few artistic items – dogon ladders, a dogon bench, and authentic mill stones – to complement the client’s collection.  Our in-house décor company, Badec Bros Deco, manufactured wooden feature poles, as well as, solid mild steel screens and gorgeous trellis screens, which were finished in a rust effect.  The magnificent sculptures were brought to their full glory, by placing them on mild steel Cubedec pedestals – courtesy of Badec Bros Deco – which were also finished in a rust effect, to match the organic theme of the garden.

                                                                                                                                                           Where the boundary walls were not sufficient in providing privacy to certain parts of the garden, we brought in customized, mild steel screens.  These screens were placed in an overlapping manner, which creates privacy and adds to the artistic theme of the garden.  The same effect was achieved by grouping together wooden feature poles in another part of the garden, which was too exposed to the clients’ liking.

We used a limited amount of plant species in our palette, but chose these plants for their interesting textures.  Bromeliads (aechmea fasciata), desert spoons (dasylirion wheeleri), aloes “hedgehog”, bitter aloes (aloe ferox), carex green sedges, mother-in-law’s-tongues (sansevierias laurentii), candelabrum (euphorbia ingens) were all planted strategically around the garden.  The home owners also posses a lovely collection of cycads, which were moved and re-planted in order to best exhibit their beauty.

The aloes “hedgehog” were planted in neat rows in one rectangular raised bed, which was covered with rough sand to augment the use of texture.  The spiky desert spoons and plump candelabrum were planted against the boundary walls to soften the area.  Another angular planter was planted with lush mondo grass (ophiopogon japonicus), whilst yet another elevated planter was decorated with authentic mill stones and planted with dainty daisy lawn (phyla nodiflora).

The end-result is a beautifully renovated garden, which perfectly displays the individual art pieces and complements the attractive home, which it so effortlessly envelops.

 Whether it is landscaping, installations of Koi ponds, water features, wooden decking, garden illumination, swimming pools, irrigation or the inclusion of mosaics and garden décor in the garden – Kingfisher Landscaping will always define your exterior lifestyle in a stylish fashion.  For more information, visit the company’s detailed website.

The landscaping experts at Kingfisher Landscaping design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner and can provide the home owner with any exterior decorative feature.  We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service.  We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.

Linda Poultney ®

At the entrance to this magnificent garden, we built a sloping water feature, lined with chunky arrabella rock, which cascades into the Koi pond on the lowest level.  Next to the water feature, we constructed wooden decking steps from Seligna wood, which leads the visitor over the Koi pond and around the corner toward the main entertainment area of this modern home.  Lush, tropical bamboo palms, cycas revolutas, Dicksonia antarctica ferns and varigated grass were planted to frame the hard, neat lines of the deck and Koi pond, and to enhance the tropical theme of the garden.   

To enliven the dreary wall next to the garage in the drive-way, we designed and installed a vibrant mosaic, spread over three horizontal panels measuring 2 meters by 1,5 meters each.

We bordered the lawn with double cobble-edging and filled it with arrabella rock to define both the beds in the corners closest to the patio, as well as, the lawn area.  Seligna decking was installed to enlarge the entertainment area and the colour of the decking perfectly complements the wooden door and window frames of this elegant home.  By positioning bamboo palms in the corner beds, we provided height and alleviated the linear theme by planting dark green murraya exotica and yellow-leafed sheena’s gold shrubs.  We also installed garden lighting among the shrubs in the beds, and in the actual decking to illuminate this gorgeous garden at night. 

The entire swimming pool was edged in with Seligna decking, to create a tidy, compact appearance.  We also built an elongated Seligna flower box, which has a secondary purpose as a comfortable bench.  We filled it with verdant bamboo to soften the periphery of this part of the garden.  At the furthest end of this area, we once again bordered the lawn with linear double cobble-edging, filled with chunky arrabella rock  and planted bamboo palms for height and luxuriant murraya exotica and sheena’s gold shrubs to augment the over-all tropical effect. 

In this exquisite shaded back garden, we created an inviting seating area by constructing a Seligna pergola over the Seligna decking.  Rough-edged stepping stones, interlinked with lumpy arrabella rock extends this peaceful zone.  To augment the serene atmosphere we constructed a sandstone-clad water feature and placed a wooden bench close to the lush plant beds against the boundary wall.  Right against the wall we planted Viburnum shrubs, which will eventually grow to the same height as the boundary wall.  One will then be able to trim it into a profuse hedge.  Next we planted golden goddess arum lilies and varigated grasses.  In the 1m² planters, we planted brumeliads, which bring in a splash of colour with their red leaves.  Closer to the pergola, we planted a few more dicksonia antarctica ferns.

We wrapped the entire house with walkways.  At each door leading to the garden, we constructed a Seligna deck landing.  Walkways, laid out with double cobble-edging and filled with rough-edged sandstone stepping stones and interlinked with chunky arrabella rock leads the garden stroller from one deck landing to the next, right around the house. 

In this section of the garden, we built a sandstone-clad water feature with the stainless steel water spout mounted in the red-tiled feature wall.  The red tiles bring in a sparkle of colour to this green, tropical garden. 

Against the wall, we planted philledendron xanadu’s and proceeded with the planting of nandina pygmaea’s, varigated grass and mondo grass in straight modern lines, from the higher plants in the back to the lower plants in the front.  A solitary sandstone bench in the plant bed invites one to sit down and relax in the cool shade.  At night, the garden lights will illuminate this area beautifully.

We also installed the entire irrigation system for this garden, which will save the owners a lot of time in watering their garden.

Whether it is landscaping, installations of Koi ponds, water features, wooden decking, garden illumination, swimming pools, irrigation or the inclusion of mosaics in the garden – Kingfisher Landscaping will always define your exterior lifestyle in a stylish fashion.

The landscaping experts at Kingfisher Landscaping design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner and can provide the home owner with any exterior decorative feature.  We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service.  We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.

Yet another magnificent garden was created by the imaginative experts of Kingfisher Landscaping; employing copious quantities of indigenous plants and an advanced landscaping philosophy.  The garden envelops this spectacular home and flawlessly complements the fashionable architectural style. 

Kingfisher Landscaping utilized the spacing of the established trees to position the generous plant beds, which we planted with flowering indigenous plants, such as jaburan grass (ophiopogon jaburan vittatus), wild garlic (tulbaghia violacea), bulbines (bulbine frutescens), mountain aloe (aloe marlothii) and strelitzia (strelitzia reginae).  The beds were then bordered with cobble edging and arabella rock (sandstone dump rock).  Substantial lawn areas among the plant beds enhance the available space on this property and invite one to take a relaxing amble through the garden.

As you enter the property, a winding driveway escourts you to a salient water feature, with three spouts protruding from a steel gabion wall; allowing the water to flow into a raised, square trough below.  Papyrus (cyperus papyrus), wild garlic (tulbaghia violacea) and bulbines (bulbine frutescens) swathes the water feature in feathery profusion. 

Along one border line, Kingfisher Landscaping planted cape aloes (aloe ferox) in a bed of arabella rock, with a wall of mountain aloes (aloe marlothii) behind it.  Textured layers of varigated grasses (ophiopogon jaburan variegata), evergold carex grass (carex oshimensis), and cape thatching reed (chondropetalum tectorum) form a pleasing backdrop to this eye-catching area. 

Raised circular planters were constructed next to the swimming pool and planted with tree aloes (aloe bainesii), which act as striking feature plants.  A flourishing bed of jaburan grass (ophiopogon jaburan vittatus) was planted around the planters, to soften the austere quality of the hard landscaping in this zone. 

The end result is a picturesque landscape which serves as a tranquil refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday city living. 

Whether it is landscaping, installations of Koi ponds, water features, wooden decking, garden illumination, swimming pools, irrigation or the inclusion of mosaics in the garden – Kingfisher Landscaping will always define your exterior lifestyle in a stylish fashion.  

The landscaping experts at Kingfisher Landscaping design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner and can provide the home owner with any exterior decorative feature.  We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service.  We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.

The ingenious specialists of Kingfisher Landscaping created this slick garden, reminiscent of a London apartment garden.  This stylish home is enclosed by the ethereal garden, which harmonizes perfectly with the fashionable architectural style. 

Kingfisher Landscaping utilized the beautiful established oak tree as a prominent feature, around which the rest of the garden was arranged.  Our experienced team of landscapers constructed an unpretentious square concrete water feature, which enhances the overall tranquil mood of this exterior refuge and surrounded it with variegated abelias (abelia grandiflora).  Neat concrete screed slabs, which were cast on site, function as both neat pathways, as well as clean, linear rows, which comprise the hardscaping features in this garden design.  All of the cement features were finished in an aged concrete look. 

Lush beds of sweet-smelling lavender were planted to soften the yellow walls.  Dwarf eugenias (syzygium paniculatum) were planted in gabion plant cages to act as points of focal interest on the perimeter of the garden.  The professional landscaping team also planted dwarf buxus into square pots and common orange jasmines (murraya exotica), which bear white, perfumed flowers, in linear plant beds.  Topiaried Indian laurel fig trees (ficus nitida) were planted against the boundary wall to grow into a dense top-hedge. 

 A neat balau wooden deck, with an aged appearance, was constructed around the swimming pool by the Kingfisher Landscaping connoisseurs.  Finally, we planted all seasons evergreen instant lawn, which will flourish in the ample shade cast by the giant old oak tree.

The end result is a serene landscape in which the homeowners can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday city living.

Whether it is landscaping, installations of Koi ponds, water features, wooden decking, garden illumination, swimming pools, irrigation or the inclusion of mosaics in the garden – Kingfisher Landscaping will always define your exterior lifestyle in a stylish fashion. 

The landscaping experts at Kingfisher Landscaping design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner and can provide the home owner with any exterior decorative feature.  We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service.  We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.

The Working for Water programme – introduced through the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry – is a staunch fighter against alien invasive plants in South Africa.  It is estimated that around 10% of our country is covered with approximately 9000 species of alien invasive plants, which steal water, nutrients and sunlight from our native flora.

The Working for Water programme was initiated in 1995 and has since then cleared out more than a million hectares of alien invasive plants.  It works in conjunction with the Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, and Environmental Affairs and Tourism, as well as, local governments and communities.  Around 20 000 people are trained and provided with jobs every year, due to the Working for Water programme.

This programme uses four methods of clearing and controlling areas which have been invaded by alien plants, namely mechanical (felling, burning and removing), chemical (environmentally safe herbicides), biological (species-specific diseases and insects), and integrated methods, which combines all of the above.

You can do your share of working for water in your own garden, by planting only indigenous gardens and by employing environmentally friendly measures in dealing with pests and diseases on your plants. 

A water wise garden consists of plants that do not require a lot of watering.  These plants are normally indigenous plants, which can survive on rainfall and do not need additional watering.  Succulents are also very water wise plants and look beautiful when planted in masses. 

Hard landscaping features, such as sculptures, trellises, wooden decking, cobble lines, stepping stones, cement screed blocks, feature walls, garden benches and other exterior décor will decorate your garden and requires no water.  Different textures will add dimension to the garden lay-out.

By reducing your lawn area, you will also save on water.  Mulching – layering bark chips, hay, pebbles or grass cuttings – will keep the soil around your plants moist for longer periods and therefore require less watering.

When you have a drip-irrigation system installed, you will also save water.  You can set your irrigation system to water the garden at certain times of the day, such as early morning, when the sun will not just evaporate all the water.

Even weeding regularly will make your garden water wise, as all these unnecessary plants also use a lot of water. 

By using organic fertilizers in your garden, you will be applying responsible measures to ensure that your plants are healthy and grow to their best potential.  You will also be contributing to the fight against soil and water table contamination. 

Organic fertilizers, for instance raise the nutrient content in your garden soil, which feeds your plants and assists the roots of your plants in getting optimal nutrition from the soil.  The three most important nutrients needed by your plants are phosphor, potassium and nitrogen.

Another advantage of using organic fertilizers is that it enhances your soil composition and improves water retention, which in turn does its part in combating drought.

By using organic pesticides in your garden, you will be applying responsible measures to ensure that garden animals, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians will not suffer poisoning. You will also not harm your pets and you will be contributing to the prevention of soil and water table contamination. 

The landscaping experts at Kingfisher Landscaping design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner and can provide the home owner with any exterior decorative feature.  We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service.  We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.

The monkey thorn (acacia galpinii) has been appointed as one of the trees of the year for 2009, by the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs.

This fast growing tree – with its lush, light green foliage – can grow up to 36 meters in height and has a wide, spreading crown.  It is a deciduous tree, which means that it loses its leaves during winter.  During spring, this lovely tree carries light yellow flowers and maroon-coloured seed pods during late summer and autumn.  The monkey thorn is ideal for large gardens and can be planted in your lawn – or along the edges of your lawn – as it provides mottled shade, which will allow enough sunlight through to the grass blades.

This indigenous tree is quite hardy and can survive in hot and dry weather conditions, as well as, frost to some degree.  Saplings should be properly protected from frost, however.  It also attracts insects, such as bees and wasps, and will also provide shelter for birds in your garden.

The landscaping experts at Kingfisher Landscaping design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner and can provide the home owner with any exterior decorative feature.  We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service.  We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.

We are all constantly waging war against weeds in our gardens…in our garden beds, in our paving, in our lawn…

This war increases in intensity during spring and summer.

Weeds are in direct competition with your plants for water, sunlight and soil nutrients. 

As with most things in life, prevention is better than cure.  In order to discourage the growth of weeds in your flower beds or between you paving, stepping stones and gravel strips, you should lay down sheets of weed guard (biddum cloth) before planting and before laying out your pavers or gravel.  This helpful product is available at most garden centres.

When you lay down weed guard in your garden beds, you can cut out holes for where you would like to plant your seedlings or other plants.  Then you can cover the area with mulch or decorative stone.

Preparing your soil properly before planting will also reduce the risk of weed infestations.  Till the soil properly and pick out all weeds, root systems and seeds that you can see.  Mix in a healthy blend of fertilizer and compost; making sure that it is a reputable product and will not introduce more weeds to your soil. 

To get rid of weeds, you will need to loosen the soil and pull the weeds out roots and all.  Ideally you should do so before the weeds have had the chance to produce seeds.  This process can be somewhat time-consuming and arduous, but if you look at it in a positive light, it will be great to be working outdoors with your hands.  You can even work on you suntan – provided you are wearing a hat and sunscreen. 

Finally, applying layers of mulch is also a good anti-weeding measure.  As we have informed you before, mulching has many benefits for your garden, such as retaining water and protecting the roots of your plants.

The landscaping experts at Kingfisher Landscaping design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner and can provide the home owner with any exterior decorative feature.  We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service.  We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.

Pets and gardening do not always go hand-in-hand.  Some believe it impossible to harmonize your dogs or cats and your garden, and that you have to choose between having a pet and having a garden.  This is not necessarily true.  It is very possible to synchronize the two.

When you have your garden lay-out designed, keep your pets in mind.  For instance; ensure that you have high enough walls or fencing – with no large gaps – around your property to prevent your dog from pulling a Houdini on you.  Dogs love patrolling the perimeter of their territory – your garden – so make sure that you do not plant sensitive or valuable plants along the borders of your garden.  You can either lay down a strip of paving, gravel, pebbles or stepping stones or you can plant a topiary top-hedge to soften the wall, which will be out of reach of padding paws.  You can also plant creepers against your wall, which will give you more privacy and soften your borders.

A chief reason for dogs digging up a garden is boredom.  Make sure your dogs get plenty of stimulating exercise and that they have a wide selection of toys around the garden to keep them occupied.

When you lay out and plant your flower beds, you can either construct raised flower beds, or create borders around your beds, using decorative wooden fencing, which will dissuade your pets from having a romp among the roses…You can also lay down a layer of hard mulch, to discourage your pets from exploring the plant beds, depending on the type of plants you plant in your flower beds.  Hard mulch includes gravel and chunky quartzite rock, which is also decorative.

You can guarantee your pets’ health and happiness by planting non-toxic plants; using organic pest repellent and creating areas where they will have access to both sunny and shady spots.  Try to leave as much space as possible for them to run around in, without risking getting up to mischief.

 When you plant delicate seedlings, you need to be extra careful about getting them demolished by exploring dog paws.  You can either demarcate the area for a while, until the seedlings have had a running start, or you can apply a very effective home remedy…

This remedy consists of dry flour, mustard powder and cayenne pepper.  All you need to do is add equal parts of these three ingredients together and sifting the deterrent around your seedlings.  You will need to re-apply your concoction after you have had rain or very windy weather.

Finally, you should also keep in mind the type of lawn you have planted in your garden.  Some dogs are allergic to kikuyu lawn.  Evergreen lawn might yellow in spots where your female dog urinates.  In our opinion, LM lawn would be your best bet.

If you do not really want or need your dog in a specific part of your garden, you can create a partition, using a fence or even a decorative gabion wall to keep your moggies out.  Then you will be able to create a delicate garden, without having to worry about your canines causing havoc among the daisies…

The landscaping experts at Kingfisher Landscaping design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner and can provide the home owner with any exterior decorative feature.  We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service.  We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.

Spring is the season of regeneration.  You can get the best out of your garden by doing the following during this invigorating time of year.

First of all you should prune all the plants in your garden that have suffered frost damage.  This will promote new growth.

Remove dead leaves and branches from your plants and trees to stimulate growth.

You should divide your perennial plants in order to multiply them and fill your garden beds with more lush growth.

Apply mulch to your plant beds and feed your plants and lawn with fertilizer and compost.

Have your irrigation system checked out and maintained.

You can start to water your lawn and garden more regularly again – two or three times per week.

You can also plant bulbs, which flower in summer, such as arum lilies (zantedeschia species), sword lilies (gladiolus species), and dahlias.  Sow flower seeds and plant seedlings to add vibrant splashes of colour to your garden.

Once your spring flowering plants have finished blooming, you can prune them back to ensure strong growth during the next spring period.

Finally, you should check all of your plants for diseases and treat them accordingly.

The landscaping experts at Kingfisher Landscaping design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner and can provide the home owner with any exterior decorative feature.  We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service.  We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.