The determination of selection criteria for the horticultural use of indigenous plants in South Africa

Abstract

The brief discussion of the history of ornamental plants at the start of the thesis is intended to provide the background to this study. It is followed by an exposition of the values that ornamental plants bring to our world in terms of their physical, psychological and economic benefits. To a great many people increasing urbanisation all over the globe means that ornamental plants often provide their only link to the natural world. Using plants in gardens and landscaped environments for the benefit and enjoyment of humankind comes at a price. As more landscape projects are being undertaken by public and corporate bodies and also private individuals, and as the costs of their creation and maintenance keep on rising, those responsible are becoming keenly interested in selecting the most suitable plants to match their needs from the outset, as well as in containing the cost of their subsequent upkeep. The ornamental plant industry today is characterised by its great diversity, as are the indigenous flora of South Africa. The aim of this study is to investigate current patterns of ornamental plant usage in South Africa, and to determine the most appropriate selection criteria for the horticultural use of indigenous plants in South Africa. Using only the physical characteristics of plants as a selection criterion for sourcing new ornamental plants from indigenous South African flora, ignores other important considerations that should form part of the process of making informed selection choices on the part of the growers, suppliers and consumers. These considerations in fact constitute significant needs among especially consumers and growers that should be investigated, first, in order to understand them and then to craft practical solutions. In exploring these considerations, one should bear in mind that there are a number of factors inhibiting the horticultural use of indigenous plants in South Africa, including serious competition from exotic plants. This study has three specific focus areas, namely: (1) identifying those considerations that have a bearing on the formulation of selection criteria of indigenous South African flora as new ornamental plants; (2) establishing whether growers and cultivators of indigenous plants are responding adequately to market possibilities and industry trends; and (3) determining what other factors may inhibit the horticultural use of such plants. The study shows that there is indeed a range of selection criteria that consumers and growers apply when selecting indigenous plants for horticultural uses. The formalisation and practical application of such selection criteria could also help industry role-players to take better advantage of the market opportunities for indigenous plants. An ongoing interaction and exchange of ideas between growers of ornamental plants and their customers would be a precondition for the success of such a process. While the needs of these two groups differ in some respects, they converge in others. Finding the greatest measure of compatibility between the two sets of needs requires a closer examination of the selection criteria for the horticultural use of indigenous plants in South Africa. A review of the literature produced a collection of the most common factors pertaining to ornamental plant selection. A formal survey was compiled, based on these considerations, which was used to test their validity and relative importance among retailers, landscapers and ornamental plant growers in South Africa. The final chapter contains the findings, conclusions and recommendations produced by this study. The recommendations include, among others, suggestions for the use of additional selection criteria. The survey also revealed some questions that could be the subject of future research, but which fell outside the ambit of this study. Recommendations in this regard have been made accordingly.