Montagu Herb Festival

We visited the quaint town of Monatgu in the Western Cape over the Heritage day weekend in September this year. Montagu is situated in the Breede River Valley at the foot of the majestic Langeberg mountains and surrounded by beautiful fynbos vegetation, lush vineyards and fruit orchards. It is known for its location on the famous Route 62 and for the numerous outdoor activities on offer including hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking. Interestingly Montagu boasts the most number of national monuments in one street than any other town in the country and the town has a rich cultural and architectural history.

 While the main aim of our visit was to have a relaxing getaway (i.e. fun-filled girls weekend) in a beautiful part of the country, we discovered much to our delight, that it serendipitously coincided with the annual Montagu Herb Festival or Kruiefees.

Exploring Montagu

Doing the Scavenger Hike by Bike!

The Herb Festival is in it’s 4th year of existence and is organised by the Montagu Museum which has a long standing history of documenting knowledge about medicinal plants. Since I love all things botanical this was an event I was so excited to experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The festival included: exhibitions, cooking demos, workshops, plant discovery walks and enlightening talks on medicinal herbs, mushrooms, and healing traditions.

The Fynbos Healing Plant Discovery Walk was on Sunday morning

I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the local flora on the Fynbos walk with Liana Muller from Fijn Botanicals. She shared on the medicinal and healing properties of the plants in the area that she uses to create Botanical perfumes, creams and other skin products.

Liana Jansen from Fijn Botanicals sharing her knowledge about the Fynbos plants she uses in her products

We also enjoyed the Herb Walk in the Montagu Nature Garden with curator Hugo de Wet and Patti van Dyk. The Nature Garden is an indigenous wildflower reserve with plants of the Klein Karoo and contains numerous walking trails which offer lovely views of the town below as you make your way up the hill.   

Hiking through the Montagu Nature Garden

Montagu Nature Garden

The exhibition at the Montagu Museum consisted of companies that make use of botanical products and included the following: Canna Gold, Chivas Oils, Dagga Farmacy, Earthwell Pet Products, Eporia, Fell Flora, Fijn Botanicals, Folio Books, Gentle Rain Traditional Healing, Greyton Candles, Grow Folk, Indikaap, Karoo Mantis, Khoe Cure, Montagu Museum Herbs, Shop@Yamu Botanicals and Therapeutic Naturals.

See image of Herb Festival Program for 2024:

 I had just walked through fynbos for a few hours - studying and learning about the medicinal plants of this region - so when I saw dried plants in jars on the table of Khoe Cure I wanted to try them out for myself. I bought their Herbal Tonic which contains the following plants: Sutherlandia frutescens, Artemesia afra, Dicoma capensis, Lobostemon fruticosus, Agathosma, Aucalyptus globulus, Bulbine natalensis, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Tulbaghia violacea, Chrysocoma ciliata, Cissampelos, Clychrrhiza glabra and Cannabis. The tonic has a strong garlic taste from the Tulbaghia violacea, which makes it a bit hard to swallow, but Megan suggested I mix it with tonic water and that has definitely helped.

While there are certainly many beautiful accommodation options in the area I highly recommend the self-catering cottage we stayed in called Exhale Cottage. The cottage is well equipped and in the most breathtakingly beautiful location. The hosts were incredibly gracious and generous and went out of their way to make our stay unforgettable. Here are some pics of our accommodation:

We had a really memorable weekend!

Montagu's Herb Festival is a must-visit for anyone who is interested in medicinal plants or who just wants to enjoy the beautiful scenery and relaxed atmosphere of this charming town.

Some reference links: 

https://montagumuseum.co.za/

https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/montagu-route-62

https://www.south-africa-info.co.za/country/town/227/montagu

Denver Botanical Gardens, Colorado

I was incredibly impressed with the Denver Botanical Gardens located in York Street, Denver, Colorado, when I had the privilege of visiting the USA in July. I had no idea a Botanical Gardens could have such a variety of activities and opportunities available. I thought if I ever lived in Denver someday, I would love to work at this place! The love of all things Botanical is tangible.

Four Towers Pool next to Science Pyramid

Denver Botanic Gardens Facilities

Typically, people spend 2.5 hours at the Denver Botanical Gardens and it is not surprise why - there is so much to see! The Gardens not only provide a wide variety of incredible plants to view and enjoy (exploring the gardens is amazing) but they also host Art Exhibitions; a Science and Research Centre is connected to the Gardens; the Helen Fowler Library offers books related to horticulture; there is a school of Botanical Art and Illustration; a coffee shop and they even screen movies!

The Gardens established Denver Botanic Films in 2021 to create yet another powerful bridge between people and the rest of nature. By telling stories about the special relationship between humans and plants, we hope to educate and inspire.

You really do feel inspired after a visit to this place and I love how they focus on education and the appreciation of art. I really enjoyed the art exhibitions that were on display.

Orangery

Exploring the Gardens

The Gardens have a large selection of interesting spaces to explore - it would be best to consult the map and decide which areas you want to prioritize. I started from the Visitors Centre and moved in an anti-clockwise direction trying to take in as much as I could. This includes Gardens of the West, Internationally inspired Gardens, Ornamental Gardens, Shady Gardens and Water Gardens. Every area you walk into is a sensory delight. Colours, textures, sounds and sculptures combine to create memorable and beautiful moments. Water is also present throughout the Gardens adding movement and creating a sense of calm and serenity.

Water runs throughout the Gardens

There are bees and butterflies throughout the garden - I spotted this dragonfly who was happy to be photographed

I think this was my favourite part of the Garden (a tough decision) - The Monet Pond. Before I took the photos the water was perfectly still and reflected the sky, beautifully ordained with colourful waterlilies.

The Monet Pool is our largest water garden and features a stunning collection of aquatic plants including hardy and tropical waterlilies, Victoria waterlilies, pickerel plants, cannas, iris and more. Peak bloom occurs from June through September each year. An annual Water Blossom Festival is held in early August.

Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory

This enormous greenhouse makes you feel like you are in a tropical rainforest. I spotted several plants I recognised that are commonly grown in the Lowveld with its tropical climate, including Heliconia (Lobster Claws) and several orchid varieties.

Dedicated in 1966 and awarded Denver Landmark Status in 1973, the Tropical Conservatory is one of the world’s most unique displays of exotic plants from tropical and subtropical regions. Midway on a circular path is a fabricated two-story banyan tree that offers a multi-layered view of the indoor tropical forest.

Helen Fowler Library

I really wanted to highlight this aspect of the Gardens as I think it is such an important contribution and really admire the connection of the Library to the Gardens and the legacy that Helen Fowler left. How I would love to have access to a facility like this!

The Helen Fowler Library holds a significant collection of botanical and horticultural materials about the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world. The library supports research at the Gardens as well as community interests. The collection of approximately 25,000 titles includes subjects such as:

• Gardening, horticulture, botany, agriculture and landscaping

• Colorado native plants and world flora

• Botanical art and illustration

• Medical botany, ethnobotany, plant lore, plant pests and diseases

• A large selection of children’s books, fiction and DVDs

Visitors are encouraged to peruse the shelves, research within the Helen Fowler Library and ask questions of library staff and volunteers during open hours. (all text in italics taken from website)

If you ever get the opportunity to visit the Denver Botanical Gardens, I would highly recommend it!

For further information visit www.botanicgardens.org

~ G.S

J-Bay Shell Museum

If your children love collecting shells from the beach as much as mine do then this is a lovely outing if you are visiting Jeffrey’s Bay. The Shell Museum is managed by the Humansdorp Museum Association and supported by Kouga Municipality. The museum houses a treasure trove of beautiful shells on display in large glass cabinets. A small gift shop sells shell memorabilia, and my daughter was thrilled to buy a box completely decorated in shells. These tiny shells are called micro shells and although fully grown they are tiny in size. The unique collection of micro shells on display was put together by Philip Steenkamp and Tana Kruger with the help of Alwyn Marais from Shell Collectors of South Africa.

History of the Shell Museum

View fullsize

View fullsize

These shell houses were made by the late Mr. Hattingh and even have small furniture and people inside the houses.

Our visit was not long but definitely memorable. I love seeing natural history being celebrated and preserved for future generations. ~ G.S

Everard Read Art Gallery on Keyes Art Mile, Rosebank

The Everard Read Art Gallery is located on what is know as the ‘Keyes Art Mile’ and is surrounded be several other art destinations. The Circa Art Gallery is directly over the road, the building an artwork in itself, while the Goodman Gallery and Gallery MOMO are both a few kilometres away.

While driving down the one way street of Keyes Avenue it is hard to miss the Green Wall Façade on the right hand side as part of St Teresa’s School. Here is a link to an article written about this Project by Johan Wentzel from Wildflower Nursery who assisted in selecting the plant species, all of which are endemic (only locally found) to the Highveld. All species are found in the Egoli Granite Grassland Vegetation Type and would have been likely to be found in the area before the urban intervention of city development.

My visit also reminded me of the last botanical art exhibition I went to at this gallery (In May 2018) and I rediscovered the notes I took at one of the evening lectures I attended by Reinier Tereblanche on Butterflies. What stood out for me was the interdependence of butterflies and plants and reminded me again how important it is to plant indigenous and create gardens with diversity. Did you know there are 660 species of Butterfly in South Africa, second only to the tropics. This lecture was actually where I first heard about Tswalu Foundation.

As I love all things botanical I was keen to view the current botanical art exhibition by Gillian Condy. I had the privilege of seeing Gillian Condy in action when I did a botanical art course at The Cavern with Elsa Pooley which they run annually (See Post about The Cavern Here). Gillian is a renown botanical artist and she was appointed Artists in Residence (AiR) at the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve and made eight trips to the reserve over 14 months to illustrate the plants.

The exhibition is a beautiful reflection of the natural flora of the Tswalu reserve and really highlights the beauty, intricacy and marvel you can find in nature. It also reminded me that the Pangolin is one of the animals on the endangered list that few people know about. I remember growing up someone brought one in to my Dad’s veterinary practice and he called us to specially come see it. I don’t think I appreciated at the time what a rare event it was to see this animal.

The first time my friend and I tried to visit the gallery there was a production on in Circa which is where the botanical art is on display so we explored the Brett Murray exhibition in the Everard Read building, followed by a delicious coffee and croissant at L’Atelier Bakery. The second time we visited I brought my two kids along (3 and 6 yrs) and to make it more exciting for them I drew up a scavenger hunt with photos so that they had things to find and discover (attached at the end if you want to take your kids). We explored the galleries followed by another visit to L’Atelier Bakery for their amazing pastries. I will need to find another excuse to visit again!

L’ Atelier Bakery

I was very moved by the exhibition by John Meyer of iconic moments in Nelson Mandela’s life and think that those paintings are an incredible reminder of what an amazing leader he was and what he did for our country. I highly recommend you visit Circa over the next while, not only to see the beautiful botanical artworks but also the stunning images of Nelson Mandela by John Meyer.

https://lifeofmandela.com/about-the-collection/

Other Relevant links:

https://www.everard-read.co.za/

https://keyesartmile.co.za/ 

https://lifeofmandela.com/events-and-exhibitions/nelson-mandela-johannesburg-exhibition/



University of Pretoria - Roosmaryn

Roosmaryn Concept Phase Plan

Brief

The site was identified by the University of Pretoria as an area to be allocated for students to spill out into from the large adjacent Thuto lecture hall and have a stong connection to this building even though it is separated by a vehicular road. The site also needed to respect the heritage building called Roosmaryn on its boundary.  There were existing trees but otherwise the site was bare and the soil exposed as seen by the images below:

Stormwater

Civil Consult was appointed as the consulting engineer to address the inadequate stormwater infrastructure as the site often experienced flooding. The area serves as a catchment for water surface run-off from several adjacent parking lots and paved areas. Permeable paving options were investigated but the ultimate decision taken was to use an underwater catchpit (infiltration trench) that releases water into the surrounding soil over time with overflow going into the existing stormwater system.

Site Leveling - During Construction

Circulation

The primary focus of the design was to improve circulation through and across the site and in this way the site becomes a node for students to stop and pause while on their way to their destination. It is close to an important entrance at Prospect Street which is the main access from Hatfield and formalised pathways are used to create connections along existing desire lines.

Creating a raised pedestrian crossing over the road to connect the site to Thuto came at the expense of several parking bays, but this was an important decision as this area was meant to be strongly linked to the Thuto building and allow for easy access between these areas.

New Pedestrian Crossing Built over the Road - Improving Connections

Social Spaces

The next important requirement was to create ‘social learning spaces’ for students to sit and interact. Students are encouraged to stop, rest, study, socialise and use this space as their own through use of the seating walls, paved area and lawn area. The paved area includes a giant chess set so a game of chess can also be enjoyed in between classes. The irony that this project was built to encourage student interaction and connection during a time when social distancing is being encouraged does not escape me. I do hope that the future holds opportunities for humans to interact with one another in outdoor spaces and share the joy of being in a beautiful outdoor environment.

Seating Wall with Chess Board in Paving

UP Containers

Three concrete plinths were built to activate certain areas of the site. These were built for custom designed storage containers that will serve as wifi hotspots and shelters where students can charge their laptops or cellphones. The containers are still to be installed.

Vegetation

All existing trees were maintained and incorporated into the design. Only a few new trees, namely Caledendron capense, were included which will create a unique atmosphere once mature and in flower. Several shrubs were included to create a diverse landscape that has a variety of foliage and texture such as Burchelia bubalina, Syncolostemon densiflorus, Leonotis leonorus, Bauhinia natalensis and Rhus burchelli . Anisodontea scabrosa was selected to compliment the Roosmaryn building as well as ‘softer’ plants such as Agapanthus and Scabiosa. Existing shaded areas were planted with Carissa ‘Green Carpet’, Hypoestes aristata, Plectranthus spp, Orthosiphon labiatus and Barleria ‘Rosea’.

A grass mix was used in the area that receives sun and is located behind a seating wall for when it looks less attractive during winter. The grassland plants were incorporated to provide an opportunity for the University to see how this type of landscaping can work on campus, learn maintenance techniques and also to provide education for the students. Landscaping with grasses is a relevant landscaping style and this was an opportunity to showcase the beauty of South African grasses and grassland species. Some of the species included Eragrostis gummiflua, Dimorphotheca jucunda, Melinis nerviglumis, Andropogon eucomis, Aristida junciformis, Pelargonium sidoides and Helichrysum umbraculigerum.

Future Overlays

The project lays an important foundation of circulation and structure for further activity layers to be superimposed onto it. It is hoped that future art installations, events and food trucks planned for the site will bring a send of fun and vibrancy that will enrich the students experience at the University. I will post more photographs of this project once the plants have established in a few months time.

Activities to do with your kids (in the Garden) during Lockdown

If you've been feeling depressed while being stuck indoors the last few rainy days and can't wait for some sunshine to play outside again then this post is for you. Many of us are lucky to have gardens to spend time in, but if you're living in an apartment or complex hopefully there is still an outdoor space you can visit to get some fresh air and sunshine. Spending time outdoors and experiencing the beauty of nature can do wonders for boosting positivity and general health and happiness.

1. Lawn Games

If you have a patch of grass the games you can play are endless. From ball games like soccer or cricket to games that get the blood flowing like catchers, stuck in the mud, one legged races, pretending to be lawn mowers by holding legs, somersaults, hand stands, obstacle courses, balancing as well as the calmer options: counting blades of grass, searching for ants (see Bug Hunt below) cloud gazing and hide and seek.

2. Autumn leaves

This time of year marks a change of season and no doubt there will be a tree or two in your garden losing its leaves. Use this as an activity where you sweep or rake the leaves together, bag and add to the compost heap but before you do that choose some of the most beautiful ones for crafts.

3. Crafts

Here are a few simple crafts I've enjoyed doing with my kids (aged 2 and 5) you can always vary it according to skills levels and find other ideas on the internet: Bark/leaf prints, Flower petal mosaic, Stick men, Cross for Palm Sunday and Easter. Half the fun was gathering the material and roaming the garden searching for sticks, bark, leaves of all shapes, colours and sizes and picking flowers. I must say that I really enjoyed playing around with shapes and designs using the materials, a fun exercise in creativity for all ages!

4. Flowers

I know it can be heartbreaking when all the flowers get picked off the plants in your garden, but this is part of the reason you have a garden- for it to be enjoyed! Flowers can be pressed and used to make cards, put in a vase in the home, used to make flower crowns, used for crafts, used to teach your child about the anatomy of the flower, placed on water to see how it floats.

5. Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of things to find (5 to 10 things should be fine, again varies on age of children) I find using colour a bit easier (Find something Red, Green, Pink, Yellow and Brown) Or finding specific items (An autumn leaf, a stone, a stick, a flower, a feather, treasure, a seed) Easter Egg hunts in the Garden are also always a big hit!

6. Bug Hunt

Set out on an expedition to find as many different bugs as you can. Lift stones or logs to see what grubs are hiding below them. Visit forgotten parts of the garden. Look for snails, lizards, ants, worms, spiders and birds. I also love doing bird-watching by trying to see how many different species you can spot on one day, listening to the different bird calls, feeding the birds, sketching birds in the garden and searching for feathers.

7. Picnic

We are all looking for a change of scenery and the perfect one is to have a picnic or tea party in the garden. Invite all the teddy bears and use plastic tea sets filled with water. Bake some special treats for the occasion. Or have a baking craft like Marie Biscuit decorating with sprinkles for some extra fun.

8. Plan a Vegetable Garden

Find an area in your garden that you can dedicate to a Vegetable Garden and start thinking how you can create this. Involve your kids in the design and discuss raised planters, compost and which herbs and vegetables you might like to include. Then when the lockdown is over you can buy these plants at a nursery and put your plan into action.

8 Beautiful Indigenous Trees for a Small Garden

Every garden needs beautiful trees to create spaces within the garden and to provide screening, shade and habitat for birds and animals. Trees add foliage, colour and interest to the garden as well as add character and atmosphere. There are so many beautiful indigenous trees to choose from! Here is a list of some of my favourite ones that can be used in a small to medium sized garden:

Information for Trees sourced from Random Harvest Indigneous Nursery

1. Heteropyxis natalensis (Lavender Tree)

Heteropyxis natalensis is a hardy, slender, upright, narrow, semi-deciduous tree with truly beautiful, pale creamy bark that, with age, develops beautiful apricot coloured patches on it. The leaves are pale green, shiny and waxy and when crushed smell strongly of lavender. In autumn they turn red or purple and depending on how cold it is, hold onto them for winter and drop them a few weeks before the new tender green leaves appear. It bears small clusters of yellowish, sweetly scented flowers, from September to March, which attract butterflies and other insects. Ideal tree for small gardens. It is particularly beautiful planted in groves and also makes a good container plant. The leaves can be used for herbal tea and potpourri and most parts of the tree are used medicinally.

Size 4 to 8m

Size: Small to Medium, Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Semi-Deciduous, Frost Hardiness: Fairly Hardy,  Position: Full Sun, Soil: Loamy Soil, Shape: Columnar, Medicinal: Medicinal,  Drought Hardiness: Drought Resistant

Heteropyxis natalensis (Lavender Tree)

2. Dais cotinifolia (Pompon Tree)

Dais cotinifolia is a very hardy, fast growing, deciduous, small tree with attractive slightly blue green leaves. In spring it has scattered pink leaves in the crown adding to the interest. It bears masses of very showy, fragrant pink, pom-pom like flowers that attract a whole host of birds and insects from November to February. It begins flowering whilst still young. Popular garden subject for sun or semi-shade. Ideal for small gardens and containers. Size 2 to 7m

Size: Small to Medium, Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Deciduous , Frost Hardiness: Frost Hardy, Position: Full Sun, Position: Semi-shade, Soil: Loamy Soil, Soil: Well-drained, Shape: Oval, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Garden Uses: Specimen,  Drought Hardiness: Drought Hardy

Dais cotinifolia (Pompon Tree)

3. Dombeya rotundifolia (Wild Pear)

Dombeya rotundifolia is a very hardy, deciduous, drought and fire resistant, upright tree. It has round, leathery, rough leaves, and attractive, rough, fissured bark which is utilized by Woodpeckers. This is one of the first trees to bloom in spring where it stands out on the bare hillsides in snowy white patches. Showy clusters of sweetly scented white flowers start blooming in profusion on the bare branches in July and continue well into September before the leaves appear. The flowers dry beautifully and can be used for pot potpourri. It is a good bird, insect and butterfly tree. It has a non-aggressive root system which makes it an ideal tree for a small garden. It is quite fast growing and can be planted in sun or semi-shade as a specimen tree or as an element of a wildlife garden. Used medicinally. Size 3 to 5m.

Size: Small to Medium, Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Deciduous , Frost Hardiness: Frost Hardy,  Position: Full Sun, Position: Semi-shade, Soil: Loamy Soil, Soil: Well-drained, Medicinal: Medicinal, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Garden Uses: Specimen, Drought Hardiness: Drought Hardy

Dombeya rotundifolia (Wild Pear)

4. Nuxia floribunda (Forest Elder)

Nuxia floribunda is a hardy, evergreen, fast-growing, neat and attractive tree that is quite small in drier conditions, but if its roots find water it can get quite big. Pale grey, smooth bark contrasts beautifully with the glossy, dark-green leaves that turn quite purple in winter. Its huge heads of showy, sweetly-scented, white flowers cover the tree from May to September. The flowers attract a whole host of small pollinating insects, moths and butterflies that in turn attract birds. It has many magical and medicinal uses. It grows well in a container, and is also a lovely tree with which to create a small forested area in the garden. Plant in either full sun or semi-shade and water regularly. Size: 3 to 10m

Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen, Frost Hardiness: Frost Hardy, Position: Full Sun, or Semi-shade, Soil: Loamy Soil,  Well-drained, Medicinal: Medicinal, Garden Uses: Container Plant, Garden Uses: Form Plant, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Garden Uses: Specimen,  Drought Hardiness: Needs Watering

Nuxia floribunda (Forest Wild Elder)

5. Mundelea sericea (Cork Bush)

Mundulea serica is a very hardy, semi-deciduous, decorative, large shrub that always stands out in its natural habitat of grassland and rock. The fissured corky bark is a protection against fires which are frequent in its habitat. It has blue-grey leaves that are covered in silvery hairs giving the whole shrub a silvery look. It has gorgeous, dense pendulous bunches of deep mauve, pea-shaped flowers from October to February that attract masses of birds coming to sip on the nectar as well as a myriad of insects. With its robust, neat shape and corky bark, it makes a good accent plant but needs well-drained soil. It is host plant to two butterfly species. Traditionally used as a fish poison. The bark and roots have medicinal and magical qualities and crushed leaves are used to bleach hair. Lovely tree with non-aggressive roots for a small, sunny garden.

Growth Rate: Slow Growing, Frost Hardiness: Frost Hardy, Plant Type: Shrub, Plant Type: Tree, Soil: Sandy Soil, Poisonous: Poisonous, 

Mundelea sericea (Cork Bush)

6. Tabernaemontana elegans (Toad Tree)

Tabernaemontana elegans is a hardy, deciduous, upright small tree that has beautiful, large, shiny, dark green leaves and a lovely rounded shape. The clusters of beautiful white flowers are sweetly scented and borne from October to February and attract bees to the garden. These are followed by interesting, large, paired fruits with raised, corky dots like the skin of a toad, hence the common name. These lovely fruits split to reveal seeds covered with bright orange pulp. The fruits are edible. The thick, brown corky bark protects the tree from fire. An ideal tree for a container or small garden, planted in sun or semi-shade. Used medicinally. Size 3 to 5m

Size: Small, Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Deciduous , Frost Hardiness: Frost Hardy,  Position: Full Sun, Position: Semi-shade, Soil: Loamy Soil, Edible: Edible, Garden Uses: Container Plant, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Garden Uses: Specimen,  Drought Hardiness: Drought Resistant

Tabernaemontana elegans (Toad Tree)

7. Apodytes dimidiata (White Pear)

Apodytes dimidiata is a hardy, evergreen, beautifully shaped, fairly fast growing tree with dense, glossy, dark green foliage. Densely clustered spikes of strongly scented, snow-white flowers that are borne from September to April, especially after good rains. The flowers attract many pollinating insects to the garden. The bees visit the flowers early in the morning when the scent is strongest. When there is a breeze the tiny petals are like confetti blowing around the garden. They are followed by very decorative bunches of black berries with a fleshy red ‘cap’ that attract birds to the garden. The trunk is white and, in older specimens, becomes patched with lichen. This tree makes a wonderful garden subject. Can be used as a small avenue tree, as a specimen in a small garden or create a forest effect by planting close together. Its wood is a beautiful pale pinky-brown. It also has many traditional uses. Size 5 to 10m

Size: Small to Medium, Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen, Frost Hardiness: Frost Hardy, Plant Type: Tree, Position: Full Sun, Position: Semi-shade, Position: Shade, Soil: Loamy Soil, Shape: Round, Garden Uses: Avenue Plant, Garden Uses: Screen Plant, Garden Uses: Specimen

Apodytes dimidiata (White Pear)

8. Bersama luscens (Glossy White Ash)

Bersama lucens is a fairly hardy, evergreen, small, compact tree with a well-developed crown and beautiful blotchy, wrinkled, grey bark. The young leaves are a brilliant glossy russet brown, turning dark green when mature. The small greenish white flowers, in long narrow heads, appear from September to June and are followed by green capsules that split to reveal scarlet seeds that attract birds. The bark is sought after in traditional medicine and this species is becoming increasingly rare.

It is a beautiful, decorative tree for a shady to semi-shady part of the garden. Protect from frost especially when young. Size 2 to 5m

Size: Small to Medium, Frost Hardiness: Protect when young, Plant Type: Tree, Position: Semi-shade, Position: Shade, Soil: Loamy Soil, Shape: Canopy, Conservation Status: Endangered, Conservation Status: Protected, Medicinal: Medicinal, Garden Uses: Shade, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Garden Uses: Specimen

Bersma luscens (Cape Glossy Ash)

Do you have any of these in your garden? Which are your favourite indigneous trees?

What Would Your Garden Look Like Around The World?

Garden design is more than just maintenance, it’s about self-expression and protecting cultural traditions. Around the world, different flowers and plants have different symbolic meanings. In some countries, the arrangement of a garden might also be symbolic or it might be for practical reasons such as the weather. Because of the varying climates across the world, different species of flower, plant and tree will grow and provide communities with different resources including food and styles of furniture. All these different features of a garden provide an insight into another lifestyle and culture. 

The team at 4 Everdeck have created the following infographic with information and images of the gardening habits and traditions followed by different countries around the world. The infographic provides insight into different cultures and might also give you some unique ideas for your own garden at home!

By Katherine Myers

What is a Professional Landscape Architect and How do I become one?

Firstly, let’s clarify what Landscape Architecture is: According the University of Pretoria’s description, “Landscape architecture is the science and art of the design of outside areas for the use and enjoyment of people. Parks, game reserves, recreational areas and marinas are only a few of the environments which the landscape architect designs. They create urban oases in the form of plazas and pedestrian routes, and design environments around shopping centres and residential developments. The landscape architect can join a private firm, start an own business, or accept employment in central, provincial or local government in departments that handle water usage and research, forestry, environmental matters, sport, recreational and fishing areas, and nature conservation.” (https://www.up.ac.za/faculty-of-education/yearbooks/2017/pdf/programme/12132019 accessed on 4 February 2019)

The first step to becoming a landscape architect is to study a course in landscape architecture at an accredited institution. At the moment in South Africa there are only two institutions that offer this course: the University of Pretoria offers a three year undergraduate programme (BSc LArch) and two year post graduate programme (BLHons and ML(Prof)) and the University of Cape Town offers a two year postgraduate programme (BLHons and ML(Prof)). Sadly, there is talk that the University of Pretoria is planning to close the undergraduate programme down.

Once you have completed the course you need to register as a candidate with SACLAP (South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession). SACLAP is the governing council that oversees the Landscape Architectural Profession. A candidate will then work under a mentor (registered professional landscape architect) for a number of years learning and gaining experience until they feel competent enough to write the professional exams. A portfolio also needs to be submitted and SACLAP will grade individuals and promote them from candidate landscape architects to professional landscape architects according to this assessment and their exam grades.

Once registered, a professional landscape architect is required to pay professional fees and submit CPD documentation on an annual basis. Certain projects can only be carried out by professional landscape architects.

Institutions to contact for further information:

• SACLAP

  http://saclap.org.za/

• ILASA

  https://www.ilasa.co.za/

• University of Pretoria

  https://www.up.ac.za/architecture

• University of Cape Town

  http://www.apg.uct.ac.za/apg/landscape-architecture