Chapter One

“The winding road from Alice takes one steeply up the Pass and quickly back in time, to a Place which still echoes with the thoughts and tales of J.R.R.Tolkien”.

Those who give themselves enough time to experience Hogsback thoroughly, all come away with an impression which mirrors some version of that statement.

Those of us who have made it our home for any number of years, of course experience much more than that.

Those of us who have turned our energies to creativity, perhaps inspired by what Nature has bestowed upon the Hogsback, would best understand the far-reaching implications of it.

Tolkien certainly did. Many artists who once lived here, and some of those who still do, would tell you that they did their best and most inspired work, while nestled in some log cabin or wattle-and-daub outhouse, plumbing and electrical challenges notwithstanding. If artists must suffer in order to create, none have done so with more stoicism than some of its past and present gardeners.

Originally temperate alpine grassland, the Hogsback at an average altitude of 1300m, became the refuge of missionaries’ families who suffered the heat and dust and frustration of their 1800’s vocations, billeted as they were in Alice. A mere 33kms but a world apart, the 5 day trek by ox-wagon brought them to a place akin to their native European clime.

Here they could rest and recuperate their English sensibilities, whiling away the summer months. Many other Settlers followed. Some took up farming and many of their descendants continue the productive pursuits of their forbears 200 years later. Despite the trials and challenges of intervening political epochs, a palpable peace continues to reign over the mountains and forests, sought by visitor and resident alike.

The act of digging the soil, planting something in the ground and nurturing it, has a calming effect on the human spirit.

It brings structure to the future, through the hope of continuity.

The reason we are drawn to do it may well be aligned to the reason we are drawn to procreate.

Those who come after, are the beneficiaries of foregone labours. The seed planted often only bears fruit or reaches the magnificence of maturity long after we are gone, yet this has never been a reason cited by gardeners not to do it.

In our current appraisal of the state of the Planet as a whole, we are obliged to recognize and laud the role gardeners have played throughout the ages, for if they did not strictly recognize the importance of what they were doing, we certainly must.

The thousand-year-old giants, the semi-mature, the seedling trees and shrubs, all are responsible for filtering the very air we breathe.

Only where the air is pure, will the lichens grow, and they grow in abundance in Hogsback.

The Hogsback falls within the 0.2% of remaining SA Indigenous forested areas not yet denuded by the derangement of humans motivated by greed.

Which is not to say that it is not under attack; Subtle the attack may be and often cloaked in well-meaning deeds, but the resulting damage is the same, were an assault overt.

Creeping urbanization in our time, makes demands upon available land and gives rise to dubious Developments and building practices. Conflicting land-use requirements and labour disputes prompt individuals to wreak havoc by setting fires during inappropriate times.

The resulting conflagrations threaten lives and can destroy carefully managed properties.

Urban dwellers move from the city, bringing their idealistic notions of a genteel country life. Many soon set about clearing their newly acquired overgrown lands, with not the slightest knowledge of what may have been precious plant material lurking there unattended, waiting to be discovered by someone who knew its name.

It is, after all, theirs to do with as they see fit. The trouble comes about when they are not fit to see. One wonders why they do not simply ask for help and guidance, but perhaps that very act would highlight their ignorance. Instead they flaunt their arrogance as though that were preferable. I cannot help but feel deep sadness and regret every time I look over the fences of properties I remember walking through, then in awe of what treasures lay struggling beneath the brambles and wishing they were available to me. Some, too much , but not yet all of it gone now, hacked down and burned in the name of pride, to give people who coveted ‘estates’ the false impression that their few acres constituted anything remotely connected to the terminology.

Foolish pride, silly delusions of grandeur.

Let us put away such notions and recognize that we, all of us, are merely transient custodians, given the opportunity to husband the lands that bear our names.

They will undoubtedly someday bear others.

Let us then aim for a bit of wisdom, that we may perhaps be fondly remembered by generations of future custodians of Hogsback and thanked in absentia for passing on lands more fertile than when we acquired them. That is after all, the true art of gardening.

I am humbled by the enormity of the task ahead and mildly discouraged by the certain knowledge that the labour will not increase my fortunes. The intention is to write specifically for Hogsback, an extremely limited “market”. Then why do it, you ask? The answer lies in the fact that Hogsback is an entirely unique area in South Africa, not mentioned in any gardening book. Hardly discernable on the map, in fact……… akin to some parts of England, but not all and not entirely……. Because it is unique, it is rare and precious. Others climb remote mountains for much the same reason. And also because I have every confidence that people generally do not intentionally make mistakes that would have far-reaching and deleterious consequences for the ecology. They make those mistakes because they did not know any better. What little I have learned, I should pass on and others may take up from where I leave off.

The first gardeners to establish noteworthy gardens in Hogsback, were in the enviable position of being able to take a “slow boat to China” or elsewhere, returning laden with fantastic plants selected especially for the climate. As a result, those gardens today still boast many rare Rhododendrons and their related cousins, the azaleas, as well as other botanical gems, many of which are no longer available. These days stringent importation laws and the simple fact of our unusual climate, makes the acquisition of desirable plants for this climate an extreme challenge, for Hogsback is extensively surrounded by arid scrubland and sub-tropical coastal conditions. Understandably, nurserymen in theEastern Cape cater to this majority demand and will happily sell you some gorgeous plant in summer, which you will only discover in winter, cannot withstand the conditions of its new Hogsback home. It can become an expensive exercise. Reading this treatise may save you much heartache and a good deal of money.

The plant index is derived from cataloguing all the known species of plants already growing in Hogsback and draws on the author’s and contributors’ knowledge of what other suitable plants would and could also grow here, if only one could find them. It is hoped that it will serve a future Community of gardeners and save them some of the frustrations, errors and expense incurred by those who came before. If my intention bears fruit, it will lead to better gardens, interesting and viewable in all seasons, perhaps even the realization of my dream of Hogsback earning the marketable appellation of a semi- alpine garden Village.

Flowers! Let there be flowers everywhere and may they bloom all year round. For who can harbour melancholy, mischief or malice in the face of floral abundance? Which Pauper does not feel a Prince when he has found the key to unlock the good earth’s secrets and learned to feed himself?

The sins of the fathers:

Some Hogsback gardeners who came before us, brought to their gardens such plants as Solanum Mauritanium, then toted as a “lovely blue-flowering shrub much favoured by many species of bird”.

Every gardener wants to attract the birds, both as pollinators and as a source of peaceful and enchanting entertainment.
For who could deny the joy of watching them frolicking amongst the shrubbery, bickering over morsels and splashing about in the baths we always eventually create for them?

What those hapless gardeners did not fully realize, is that any seed eaten by birds is deposited partially digested, in mid-flight or wherever those birds next happen to alight. There the seeds take root. The birds therefore act as vectors and spread plant material intended to be confined to gardens, far and wide. That’s why they’re such good pollinators. Many of our more precious tree and shrub species wouldn’t stand a chance of survival, but for the birds’ useful work.

In the case of ‘Solanum Mauritanium’, however, that which we now colloquially call “Bugweed”, our particular conditions are such that it is happier and more abundant than ever it was in its native Mauritius. To the extent that it has become a pest, an alien invader of our Indigenous Forested areas. A scourge in fact, requiring millions to be spent by government on its eradication………. yet many Hogsback gardens still harbour the thing.

Finding myself some years ago, elected Chairman of the then almost defunct garden club, I rapidly set about a campaign of education. Only to discover that despite Category 1 status ( meaning anyone found with ‘Solanum Mauritanium’ on their property could be fined an unfeasible amount of money) I could neither garner much enthusiasm amongst residents for its removal, nor entice the Municipal fool, charged with responsibility for ensuring that it was done, to do his job. I eventually opted for raising funds and employing the local unemployable to hack down and kill as much of it as I could reasonably gain access to, without being found guilty of trespassing! It remains a problem and one that I hope may be highlighted, underscored and dealt with as a result of this treatise.

There are many other such examples of garden plants gone mad. Many are visible as self-seeding ‘roadside weeds’. In areas surrounding Hogsback, a good example is the self-hybridised purple verbena…….. verges around Alice would be poorer for its absence…….all were brought into the country by people wanting a bit of colour in their gardens.
Not all of them are thugs.

Let’s discuss the issue of aliens. In recent years we have seen, mainly though various know-it-all gardening magazines aimed at the gullible, a groundswell of support for Indigenous. That is laudable. Hot on the heels of that injunction came a barrage of lists of “ Things you should not have growing in your garden and Why.” Also laudable. My sworn enemy the “Bugweed” was on it and I lauded louder than most.

In fact I seem to recall my puny efforts as described above somewhat coincided with the advent of all this well-publicized huffing and puffing.

There is something quite delicious in having one’s opinions vindicated and mirrored by perceived powerful forces and if the Law coincides with that, so much the sweeter. If we are honest, we will admit that this is not the exclusive province of religious zealots.

But then, things started to go a bit weird……. I think the Publishers had realized they were on to a good thing, magazines were flying off the shelves, a veritable Movement had begun.

People who had never planted anything more ambitious than a punnet of petunias were starting to punt the ‘Indigenous Only’ mantra as their opening gambit at dinner parties.
(Always a dangerous, though effective method of spreading urban legends based loosely on fact)
Uncomprehending nods all round, pass the Shiraz, will you?
And by the way, they say we should be getting rid of ALL THE ALIENS.
In with Indigenous. Out with All Aliens! OUT OUT OUT!

I wondered at one stage whether this wasn’t perhaps the most brilliant political undercurrent ever initiated and perpetuated by the ruling Party? I mean, the double entendre was simply wonderfully expedient in light of some of the rantings of elected unwashed youth, in vogue at the time.

Well all right then, we get the message. We’ll just pack up Aunt Fanny, Uncle Jim and the boys, dig up Granny Bertha and the rest of our 7 generations of Colonialists and be on our way “Back ‘ome” if they’ll ‘ave us……… Cheers…… and thanks for all the fish!”

Now, then…… Sorry to be just a little contrary………. Let me get this straight. Don’t you perhaps mean those non-indigenous specimens, now unkindly referred to as Aliens, which have become INVASIVE? Perhaps those that are causing PROBLEMS? I mean, by all means, please manage the Wattle……… but don’t get rid of it entirely, will you, what will we use for firewood instead………. yellow-woods?

Personally, I cannot see what harm has befallen Pretoria ( they hadn’t renamed it yet, so we still knew where it was ) through the Summer spectacle of Indigo blossom courtesy of a wonderful Mimosa, the Jacaranda. Yet, blow me down, there it is, Jacaranda Mimosifolia, on the OUT! List……… and……… Oi! What’s this, roses? They want us to throw out the roses? I suppose it’ll be Cape Town’s Oaks next. Okay, that’s enough, they’ve all gone mad. It happens.

And that was the end of that. Pity, that. They had a good thing going, there. Just didn’t recognize when it was time to put on the brakes. They alienated the support and enthusiasm of those they would have done better to carefully nurture………. the greater gardening Public. Longer Lists of “undesirable Aliens” continue to be published and threats of repercussions grow more sinister, yet fewer are heeding the directives, for which few credible reasons are given.

I shall continue to swathe my lands in roses and just between us, I went to great lengths to ensure I had a specimen of jacaranda tucked away in a quiet corner, for posterity.

We’’ll discuss this issue plant by plant where it is pertinent to do so, in later chapters.