It took minutes for flourishing fynbos gardens to be reduced to ash and bare earth the day fires swept through sunny seas, Betty's Bay. I won't dwell on the human tragedy that unfolded on that day except to say that heroic people are always heroic and we've seen a lot of heroism in these parts.  

Nature too can be called heroic, I think, when one looks at the rosettes of fresh green leaves growing at the bottom of the blackened sticks and the new shoots pushing through the soil.  Imported plants are going to be needed to help hold the ground though before the North Wester moves into top gear this winter and perhaps with Easter symbolising new life as it does perhaps a tray of gazanias or plectranthus or a coleonema in a pot or salvia would make the perfect Easter gift this year.  

As plastic trays and pots are practical rather than pretty, let us make up a gift bag or box for your Easter fynbos and bring a tear to your friend's eye when she sees your gift to her garden and your vote of faith in its recovery that comes with it.