A LIVING MEMORY
I thank you God for this amazing day
Plant a tree for me I say
God looks upon the heart you see
What better - than a tree
So plant a tree so tall and straight
It almost reaches the heavenly gate
A living memory of me will be
A breathing swaying growing tree
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts its leafy arms to pray
So place my ashes here for me
That I can live within this tree
Then once again I'll soar up high
And join you God up in the sky
What better place for me to be
A breathing swaying growing tree.
by Wendy Henkel
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLANT A TREE IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE
PLEASE CONTACT:
G A R D E NS FOR YOU
WENDY HENKEL
cell: +27 83 603 0377 | email: gforyou@mweb.co.za
THOUGHTS BEHIND THIS CONCEPT:
• A resting place near loved ones
• Unsafe visiting a cemetery nowadays
• Convenient for the whole family to view the tree
• Ashes buried 1 meter, deep enough not to be tampered with
• Lovely idea for children
• Jesus is the Tree of Life whose foundation is solid and we are the branches
• He is the Vine and we are the branch, let the light shine!
Bread feeds the body indeed, but the flowers also feed the soul.
The Koran
Dean's palms Kommetjie
Dean approached us to remove two Phoenix Canariensis palms from his garden in Kommetjie and told us that we could have them FREE OF CHARGE as long as we removed them from his garden.The Gardens For You team arrived on site ready to remove the trees, but after we looked at the palms we advised the client to rather let us manicure them as they were an absolute asset to his garden, and especially as both palms were very happy and healthy.
Dean, however did not bargain on paying to have trees cleaned, but he decided to take our advice and gave us the go ahead.
We spent two days chain sawing our way to fame and made 5 trips to the local dump to get rid of the debris.
When we were finished Dean was completely over the moon, and extremely grateful for the advice we had given him to keep the palm trees, as they looked very elegant.
As the neighbours arrived home from work the positive compliments few, as they all loved what we had done to the trees, which made all our hard work worthwhile.
The fact that we could have sold the trees for a nice profit was not the point for us, but rather to have a happy customer who could still enjoy the shade that his 20 year old palm trees provided him and his family from the hot African sun.
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
Marcel Proust
Polygala fruticosa (Sweet Pea Bush)
Category: ShrubFamily: Polygalaceae (Milkworts)
Origin: South Africa
Evergreen: Yes
Flower Colour: Purple
Bloomtime: Year-round
Height: 1 - 2 meters
Width: 1 - 2 meters
Exposure: Sun or Part shade
Irrigation: Medium water requirements
The Polygala fruticosa (Petite Butterfly or Sweet Pea Shrub) has a compact habit of growth reaching up to 2 meters in height. It is very free flowering all year round and has to be the most attractive shrub for any garden attracting birds and bees alike. It also makes a good cut flower and lasts well in flower arrangements.
The young leaves of this indigenous evergreen are tinged with purple and the flowers resemble those of the Sweet Pea. This hardy plant requires no special care, it has excellent water-wise properties, and once established it will tolerate fairly heavy drought.
The 'Southern Shores' selection grows very well in rockeries, on slopes and any well-drained, sunny garden position providing a stunning display. This specimen also grows naturally next to the sea so it makes an ideal small shrub for coastal gardens.
This shrub has so many positive attributes that it is bound to make your head spin, in my opinion a must for any garden.
Phoenix Roebelenii - Miniature date palm
Phoenix Roebelenii - Miniature date palm
Species - Arecacea/Palmae (palm Family)
Phoenix roebelenii (Pygmy Date Palm or Miniature Date Palm) originated from Southeastern Asia and Southwestern China (Yunnan) to Northern Laos and Northern Vietnam.
This plant belongs to the dwarf palms and considered to be one of the finest and the most elegant and graceful of all palms, it is another cultivar of the date palm.
The Pygmy date palm is a slow-growing upright tree that can a reach a height of about 8 feet tall. It boasts glossy green long fronds that drape downward and both male and female plants produce cream-colored, tiny flowers. from its slender trunk. Unknown to many, the Pygmy Date Palm produces a reddish-black fleshy fruit.
The Pygmy Date Palm can be used as a single specimen or planted in a group to be more effective. In the United States, Pygmy Date palms are widely used as landscape palms. They are magnificent as indoor palms and are perfect when you want the tropical feel of a palm tree in your landscape but you are space restricted.
Among other palms, the Phoenix roebelenii is the most adaptive when grown in containers and they look attractive at poolsides and is definitely the most versatile palm.
Can be grown in shade to full sun. If planting them out, choose a site that is well protected, either next to a wall, building or house (south side preferred) or under a large tree.
PROPAGATION:
This palm is propagated by seeds.
WHEN CUTTING OFF THE LEAVES TAKE CAUTION NOT TO PRICK YOURSELF ON THE SPINES - AS IT CAN BE EXTREMELY PAINFUL.
You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt.
Author Unknown
Yucca Elephantipes - 'Marginata' (Variegated Giant Yucca)
Species - Agavaceae
Common names for this species includes spineless yucca, giant yucca, blue-stem yucca and soft-tip yucca.
The Yucca Elephantipes is a succulent plant and is native to Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras.
Yucca Elephantipes is the tallest of the Yucca species.
This Yucca can grow up to 9 metres in height, with a spread to 4.5 metres, it is usually less than 6 metres in height. It can have a thick, single trunk or be multi-trunked resulting the growth from the base. The leaves are strap-like, spineless and up to 1.2 metres in length.
White flowers are produced in the summer, followed by brown, fleshy fruits which are oval and up to 2.5 cm in length.
Young plants are used as potted specimens, and may be used as an house plant, as long as they get plenty of light.
The species can be grown in a variety of soils and is drought-tolerant.
Plants are subject to root rot if over watered.
Yucca Elephantipes may be subject to a number of pests including scale, Yucca moth borers, and black weevils. Leaf spot may affect leaf appearance, but does not otherwise affect the health of the plant.
PROPAGATION:
Propagation is by suckers, cuttings or seed.
EXERCISE CAUTION WHERE PLANTING AS THESE PLANTS HAVE SPIKY TIPS.
Gardening is medicine that needs no prescription
Author Unknown
SOME OF THE THINGS WE SELL
PHOENIX CANARIENSIS - Date palm
If you want to make a dramatic statement use this huge imposing palm wherever there is space to accomodate it. This is truly the king of palm trees.
for more info
WASHINGTONIA ROBUSTA - Mexican fan palm
Use the Washington palm for formal groupings or avenue plantings.
This skyscraper of the palm world is a striking sight when planted at equal intervals along a driveway or when snuggled up in groups against high buildings.
for more info
YUCCA ELEPHANTIPES 'Marginata'- Variegated Giant Yucca
Yucca Elephantipes is the tallest of the Yucca species.
Young plants are used as potted specimens, and may be used as an house plant, as long as they get plenty of light.
Plants are subject to root rot if over watered.
for more info
PHOENIX ROEBELENII - Miniature date palm
This plant belongs to the dwarf palms and considered to be one of the finest and the most elegant and graceful of all palms, it is another cultivar of the date palm.Among other palms, the Phoenix roebelenii is the most adaptive when grown in containers and they look attractive at poolsides and is definitely the most versatile palm.
for more info
A gardener's best tool is the knowledge from previous seasons.
Andy Tomolonis
Bennie's garden - Brackenfell
Today the Gardens For You team cleaned and trimmed Washingtonia Robusta (fan palm) you can see by the images what the results were.
Yet another happy customer.
We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.
Abraham Lincoln
Marguerite's garden
On the 10th and 11th November the Gardens For You team moved to a garden in Melkbosstrand to do yet another garden makeover.
The client had a garden that was overgrown and the irrigation was not working properly.
The Gardens For You team went in to do their magic and trimmed all the dead leaves off her established palm trees, cut back neglected shrubs, that they had structure and shape again. Then they cut all the dead wood from the other trees in the garden which will enable new growth to appear.
When that was finished the team took a dull and dreary corner of the garden and created a stunning feature with a huge log, some brown stone chip, 5 garden gnomes and an established Pachypodium lamieri which is a water wise feature plant.
The team removed all the weeds from the beds, checked the irrigation, added droppers to the pot plants (so the pot plants will now receive water when the irrigation switches on)they even went further and removed all the weeds from the brick paving down the side of the house.
When the team left they took away all the garden refuse and left the property in a pristine condition.
The owner of the property had not seen the result by the time they left as she was away on business and was only due back later that night.
WELL! I received a call last night at approximately 9pm with apologies that it was so late, but she just had to tell me how ecstatic she was about what the Gardens For You team had done.
Customers feedback:
Dear Wendy
THIS MAKES IT ALL WORTHWHILE.
Life is like a rose . . . More exquisite and precious, When shared with others.
Jane Oechsle Lauer
The client had a garden that was overgrown and the irrigation was not working properly.
The Gardens For You team went in to do their magic and trimmed all the dead leaves off her established palm trees, cut back neglected shrubs, that they had structure and shape again. Then they cut all the dead wood from the other trees in the garden which will enable new growth to appear.
When that was finished the team took a dull and dreary corner of the garden and created a stunning feature with a huge log, some brown stone chip, 5 garden gnomes and an established Pachypodium lamieri which is a water wise feature plant.
The team removed all the weeds from the beds, checked the irrigation, added droppers to the pot plants (so the pot plants will now receive water when the irrigation switches on)they even went further and removed all the weeds from the brick paving down the side of the house.
When the team left they took away all the garden refuse and left the property in a pristine condition.
The owner of the property had not seen the result by the time they left as she was away on business and was only due back later that night.
WELL! I received a call last night at approximately 9pm with apologies that it was so late, but she just had to tell me how ecstatic she was about what the Gardens For You team had done.
Customers feedback:
Dear Wendy
Thank you very much for a job well done in my garden. I appreciate the initiative you took and for the professional way in which it was done. I will definately make use of your services in future.
Kind regards.
Marguerite
THIS MAKES IT ALL WORTHWHILE.
Life is like a rose . . . More exquisite and precious, When shared with others.
Jane Oechsle Lauer
Ralph's palm purchase
Ralph, a builder and developer contacted us as he wanted to surprise one of his overseas clients by planting a palm tree in their front garden, prior to them seeing the house.
We emailed Ralph a picture of a palm tree that suited his budget, and the same day, met him on site to discuss the matter further. The following day we arrived at the property, dug the hole and prepared the soil mix for the planting of a 1 meter stem Phoenix Canariensis (date palm).
When we were finished Ralph arrived on site and was very pleased with the choice of palm, and the way in which the Gardens For You team cleaned up the site when they had finished. It is always so rewarding to have a grateful and appreciative client.
We have included some images for you to see the process.
A garden is never so good as it will be next year.
Thomas Cooper
Washingtonia Robusta - Mexican fan palm
Washingtonia Robusta - Mexican fan palm
Species - Arecacea/Palmae (palm Family)
Mexican fan palm is native to northwestern Mexico.
This skyscraper of the palm world is a striking sight when planted at equal intervals along a driveway or when snuggled up in groups against high buildings. The solitary trunk, about 10-12 in (25.4-30.5 cm) in diameter, bulges at the ground and becomes slender as it approaches a crown of large palmate leaves with gracefully drooping leaflet tips.
Growing up to 25 meters, rare but can reach 30 meters.
These are rich glossy green and grow to about 5 ft (1.5 m) long and 4 ft (1.2 m) wide. They are borne on 3 ft (0.9 m) orange leaf stems that are edged with vicious sawtooth spines.
As the leaves die, they fall against the trunk to create the "hula skirt" effect for which this palm is famous.
Washington palm prefers a moderately rich well drained soil but can survive on poor soils, even sand.
They like a bright sunny location, but will also tolerate some shade.
Washington palms are drought resistant when established, but look better and grow faster when given adequate moisture.
Water young plants for a healthier look and fastest growth.
Propagate by seed, will germinate in about 2 months.
Use the Washington palm for formal groupings or avenue plantings.
Young plants can be grown in containers and give a tropical look to patios and decks.
Washington palms has many fine attributes including being salt resistant and have a fast growth rate.
WHEN CUTTING OFF THE LEAVES TAKE CAUTION NOT TO PRICK YOURSELF ON THE SPINES - AS CAN IT BE EXTREMELY PAINFUL.
In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends.
Kozuko Okakura
Phoenix Canariensis - (Date Palm)
Phoenix Canariensis - (Date Palm)Species - Arecacea/Palmae (palm Family)
Canary Island date palm is native to the Canary Islands which is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of northeast Africa.
This palm is huge and imposing and is definitely the center of attention wherever planted.
Growing up to 60' tall, the thick, hulking trunk is covered with interesting diamond designs that mark the point of attachment of the leaves.
The massive trunk supports a huge crown of over 50 huge arching pinnate leaves that may reach 18' long. These leaves are deep green shading to a yellow stem where the leaflets are replaced by vicious spines.
This palm is very slow growing when young, but once the trunk reaches it's full diameter the growth rate increases.
Fertilize in spring and summer.
Plant in a bright sunny location.
Adult specimens are drought resistant.
Water young plants for healthy look and fastest growth.
Propagate by seed.
If you want to make a dramatic statement use this huge imposing palm wherever there is space to accomodate it. This is truly the king of palm trees.
WHEN CUTTING OFF THE LEAVES TAKE CAUTION NOT TO PRICK YOURSELF ON THE SPINES - AS CAN BE EXTREMELY PAINFUL.
The only limit to your garden is at the boundaries of your imagination.
Thomas D. Church
Sharon's garden - Bloubergrant
This past week Gardens For You transformed a couples garden from an eyesore into something of beauty.
They had lots of stunning established feature plants that some idiot who called himself a "landscaper" had planted in all the wrong spots.
After the Garden Images team got stuck in they re-arranged all the plants, trimmed shrubs and trees that were totally overgrown and untidy - and finally added their golden touch by incorporating some river stones, big chunky wooden logs and lots of pretty colorful annuals in time for Christmas.
What a treat to see the clients faces when they got home from work each day to see the transformation taking place.
After a few days we were called back to their residence to lay irrigation so they were assured the plants were getting enough water.
It is so gratifying to do a garden for people that are passionate about nature.
ENJOY - the Gardens For You Team.
Flowers leave some of their fragrance in the hand that bestows them.
Chinese proverb
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