GARDEN NOTES / DURBAN

Choosing plants for a coastal Durban garden.

22 September 2026

Start with the place, not just the plant.

Write a short garden brief

Before buying plants, note where you want screening, colour or an open view. Photograph the space at different times of day and record which parts receive direct sun. Include the available planting width and the amount of maintenance you want to take on.

One indigenous option to discuss

Carissa macrocarpa, often called num-num, occurs naturally along the coast through KwaZulu-Natal. SANBI describes it as suitable for hedging in full sun to semi-shade. Its thorns mean positioning deserves care near paths and frequently used spaces. This is an option to assess for your site, rather than a recommendation for every garden. Read SANBI’s plant profile.

Plan the whole space

Leave room for access and the plant’s mature size. Discuss existing drainage, exposure and soil conditions with your gardener or nursery before settling on a plant list. A photograph helps start the conversation, but it cannot reveal every site condition.

Turn your notes into an enquiry

Send your suburb, photographs and the changes you have in mind when asking about gardening services in Durban.