Nectar Group.
The nectar group is probably the most diverse group containing plant types from aloes, shrubs, climbers and trees. Most of them have red to orange flowers, these being the main attractor to nectar feeders.
In the cape coastal and fynbos areas the predominant species are protea and Erica, and inland mountainous terrain is populated by aloe and sugar bush. Interestingly aloe species are very easily cross pollinated, but in natural circumstances this does not occur easily as the distribution ranges are often exclusive and where overlapping does occur, each species has very specific bird species that feed from them.
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Tree Fuchsia (Halleria lucida) – |
This tree is probably the best nectar producer of all. The tree grows in most of our provinces and depending on the garden size, every garden should have one. |
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Wild dagga (Leonotis leonurus) |
this plant is best grown in clumps for best results. They are very good to use as corridor plants as they grow quite tall but do not have a wide spread. |
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All aloe species- |
Aloes do much better inland than along the coast. The species that I recommend is the Krantz Aloe (Aloe arborescens) as it grows in a neat shrub; it makes good hedges and produces many flower heads. |
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Cape honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis) |
Honeysuckle also grows across the country. In colder areas young plants need to protected, and the plant will loose its leaves in winter. This is one of the plants that require some maintenance as it can ramble a bit, but I recommend pruning once a year after it has flowered. |
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Coral trees (Erythrina spp) |
Coral trees are also suited better for warmer areas but if protected when young they do very well in Highveld gardens. In spring the tree bears clusters of red flowers before growing new leaves and makes a stunning addition to gardens. |
