Outdoor dining with nature as partner

Outdoor entertainment is our thing in Namibia. Most of us will design our houses with the outdoor or under-roof entertainment area as the main feature of the house. We in Namibia are so blessed with our weather, allowing such lovely outdoor dining and entertainment evenings, even more so with our beautiful sunsets. Pool and outdoor entertainment areas became a major focus and extension to the living space of most Namibian houses, lodges and even restaurants.

Along with the outdoor entertainment area comes our dining table which can be decorated with blooms or foliage from the garden – creating an enchanted candlelight dinner with favourite friends. I am going to share with you what type of foliage, flowers, fruit, and succulents you can grow to have instant decorations on your table for every outdoor dinner event.

Foliage plants for flower arrangements or table décor:
Eucalyptus cinerea (Silver Dollar), olive trees, Ligustrum ovalifolium (Golden Privet), Strelitzia reginae, Aspidistra elatior, Asparagus spp., Monstera deliciosa, Philodendron spp., Nephrolepis ferns, Phormium tenax.



The main flowering plants that are easy growers and flower all summer:
Alstroemerias (Inca lilies), Aga-panthus spp., Hydrangeas, Chry-santhemum, Lavender, Dahlias, Roses, Zinnias, Amaryllis, Dianthus barbatus (Sweet Williams), Barberton Daisy, Sunflowers, Strelitzia, Nas-turtiums.



Fruit as Christmas table décor:
Plums, apples, figs, pomegranates, gooseberries, blueberries, straw-berries, oranges, lemons, cherry tomatoes, small pumpkins, grapes.



Succulent plants are always a winner as décor:
Echeveria spp., Haworthia spp., Aloe arborescens (Krantz aloe or Candelabra aloe), Gonialoe variegata (previously known as Aloe variegata), Sanseviera (snake plants), Portulacaria afra, Crassula rupestris Aeonium (Tree houseleek), Sedum spp.



All the above are only a frac-tion of what may be grown in the garden. Small pieces of driftwood, dried grasses, pebbles, all work well when setting your table. It all depends on the season.

The theme of the event will dictate what flowers, succulents, or foliage you will be using. Succulents are rather easy décor material, as you can stick them back into your garden bed or pot and they will carry on growing.

Imagine glass vases with pebbles, candles or dried seed pods as part of the décor material you could use to create that stunning themed event and dinner table your guests will talk about for many months to come.

Décor from your garden is not only free of charge, but it also adds that extra personal touch and taste of lifestyle.
Start planning for your Christmas table with décor from your own garden.


Pupkewitz Megabuild:
Eugene le Roux
Horticulturist
Cell: 081 124 6965