Appropriate drainage in a garden is of utmost importance; otherwise you will end up with muddy areas in your garden, rotting plants or even worse, damaged house and wall foundations.

Soil types, such as clay soil, will certainly cause drainage problems in your garden, as it tends to retain water.  A shallow water table on your property will also create drainage problems.  You can check for poor drainage on your property by looking out for wet patches or puddles of water on the ground.  

The first technique you can use to improve the drainage in your garden, entails removing the first 15cm of topsoil and replacing it with more soluble soil.

Another technique which can be used – and which is not as intensive – is to create different levels in your garden area.  You can either arrange a slightly sloped ground level in your garden, or you can shape your garden areas in such a way, as to create channels to carry the excess water away.

A third technique involves installing a French drain.  This entails creating a type of underground sieve, by digging a trench and filling it with loose debris, like excess building materials or pebbles.  This sieve should be covered by a strong steel grid and a layer of top soil of about 15cm thick.  The ideal place to create this sieve would be at the lowest part of the garden, where most of the water gathers.

You can also utilize a poorly drained area by having your landscaper design and create a large pond. 

Should you wish to have your very own Kingfisher garden, you can contact our office on (012) 460 7990 or send us an e-mail to edrich@badecbros.com and we will send one of our highly experienced and innovative landscaping designers out to create a unique garden design, tailored to your specific needs.  You will also be provided with a free, no-obligation quotation.

Our team of dedicated professionals has been designing and implementing exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner for the past 12 years.  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 ©

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 superlative landscaping experts from Kingfisher Landscaping created this phenomenal garden, reflecting a contemporary minimalist style. At the front door of this beautiful home, the landscapers constructed a unique water feature by placing three steel tubes into a square concrete basin. This feature was strategically built in a circle of lush, green jaburans, which create an interesting contrast against the clean look the rest of the garden displays. Three Mosaic circles placed against the wall perfectly complement the silver colour of the steel tubes, and playfully reflect the natural light. In the front garden, the experts from Badec Bros Mosaic created the phenomenal mosaic mural. The circular mirrors in this work of art reflect the circular shapes of the three mosaic features that are placed against the front door, as well as the steel tubes of the water feature. Two beautiful, well-established aloe bainesii were planted as feature plants to flank the mosaic mural. The circle of jaburans was hemmed in by a double cobble line, filled with arrabella rock, creating an interesting effect.

The Kingfisher team went on to construct a seligna wooden deck around the swimming pool, and laid down a matching footpath consisting of seligna stepping blocks leading towards the Koi pond. Four feature walls were built at the bottom of the deck and painted in a bright red to act as a distinctive water feature. Luxuriant bamboo was planted behind these walls to create a soft and contrasting backdrop. Cobbles and gabion baskets filled with arrabella rock were used to create neat borders and provide the garden with interesting lines. The experts planted plump grey rock roses next to the path leading towards the Koi pond to add some appealing texture to this exquisite garden.

The walkway, layered with seligna stepping blocks and over-shadowed by bright red steel hoops, leads one from the pool area to the Koi pond and the rest of the garden. In the background, the team constructed two more feature walls and tiled them with red mosaics. This feature mirrors the bright red walls of the water feature at the swimming pool.

In the foreground, the Kingfisher landscaping experts created a large, circular dry bed that perfectly complements the abstract theme this garden holds. Tiling the boundary wall with mirror mosaic tiles, this look fashions a strong contrast to the plump, prickly succulents such as the euphorbias, golden barrels and aloes planted in the dry bed. In the background, a triangular Koi pond was built and tiled with mirror mosaic tiles, falling in sync with the overall theme of the garden, and above the pond the team constructed an interestingly shaped wooden deck as a relaxing seating area.

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 Kingfisher Landscaping specialists created yet another striking indigenous garden, which flawlessly harmonizes with the pastoral theme of this contemporary farmstead.

 To enhance the eye-catching entrance to this charming home, we had our in-house steel décor factory, Badec Bros Deco, manufacture steel gabion columns, which we planted with syzigium trees.  Yellow abelias were planted around the columns to break the rigid aspect of the steel and the rock wall.  These plants will grow into a lush border.

The trough-like water feature makes one expect the resident cows on this exclusive estate to arrive for a drink of water at any moment.  Clean lines and layers were incorporated into the entire garden, to fuse with the style of the architecture.  Once again Kingfisher planted abelias in the bed against the boundary wall to fill out the bed with leafy splendour.  Syzigium multi-pops were used as feature plants.  Sizeable celtis africana and olea africana trees were planted to add height and a sense of establishment to the bottom of the garden, which overlooks a verdant maize field.

Badec Bros Deco produced curving steel arches for the area leading to the main garden.  Kingfisher built the brick columns into which the arches were fixed and planted jasmine creepers, which will transform these exposed bows into a blossoming passage fit for a fairy tale.  To add texture to this area, the Kingfisher Landscaping professionals planted a row of viburnums against the walls, with a row of abelias in front.  These two species of plants will grow into dense hedges and can be trimmed to one’s liking.  Stepping stones, interlinked with dwarf mondo grass, make for intricate ground cover.

Kingfisher Landscaping provides outstanding workmanship and expert implementation of landscaping design, irrigation, water feature design and wooden decking installation, as well as, garden illumination, trendy exterior steel dècor and striking mosaic and Koi ponds.

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.

By planting herbs, shrubs, creepers and trees in your garden that exude heady aromas – by means of essential oils – you will enhance the dimensionality of your garden.  Perfumed plants emanate aroma via their flowers, leaves, wood, bark or fruit.

Shrubs, such as lavenders, abelias, buddleias, azaleas and gardenias are perfect fragrant plants to incorporate into your overall garden layout. 

Fragrant creepers include star jasmine (jasminum multiflorum) and most other jasmine species, Rosa species, such as rambling roses, Wisteria species, and Chilean jasmine (mandevilla laxa).

The indigenous white gardenia (gardenia thunbergia) and September bells (rothmannia globosa) are perfect fragranced garden plants to add to your garden.

Indigenous trees, which radiate heady scents, include the monkey thorn (acacia galpinii), camel thorn (acacia erioloba), fever tree (acacia xanthoploea) and the sweet thorn (acacia karroo).

Most scented plants prefer direct sun in hot and dry weather, with good drainage.

Just keep in mind that you should try your utmost to select indigenous plants, and that you need to consider the toxicity of plants, if you have children or pets.

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 black wattle tree is a dangerous alien invader.  It is an evergreen tree and can grow up to 30 meters in height.

These intruders were introduced into South Africa between 1858 and 1864.  it is not sure whether the first black wattle trees were planted in the Cape Town Botanical Gardens (1858) as decorative trees or in the present-day KwaZulu-Natal near Camperdown (1864) as commercial trees. 

Due to its high tannin content (around 30%), the black wattle was planted commercially to be used in tanning leather.  The wood was also used for firewood, building materials and as wood chips.

Unfortunately these exotic trees – native to South-East Australia – have started growing profusely outside commercial plantations, along water courses and roads.  They tend to grow in dense copses, especially after a fire has passed through the area.  Because these trees were planted outside of their natural habitat, they do not have to contend with their natural enemies, which control their numbers.  These trees steal water, nutrients and light from our indigenous plants and trees, and therefore replace our native flora.  Especially our fynbos areas are threatened by the black wattle.

The black wattle has been declared an invader plant throughout South Africa, except in areas where they are commercially planted.    These commercially planted trees should be monitored, however, and be prevented from spreading out of the plantations.

Black wattles reproduce by their seeds, which can remain dormant, yet fertile, for a period of 50 to 80 years.  These seeds do not germinate immediately, and can gather quite thickly under the trees.  Should a wild fire spread through the trees, all of the seeds will germinate simultaneously, which causes an even bigger problem.

These trees also re-sprout rather heartily, adding to the level of difficulty in getting rid of them.  Should you fell a wattle tree, you must ensure that you treat the stump with a herbicide, to prevent it from re-sprouting.  As these trees normally flourish along water courses, you need to ensure that you use a registered herbicide and definitely steer clear of diesel-based products, as this will contaminate the water course.

If the trees are still young – seedlings and saplings – you can pull them out by hand, when the soil is wet.  However, if there are very many of them, it is best to use chemical control measures, as extreme soil disturbance will also promote the germination of seeds.

The bottom line is that you should never plant a black wattle in your garden and you should do your share in terminating these plants responsibly to enhance the growth of our indigenous flora.

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.

You should carefully consider the selection of plants for your garden, in order to ensure that you do not plant invasive alien plants. These are plants that are not indigenous to South Africa. They tend to grow faster than our indigenous plants and can easily take over. They also take up precious water, nutrients and light which is more needed by our native plants.

Many of us have invasive exotic plants in our gardens, such as lantana, pipe grass, cat’s claw creepers, privets (ligustrum robustum privet), water hyacinths and wattle, jacaranda, pine and seringa trees. Rather opt for indigenous plants in your garden.

Indigenous gardens are not only less expensive, water wise, hardy and proudly South African, but also very versatile. You have thousands of indigenous plants to choose from, which means you can design your garden in a variety of styles, ranging from tropical to bushveld. Another advantage to indigenous gardens is that you will attract birds, insects and animals to your garden; creating your very own ecosystem in your backyard. You will also be contributing to the preservation of our indigenous plants.

Typical indigenous plants that we use include tree aloes, cape aloes, marlothii aloes, honey suckle, clivias, agapanthus, arum lilies, bulbines, wild garlic, acacia trees, olive trees, white stinkwood trees, and indigenous grasses, such as three awn grasses, thatching grass, buffalo grass, broad-leaved turpentine grass, bristle grass, Natal red top grass, red grass and fountain grass.

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 use of hedges in your garden has numerous advantages.  They can be used to create privacy in your garden; as dividers to create different areas in your garden; to muffle noise and act as a windbreak; to create mazes; to attract birds and butterflies to your garden; to hide ugly walls; to improve your security around your home and garden; and to act as a green background for other plants in your garden.  Hedge plants are relatively cheap and low-maintenance.

The maintenance required once you have planted your hedge plants, involves pruning when the plants are still small.  This will encourage the plant to grow dense.  You also need to pinch the tips, while the plants are still actively growing to promote the growth of side shoots.

If you want to plant a hedge for security – along your border walls – you can use a paper flower bougainvillea (bougainvillea glabra), num-num (carissa bispinosa) or natal plum (carissa macrocarpa).

Other plants that can be used as security measures include aloes, cacti, agaves, and any other plant that has thorns.

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.

Ultimately the design and type of plants selected depend on the architectural style of the home and the home owners’ preferences.