This delightful garden was created by the trendsetting experts of Kingfisher Landscaping. The client’s brief to the resourceful landscape designer was to revamp the old, existing garden and give it a modern twist. Kingfisher Landscaping did just that by incorporating clean, flowing lines into the hard and soft scaping elements, and adding stylish décor pieces to the overall garden design.

In the front garden, the Kingfisher Landscaping specialists constructed a monolithic water feature, which oozes relaxation. Textured layers of cobble edging, concrete screed slabs and charcoal coloured pebbles around the water feature contrast pleasantly with lush, decorative rushes (juncus fine) and sedges (carex testacea) which were planted to softly frame this part of the garden.  All of the cement features were finished in an aged concrete effect.

The in-house sculptor of Kingfisher Landscaping carved a group of abstract humanoid sculptures from Free State sandstone. These beautiful figures were displayed on a concrete plinth, behind the water feature, with a wooden screen – created from balau wood – serving as a perfect background to this aesthetically pleasing area. Young silver birch trees were also incorporated and will soon grow into veritable focal features and casters of shade.  Existing heavenly bamboo (nandina domestica) were transplanted against the boundary walls, to grow into a natural border.

Just to the right of the front door, the Kingfisher Landscaping experts erected three Cubedec steel screens, with a rusted finish and planted a tree aloe (aloe bainesii) in front of each screen. These stunning décor pieces were manufactured in their in-house décor factory. A lush bed of sweet flag grasses (acorus graminues “Golden Pheasant) swathes these features, with luxuriant rushes (juncus fine) bordering the raised planter.

The back garden was transformed into an inviting and contemporary entertainment area by the Kingfisher Landscaping connoisseurs. Their internal wooden decking team installed a curvaceous balau wooden deck around the swimming pool, and sealed the wood with a mahogany coloured finish. Furthermore, they constructed a large and welcoming braai pit, with raised, circular concrete seating around it. Young yellowwood trees (podocarpus latifolius) were planted strategically, ensuring ample shade for this lovely area in the future.

The renovated garden perfectly 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 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.

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.

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.

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 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 be very wary about the types of trees you plant in your garden, especially when you plan on planting trees near walls or paved areas.  Some trees have very aggressive root systems, which will push over walls and lift paving.  These root systems can also damage water and sewage pipes.

Well-known trees with aggressive root systems include karees, white stinkwoods and all of the ficus species.  Should you really be set on planting these trees in your garden, you should plant them as far away from any walls, paving and pipes as you possibly can.

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.

What do birds require to not only survive, but thrive?  Once you have determined that, you can start by providing for these needs and attracting birds to your garden.

Just like us, birds need food, water and shelter.

Different birds require different types of food, such as seeds, fruit or insects and also have various needs for shelter, depending on their habitat preferences.

You can start by setting up a bird feeding tray in your garden.  Make sure that you can view this bird restaurant from your favourite spot in the house or garden.  Ensure that the birds will be safe from your dogs or cats, while they are occupied with feeding.

Secondly, you can install a bird bath, which will both provide water to drink and to bath in.  It would be best to place the bird bath close to the feeding tray.

Finally, you can attract birds by planting indigenous plants in your garden.  Some birds, such as weavers, hadedas, and barbets love large trees.  Robin chats and thrushes love dense bushes.  And mousebirds, touracos (louries) and barbets love fruit-bearing trees.

Guarantee your feathered visitors’ safety, by keeping an eye on your cats and dogs.  If you can not train them to leave your guests alone, put the feeder and bird bath in a part of the garden where your pets can not reach.  It is also a good idea to put the feeder and bird bath in an area where the birds will have a good vantage point.  This will afford them with a chance to flee if Felix or Fido is on the prowl!

You should also make sure that you do not use any pest control that will be harmful to birds.  Stick to non-toxic and organic methods of pest control.  It is a much healthier option for your plants too!

Once you have followed all of these steps, you can sit back and await your first plumed friends.

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.