We are Shadowlands
For more than thirty years, Shadowlands has supplied the green industry with quality plants grown with genuine passion and care. We pride ourselves in propagating and delivering plants that are suited to the Western Cape climate, offering sustainable plant solutions for a wide range of applications. Plants can be grown specifically for individual projects or selected from our extensive range.
Customer care and efficient service remain central to our daily operations, supported by our fleet of trucks that deliver throughout Cape Town and surrounding areas. We also welcome visitors to our nursery, where you can experience first-hand the variety and quality of plants available.
Our long-standing commitment to the industry, combined with our passion and practical expertise, makes Shadowlands a trusted partner and perfect choice for propagation, production and supply of plants to both residential and commercial landscaping projects.
While we do not supply directly to the public, our plants are available through reputable garden centres and retail nurseries across the Western Cape. We look forward to being of service and growing with you.
Young Grower of the Year (SANA)
Jenny is an outstanding young horticulturalist with over five years’ experience and a real passion for growing excellence. From production and propagation to nursery management, Jenny has continually challenged existing methods, improving cutting success, quality and growing practices.
Six months ago, Jenny stepped into the role of Nursery Manager, taking responsibility for production, propagation, fertigation, growing media and structures. Overnight, her team grew from 10 to 60 people, a huge challenge that she embraced with confidence and determination. Her calm but firm leadership while developing team members to take on greater responsibility and support the nursery’s growth, has earned her the respect of her team and created an incredible partnership between production and sales. Her attention to detail and commitment to quality have helped Shadowlands become recognised as one of the best growers in the country. Jenny has also excelled in sales planning, new plant introductions and trials, constantly looking for better plants, products and growing methods.
Jenny is an incredible asset to Shadowlands, and we are incredibly proud of what she has achieved! Congratulations, Jenny!
Our Products
Watch Me BloomThis Season
"Spring fever" is real — and we're here for it! There’s something wonderfully exciting about spring. The days stretch longer, the evenings stay lighter, the air begins to warm, and suddenly we find ourselves thinking about one thing: getting back into the garden! After the cooler, wetter months, the Western Cape bursts into life. Trees begin to wake from their winter rest, fresh green leaves unfurl, shrubs put on new growth and gardens start filling with colour. It's as though nature has thrown open the curtains and announced, “Let the growing season begin!"
Indigenous plants, colourful annuals, bulbs, flowering shrubs and garden perennials each transform gardens and natural landscapes into vibrant tapestries of colour. With cheerful daisies and brilliant vygies to magnificent proteas, pincushions and other Cape favourites, your garden or landscape can suddenly become alive with colour, pollinators, fresh foliage and new growth. Spring is more than simply a change of season — it is a celebration of renewal, growth and the joy of gardening. It’s the perfect time to get your hands in the soil, embrace the warmer days and create a garden that will carry that spring magic right through the seasons ahead.
It's all in the Season
Flowerpower 3D Blue Steel
Make a striking statement in the garden with Osteospermum 'FlowerPower 3D Blue Steel', an exceptional African Daisy prized for its unusual flower form, distinctive colouring and long-lasting garden performance. This compact, bushy perennial produces masses of remarkable three dimensional, pom-pom-like double flowers, with crisp white outer petals surrounding beautifully layered centres in sophisticated shades of steel blue to violet. Even more impressively, the flowers of the 3D series are known for remaining open in lower light and into the evening, allowing their unusual colouring and intricate form to be enjoyed for longer.
With a naturally compact, rounded and well-branched habit, 'Blue Steel' typically reaches approximately 30–45 cm in height and width, making it wonderfully versatile for smaller gardens as well as larger landscapes. Plant osteospermum (African daisies) in a location with full sun and well-drained soil. Lightly trim or prune after a heavy flowering flush to maintain a neat shape and encourage repeat blooms.
Geraldton Wax Cotton Candy
Bring a soft touch of colour and year-round structure to the garden with Geraldton Wax 'Cotton Candy', a beautiful and exceptionally versatile evergreen shrub. Chamelaucium hybrid produces an abundance of delicate, soft pink, waxy flowers from late winter through spring, with flowering beginning from around mid-August. The masses of star-shaped blooms create a beautiful display against its fine, needle-like foliage, brightening the garden at a time when many other plants are only just beginning to emerge from winter.
Naturally tough, upright and water-wise, 'Cotton Candy' is particularly well suited to semi-arid and winter rainfall climates. It performs exceptionally well planted in full sun and can become a reliable and rewarding garden feature. Once established, it is relatively low maintenance and requires less supplementary water, making it an excellent choice for water-conscious gardens.
Geraldton Wax Cotton Candy
Bring a soft touch of colour and year-round structure to the garden with Geraldton Wax 'Cotton Candy', a beautiful and exceptionally versatile evergreen shrub. Chamelaucium hybrid produces an abundance of delicate, soft pink, waxy flowers from late winter through spring, with flowering beginning from around mid-August. The masses of star-shaped blooms create a beautiful display against its fine, needle-like foliage, brightening the garden at a time when many other plants are only just beginning to emerge from winter.
Naturally tough, upright and water-wise, 'Cotton Candy' is particularly well suited to semi-arid and winter rainfall climates. It performs exceptionally well planted in full sun and can become a reliable and rewarding garden feature. Once established, it is relatively low maintenance and requires less supplementary water, making it an excellent choice for water-conscious gardens.
Flowerpower 3D Blue Steel
Make a striking statement in the garden with Osteospermum 'FlowerPower 3D Blue Steel', an exceptional African Daisy prized for its unusual flower form, distinctive colouring and long-lasting garden performance. This compact, bushy perennial produces masses of remarkable three dimensional, pom-pom-like double flowers, with crisp white outer petals surrounding beautifully layered centres in sophisticated shades of steel blue to violet. Even more impressively, the flowers of the 3D series are known for remaining open in lower light and into the evening, allowing their unusual colouring and intricate form to be enjoyed for longer.
With a naturally compact, rounded and well-branched habit, 'Blue Steel' typically reaches approximately 30–45 cm in height and width, making it wonderfully versatile for smaller gardens as well as larger landscapes. Plant osteospermum (African daisies) in a location with full sun and well-drained soil. Lightly trim or prune after a heavy flowering flush to maintain a neat shape and encourage repeat blooms.
Our SpringLines
Dipladenia
Scientifically classified within the Mandevilla genus, is a popular, sun-loving tropical plant prized for its glossy green leaves and continuous, trumpet-shaped blooms. While closely related to the traditional climbing Mandevilla vine, Dipladenia grows primarily as a bushy, compact shrub with trailing tendencies, making it ideal for hanging baskets, planters, and garden borders.
Marigold
Marigolds (Tagetes) are hardy, sun-loving annual flowers celebrated for their vibrant yellow, orange, and red blooms. Native to the Americas, they are popular globally for their ease of growth, pest-deterring properties, and deep cultural significance. The best time to plant marigolds is during spring and summer (from September to January) once the danger of frost has passed.
Star Jasmine
Trachelospermum jasminoides, commonly known as Star Jasmine or Confederate Jasmine, is a versatile, woody, evergreen climber celebrated for its intensely fragrant, star-shaped white flowers. Despite its common name, it is not a true jasmine; it belongs to the Apocynaceae (dogbane) family rather than the Oleaceae (jasmine) family.
Our Variety of SpringWater-Wise
Bulbine Frutescens
Commonly known as burn jelly plant, stalked bulbine, or cat's tail is a versatile succulent valued for its soothing leaf gel used to treat minor burns, insect bites, and skin rashes, as well as its durability as a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance garden ornamental with bright yellow or orange flowers. It is a highly resilient, water-wise succulent perennial native to South Africa. It belongs to the Asphodelaceae family and is widely cultivated globally for its long-blooming ornamental flowers and aloe-like medicinal properties. Bulbine frutescens grows best in full sun and loose well drained soil.
Leonotis Leonurus
Commonly known as Wild Dagga or Lion's Ear, is a robust, fast-growing evergreen shrub native to South Africa. It belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is famous for its striking, tiered whorls of velvety, tubular bright orange flowers that bloom from autumn through winter. The leaves are medium-dark green, 5–10 cm long. The name "dagga" originates from the Khoikhoi word dachab. While it shares a common name with cannabis, it is a completely distinct genus, and the prefix "wild" serves to separate the two. The shrub grows 2 to 3 metres tall (rarely to 4 m), and 1.5 meter wide, with softly woody stems.
Portulacaria Afra
Commonly known as Elephant Bush, Spekboom, or Porkbush, is a versatile, rapid-growing succulent native to South Africa. This resilient evergreen plant features a distinctive look with fleshy, round emerald-green leaves and contrasting reddish-brown, semi-woody stems. In the wild, it forms large shrubs or small trees reaching heights of up to 4.5 metres, functioning as a vital food source for elephants and black rhinos. Globally, it is highly celebrated as a beginner-friendly indoor houseplant, an adaptable landscaping shrub, and a premier subject for bonsai training.
Our Industry DuringSpring
Spring is a beautiful time of year. Everything that has been dormant begins to spring back to life—humans, plants and animals alike. The birds become more active, new life is born, and the flowering season begins along the West Coast. The days slowly grow longer and warmer, while an air of motivation, energy and positivity gradually starts to creep into daily life. From a grower’s perspective, spring is the most rewarding time of the year. It is when all the hard work that has gone into planning, planting and maintaining the nursery finally begins to pay off. The nursery is often bursting at the seams with healthy, vibrant plants waiting to find their new homes.
Spring is when plants begin to wake from their winter dormancy and their growth starts to accelerate. New shoots emerge, foliage becomes fuller, and many plants prepare to burst into flower. For a grower, there is something incredibly satisfying about seeing the results of months of care and dedication—and knowing that these plants are ready to bring colour, life and beauty to someone’s garden.
Even though we are all excited for the days to warm up, the sun to show its face a little more, and the opportunity to get back into the garden, the best time to plant in the Western Cape is actually throughout autumn and winter. Planting during these cooler months gives plants time to establish strong, healthy root systems before spring arrives. By the time the warmer weather rolls around, they are well settled in and ready to put on their beautiful spring display. With a little planning and preparation during autumn and winter, you can enjoy a garden bursting with life in spring—without having to do all the hard work when the season arrives.
Flavour Grows HereHerb Plants
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Are a hardy, perennial herb belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, which also includes onions, garlic, and leeks. Prized for their mild, delicate onion flavor, they are highly versatile in both culinary dishes and home gardens. Every part of the plant is completely edible, including its slender green leaves and vibrant purple blooms.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Is an exceptionally versatile annual herb in the parsley family where every part of the plant is completely edible. Depending on where you live in the world, the terminology changes significantly: in the United States, the fresh green leaves are called cilantro, while the dried fruits are called coriander seeds. In South Africa & India, the fresh leaves are frequently referred to as dhania.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Is an aromatic, cold-sensitive perennial herb belonging to the mint family. Often called sweet marjoram or knotted marjoram, it is native to the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and Western Asia. While it looks highly similar to its close cousin oregano, marjoram delivers a distinctively milder, sweeter, and more complex culinary and medicinal profile.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Is a nutrient-dense, biennial herb native to the Mediterranean region and widely cultivated worldwide as a fresh culinary spice, garnish, and vegetable.
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Is the most popular and widely used culinary variety of basil, famous for its essential role in Italian cuisine, pesto, and caprese salads. It features a sweet, slightly peppery flavor profile with distinct notes of anise and clove.
Sweet rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Also widely known as Dame's rocket, is a short-lived perennial or biennial flowering plant celebrated for its sweet, violet-like fragrance that intensifies in the evening.
Wake Your Garden UpFor Spring
Spring is the perfect time to give your garden a fresh start. A little preparation now will reward you with healthier plants, richer soil and a garden bursting with colour.
Prune for Fresh, Healthy Growth
Early spring is the time to get started and remove dead, damaged and overgrown branches to encourage fresh growth and improve the shape of your plants. Shrubs such as Viburnum can be cut back, Roses can be pruned back to around three to five strong stems, while hydrangeas benefit from selective pruning depending on the variety.
Feed Your Soil with Compost
Spring is the perfect opportunity to give your garden beds a boost. Dig a generous layer of organic compost into the soil before the growing season gets into full swing. Compost improves soil structure, encourages healthy root growth and helps your garden hold onto moisture. Good soil is where a great garden begins.
Bring on the Colour
Nothing says spring quite like a garden full of colour. Favourites such as wild garlic, pelargonium crispum, lavender, plumbago auriculata, felicia amelloides and clivia can create lasting interest. For early spring colour, try pansies and violas.
Turn Awkward Spaces into Pathways
Have a shady corner where grass refuses to grow? Instead of fighting nature, work with it. Create a pathway through difficult areas using brick, gravel, sleepers, bark or fruit pips. Bricks are particularly useful for edging and create a timeless, rustic feel that blends naturally into the garden.
Cover an Uninspiring Wall
A plain boundary wall can become a beautiful green backdrop with the right creeper. Climbers and creepers are perfect for softening walls, fences and other hard landscaping features. Train a creeper around a window, over a wall or along a boundary for an instantly softer, more romantic garden feel.
Make Your Garden a Haven for Birds and Bees
Spring is alive with birds, bees and butterflies, so why not make your garden part of their habitat? Choose plants that provide nectar, food and shelter, including lavender, aloes, wild grasses, karee trees, proteas, pincushions and bottlebrushes. With the right plants, you can create a beautiful garden that also gives nature a helping hand.
Plant a Tree for the Future
Spring is an ideal time to think beyond this season and plant something that will benefit your garden for years to come. Arbour Month in September is the perfect reminder to add a tree to your garden. A tree is more than a garden feature. It provides shade, habitat and structure, and becomes part of the garden's story as it grows.
Mulch, Mulch and Mulch Again
If there is one simple spring job worth making time for, it’s mulching. A good layer of mulch helps reduce moisture loss, suppress weeds, protect the soil and regulate soil temperature.
Ready, Set, Grow!
Prune back the old, feed the soil, add colour, create inviting spaces and plant for the future. With a little preparation now, you’ll be ready to enjoy a garden that is healthier, greener and full of life throughout the growing season.
Shadowlands Wholesale Nursery offer a wide selection of quality plants and expert advice to help landscapers, developers, and garden enthusiasts create beautiful outdoor spaces in every season.
Spring LandscapeRecommendations
Wild Garlic
Wild Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea), also commonly known as society garlic or wildeknoffel, is a fast-growing, highly resilient perennial bulb native to South Africa. Belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, this water-wise plant is widely cultivated for its attractive lavender flowers, low-maintenance nature, and edible properties.
Lavender
Lavender 'Margaret Roberts' (Lavandula x intermedia) is a popular, robust, evergreen hybrid shrub named in honour of the legendary late South African herbalist Margaret Roberts. It is widely prized across South Africa for its tall violet-blue flower spikes, continuous flowering habits, and an intense, clean fragrance.
Clivia
Known as the bush lily or Natal lily, is a genus of six elegant flowering plant species native to the subtropical understory forests of South Africa. Part of the Amaryllidaceae family, they are highly prized globally for their striking clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers, dark green strap-like evergreen leaves, and extreme resilience in shade.
Plumbago Auriculata
Plumbago auriculata (commonly known as Cape Plumbago, Cape Leadwort, or Sky Flower) is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub native to South Africa. It is highly prized by gardeners globally for its low-maintenance nature, extreme drought tolerance, and constant profusion of phlox-like, sky-blue flower cluster.
Pelargonium Crispum
‘Top Roxy’ is a plant variety known for its aromatic leaves and vibrant flowers. Its key features include a compact size, making it suitable for small spaces, and its ability to thrive in both indoor and outdoor environments. The plant offers numerous benefits such as natural pest repellent properties and low maintenance requirements.
Felicia Amelloides
Commonly known as the blue daisy, blue marguerite, or kingfisher daisy, is a popular, hardy, evergreen perennial subshrub native to the coastal and southern regions of South Africa (specifically the Western Cape and Eastern Cape). It is widely prized for its brilliant sky-blue, daisy-like flowers featuring contrasting sunny yellow centers.
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Dreaming of a home filled with lush, leafy greenery?
Skip the smoothie bar, grow the good stuff at home instead!
Bring a little colour indoors this season.
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