SPRING IN THE EASTERN CAPE
Saturday, 12th October 2019
Spring is in the air and it's time to 'spring' into action and explore our bountiful floral attractions!
The Eastern Cape is a place of contrast and, if you take into consideration that all but one of South Africa’s biomes occur within the province, it is inevitable that a world of varied trees and flowers awaits. In fact, the Eastern Cape’s Baviaanskloof is home to the most diverse species of plants per square kilometre and the wonder plant, Spekboom, is synonymous with the Greater Addo and Karoo regions.
Whether you want to stop and smell the wildflowers, hug a big old Outenique yellowwood tree, admire fynbos in all its pink-and-white protea glory or draw inspiration from someone else’s floriculture, the Eastern Cape calls on all gardenistas and nature-lovers to experience the blooming best.
CELEBRATE SPRING IN THE EASTERN CAPE WITH THESE FESTIVALS
HOGSBACK SPRING CELEBRATION, AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCPAE
Known for fairies, waterfalls, mist, magic and incredibly green forest, the Hogsback Garden Club invites the public to visit their beautiful gardens and explore a wide variety of exotic plants. There are guided and self-guided tours available between 5 and 27 October 2019 and the highlight is the Spring Celebration Weekend (11-13 October) at The Edge Mountain Resort where there will be a night market, garden talks and workshops, a flower exhibition, artisanal food and gift stalls, live music as well as garden accessories and azaleas, roses and speciality plants on sale. Don’t miss out on the chance to visit the lush greenery in the Hogsback Arboretum; it houses a garden of trees from all over the world, including five Californian Redwoods that are more than a century old. The Hogsback Arboretum is also the gateway to the 39 Steps Waterfall. The 2019 Hogsback Spring Celebration takes place from 11 to 13 October.
BEDFORD GARDEN FESTIVAL, KAROO HEARTLAND
If there is one thing you should know about the small community of Bedford, it's that the residents are green-finger magicians in everything from perfectly manicured and landscaped show-gardens to kitchen and veggie gardens. The Bedford Garden Festival is a plant celebration where visitors get the opportunity to attend workshops, explore the country roads and view lush private gardens while farms open their doors to the public to serve refreshments, light lunches. In the town itself, you can visit the SA Rosarium, home to a collection of preserved rose genetics or the nursery at Eagle Hout, stroll around the country market while enjoying good food, art and heaps of creativity. The 2019 Bedford Garden Festival will be held from 18 to 20 October.
Image: My Karoo Life
ADDO ROSE FAYRE, ADDO
There’s more to Addo than just elephants, the area is also known for its roses. The Addo Rose Fayre (not to be confused with the old Addo Rose Show) offers visitors the chance to spend a relaxing day in the countryside with a farmer’s market, activities for kids, live entertainment and some craft beer, gin and wine on the side. Of course, roses play an important role in the fayre and there will be roses for sale, garden tours available (booking essential) and interesting flower décor from local gardens. The 2019 Addo Rose Fayre will be held on the 12th of October at the Valentine Hall (in Valentine Road) in Addo.
EXPERIENCE AND STROLL THROUGH THE NATURAL GARDENS OF THE EASTERN CAPE
SACRAMENTO TRAIL, NELSON MANDELA BAY
Pack a few snacks, grab a water bottle and take to the Sacramento Hiking Trail; it is free, dog-friendly (on the coastal section) and, with several swimming spots along the way, you have an open invitation to take a dip on a hot summer’s day. The trail is known for its beautiful wildflowers, dune vegetation and fynbos. The views are gorgeous and there's always the possibility of spotting dolphins in the waves. What’s not to like?
Image: Janet Middleton
VAN STADENS WILDFLOWER RESERVE, KOUGA
Escape into the floral wonderland of the Eastern Cape and explore the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve, situated between Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay. Proclaimed in 1951 as a wildflower reserve, the area boasts different terrains, each with unique vegetation. Between the Afromontane forest and grassy fynbos there is a wide variety of trees, bulbs, pelargoniums, perennials, proteas, shrubs and succulents to be discovered on one of the various walking trails in the 500 hectare reserve. There are also picnic areas, mountain bike routes and braai spots that can be enjoyed.
Image: Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism
If plants – or cacti to be more specific – tickle your fancy, then a visit to the Obesa Cacti Nursery in Graaff Reinet can’t be missed. What began as a hobby and passion grew into one of the largest private collections of cacti and succulents in the world. On the piece of land that stretches over 10 hectares, you’ll find about 7000 species that are water-wise, low maintenance and don't ask much other than plenty of sunlight and the occasional downpour. Obesa Cacti Nursery is open to the public; you can take a stroll through the collection and purchase plants as well. The rare and protected species, however, are not for sale, simply there for your viewing pleasure and conservation purposes.
Image: Janet Middleton
The second oldest botanical garden in South Africa and a national monument, Makana Botanical Gardens is the green heart in the middle of Makana, formerly known as Grahamstown. Established in 1853, it is home to a great number of interesting exotic species of plants rooted in European history as well as plants indigenous to the area. With many small trails through the gardens, it has become the official venue for the Makana Parkrun, and twitchers can grab their binoculars as the area is home to more than 160 bird species.
KWELERA NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, WILD COAST
The Kwelera National Botanical Garden, situated in East London, between Gonubie and the Kwelera River, is South Africa’s 10th national botanical garden and the first of its kind in the Eastern Cape. Although still in its developing phase and not open to the public, it forms part of the Kwelera Coastal Nature Reserve and is classified as a conservation garden that will promote education in biodiversity. There are plans in place to develop the area into a landscaped garden with a Xhosa medicinal garden, an indigenous nursery and even hiking trails. According to curator Leanne Kessler, the proposed dates for the completion of the landscaped section, and when it will be opened to the public, is either 2021 or 2022. That's something to look forward to!
WHERE IN THE EASTERN CAPE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO?
AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE │WILD COAST │ADDO │TSITSIKAMMA
KAROO HEARTLAND │ROUTE 72 │KOUGA
