Storm's River Mouth

I have been wanting to return to the Garden Route National Park to share this beautiful part of the world with my kids for a few years now. Although they are still too young to do the Otter Trail I knew they would love the scenery and surroundings. It is really a nature lover’s paradise.

Dramatic scenery at Storm’s River Mouth

We spent a wonderful long weekend there with family and enjoyed the lilo adventure up the gorge. I didn’t want to risk my camera falling in the water so unfortunately I don’t have any pics of that experience!

Suspension bridge

We enjoyed the hike to suspension bridge as well as the short Lourie Trail inside the Storms River Mouth Restcamp. Some of the more energetic also did the Waterfal hike which is the first part of the Otter Trail. See further trail information on the SANParks website .

One of the highlights of the trip was finding and interacting with a beautiful Octopus as well as several starfish in one of the rock pools. We enjoyed watching whales, birdwatching and even spotted an otter.
The beautiful forests are an experience in themselves and I loved seeing the natural beauty and vegetation. Because the reserve is in a protected area you don’t see any ships on the ocean and the natural environment is pristine.

Inquisitive Octopus

We visited the Big Tree just off the N2 highway where a lovely forest walk leads you to the impressive tree. The Outeniqua Yellowwood boasts an age of over 1000 years, height of 36 metres, main trunk length of 18.3 metres, crown spread of 33 metres and average circumference of 8.5 metres.

We had an amazing visit to the beautiful part of South Africa and look forward to visiting again whenever we get another chance!

Benvie Gardens, Midlands

Tucked away along a dirt track in the mountains of Karkloof in the Midlands is a magical forest filled  with flowers and birdsong. The trees reach up to the sky and you feel as if you are transported to another world. It is a garden flowing with Azaleas, Hydrangeas, Camellias and other shade loving plants and the circular walk around its perimeter encourages you to come up close to these botanical beauties.

Trees

The garden is a generous 31 hectares in size and consists of a wide selection of species and impressive trees that make you feel very small because of their size and stature. If you contemplate the life of a tree and how stoic, steadfast and sure it stands for so many years (some of these trees are over a hundred years old) it makes you consider your life and its brevity. There is something very contemplative about spending time around these majestic monuments.

History

The founder John Geekie (1836- 1908) came from Dundee Scotland and settled in Pietermartizburg in 1860. He because a successful businessman and was able to realise his dream of recreating his garden in Scotland by purchasing the farm “Nooitgedacht”. He imported seeds, seedlings and plants from around the world. The imported stock travelled by boat to Durban Harbour and was then taken by rail to Merrivale before finally being driven by ox wagon up to Benvie.

Seeds and seedlings were imported from Howdens & Co in Inverness, Scotland while further seedlings of Conifer trees, Fruit trees and Hydrangeas came from Berkman’s Nursery in Georgia, USA. He received the nucleus stock of Azaleas, Camellias and Rhododendrons from the Botanical Gardens in Durban. During this time he requested the help of his relative Bill Marriott, who had worked at Kew Gardens, to assist him with the garden layout and planning. He began planting the garden around 1889 and it took him 6 years to establish. All trees were planted to the required distance apart to enable them to grow to their full capacity.

Birds

If you are a birdwatcher you may have already heard of this location as it is where the seldom spotted Orange Ground Thrush can be seen. Benvie has the most dense population of the Orange Ground Thrush in South Africa.

Visiting the Garden

The garden is open to the public for certain times of the year and the generous lawns allow for lovely picnics. It is best to call them ahead of the time to check if it is open. An entrance fee is charged (check for latest rates). The Rhododendron come into flower between October and December and this is an especially beautiful time to visit. The Clivias start flowering in the first week of September.

A signboard encased in glass depicts the history of the garden and even shows the receipt for some of the plants purchased. Maintenance is an ongoing process and includes collecting seeds and propagating them from the existing trees in the garden and replanting when older trees are removed. The property is still maintained by the Geekie family with the 6th generation now enjoying their time at Benvie.

This garden is a delight for anyone who appreciates botanical beauty and is definitely something to put on your list of places to visit! ~ G.S.

Contact: John and Jenny Robinson 082 443 3805

Facebook: @BenvieOpenGarden

Directions from the N3 at Howick:

Take either the Midmar Dam or Tweedie turnoff. Both these roads lead to Howick. Travel along Main Street through Howick until you reach the Rietvlei/Karkloof Road. Continue on tar until road becomes gravel. Your next landmark will be the Mbona gate on your right. Carry straight on as you wind up the hill. Look for the 32 km stone. Then turn right onto the New Hanover/York Road which is signposted. Travel downhill for 3 kilometres. Turn left onto District Road 583. Benvie is signposted at this point and the home is 200m away.

Treeshop - Indigenous Tree Nursery

I met Piet and Sandra at their nursery north of Pretoria one Friday morning. Piet was six metres up a tall ladder busy welding a steel structure (new shade structures) while Sandra was walking through the farm keeping track of orders and attending to client requests. Piet and Sandra are both nature enthusiasts who love birdwatching, hiking and travelling South Africa. It is through their passion for the bush that Piet’s hobby of growing trees started. Both look fit and energetic and once they start talking about their business their passion and enthusiasm is contagious.

Piet explained how he presented a course at the University to engineering graduates preparing them for working in the corporate environment. One of the modules taught that when you start working you should have a retirement plan in place for when you reach the end of your working career. The theory explains that you should “start a hobby that you enjoy that can become a stream of income when you retire” and so Piet decided to put the theory that he taught into practice.

Sandra took me through the well organised Nursery - a treasure trove of Indigenous Trees

Piet took a percentage of his retirement savings and invested it towards the tree growing business which originally only started as a hobby. Sandra explains that his first seedlings were grown on the covered patio of their home in Vanderbijlpark. It is from here that they developed the business for a period of 12 years while Piet was still employed. During this period they purchased the farm where the nursery is now established. When Piet retired they moved to Pretoria where he was able to focus all his energy to further develop the farm, automate some of the tree cultivation processes and expand Treeshop’s species offer. Piet uses his engineering background to design new technology that benefits the business – from growing seedlings in trays made with 3D printing technology to building new greenhouses.

The new shade structures under construction

Sandra has a vast knowledge about all the trees and plants that they grow

The nursery is continuously expanding and through Piet and Sandra’s passion and dedication it is also innovating as they aim to become the best supplier of indigenous trees in Southern Africa. It boasts a wide range of indigenous trees of varying sizes and they are specifically attempting to grow trees that are not easily available in cultivation because they are either difficult to grow or find.

Pittosporum viridiflorum (Cheesewood)

Rothmannia globosa (September Bells)

The nursery also includes a bonsai range and it is amazing to see miniature versions of indigenous trees. They have also positioned themselves as forerunners in the market for growing potted trees. These are ideal if you have limited space or if you want to enjoy indigenous trees in situations that would otherwise be impossible to plant such as patios, balconies or small gardens.

Potted Trees are ideal for difficult to grow situations

Most of the trees that they grow are adapted to the climatic conditions of the Highveld, although some are from warmer parts of the country (eg. Albizia, Commiphora, Sterculia). However, the farm receives temperatures of -4 so they are exposed to colder conditions. Always check frost sensitivity of a tree before deciding to plant it.

If you need help choosing indigenous plants or trees for your garden have a look at the ebook I have written at ebook.sproutlandscapes.co.za. The e-book will guide you to decide what steps to take for your own garden in a simple and encouraging way. There are several plant palettes to help you make correct plant choices including shrubs for screening, trees for screening, and planting in sunny or shady conditions.

Combretum hereroense (Russet Bushwillow)

Most of the trees that Treeshop grow can be seen on their website but they also grow more unusual species so if you are looking for something specific it would be best to contact them directly to enquire.

Treeshop Nursery sells quality indigenous trees directly to the public and people can purchase through their website www.indigenoustrees.online or by emailing Sandra.

A variety of tree sizes are available - these Ilex mitis (Cape Holly) trees are in 200l. bags

3Bushketeers Wholesale Nursery

3Bushketeers wholesale nursery is located near Brits, north of Hartbeespoort Dam, and grows a wide range of indigenous trees, shrubs and groundcovers as well as fruit trees. 3Bushketeers was established in 2006 by three partners, hence the play on words in the name.

Andries Botha, one of partners, is a passionate horticulturalist and took me on a tour of the nursery and the farm. He is extremely knowledgeable, not only about plants but also about the history of the area and if prompted will share stories about past warriors and wars from the surrounding region.

He explained that originally the nursery was established to provide unique indigenous trees “weird and wonderful, not just the same everyday stuff”, trees that were not easily available at the time. They also wanted to provide indigenous alternatives to the exotic plants that people were commonly using.

We still find that people are often unaware of the exciting indigenous options available to use and the benefits of planting indigenous plants. As you are probably aware, designing indigenous gardens is close to my heart, so if you are looking to upgrade your garden why not consider buying Sprout’s E-book which is a Guidebook for Homeowner’s to design their own indigenous gardens.

Andries in the Display Garden

Projects the Nursery is Involved In

3Bushketeers is involved in reforestation projects in KwaZulu Natal. The rehabilitation and reforestation relies on the education and involvement of local communities. Andries advocates that our environment is a natural resource that holds a lot of potential and value and if managed correctly can create economic opportunities, employment, food, tourism and other benefits. His involvement includes training and seed harvesting so that local indigenous plants can be conserved and used for the benefit of the community.

Several Growing Tunnels are used for growing nursery stock

Some Indigenous/Exotic alternatives:

Teclea gerrardii (Zulu Cherry-Orange) instead of Syzigium paniculatum (Brush Cherry)

Bolusanthus speciosus (Tree Wisteria) instead of Jacaranda mimosifolia (Jacaranda)

Cordia caffra (Septeeboom) instead of Betula alba (Silver Birch)

Cordyla africana (Wild Mango) instead of Caesalpinnia faurea (Leopard Tree) (check frost sensitivity before planting)

Thespesia acutiloba (Wild Tulip Tree) Instead of Hibiscus

Display Garden

3Bushketeers grow a wide range of indigenous trees and shrubs. On an open section of lawn next to the greenhouses they have planted several of these so that people can see established examples of mature specimens.

Some of the trees they grow and sell:

Afzelia quanzensis (Pod Mahogany) – Deciduous tree, frost sensitive. A tree with good shape can be obtained in about 7 years, with an attractive thick stem and spreading crown. Butterfly host tree.

Ataleya alata (Lebombo Kranz Ash) - small to medium-sized deciduous tree, with a sparsely branched crown

Acacia burkei (Black Monkey Thorn) - hardy, deciduous medium-sized tree with fissured bark and rounded crown. Beautiful shade tree, but can be slow growing. Attracts birds and insects.

Sideroxylon inerme (Milkplum) - small to medium evergreen tree more commonly found in coastal gardens, makes an excellent firebreak (SANBI)

Erythrina humeana (Dwarf Coral Tree) – shrub or small tree up to 3m high with long spikes of scarlet flowers.

Acokanthera oppositifolia (Bushman’s Poison) – woody shrub with dark green leaves growing up to 5m high. All parts of the plant are highly poisonous.

I love the image above that captures the simplicity and beauty of farm life.

So if you have any indigenous tree queries or if you are a landscaper looking to buy from a wholesale nursery Andries will be more than happy to help.

For further Information Contact:

Andries Botes 082 498 3321

info@3bushketeers.co.za

Other Nurseries I’ve visited:

Bristlecone Nursery

Gariep Succulent Nursery

Willow Feather Farm Nursery

Trees to fall in love with in the Cape

Amazing Camphor Forest to explore at Vergelegen Wine Estate

Trees are amazing - immovable, peaceful, serene, fearless, stoic, content, connected, grounded, complex and beautiful. Here are a few I enjoyed seeing on our holiday to the Cape in April:

The Camphor Forest at Vergelegen Wine Estate

These are really some of the most spectacular trees I have seen and a whole forest of them is something to witness. Visitors are able to enjoy classical picnics in the camphor forest from November - April by pre-booking (no private picnics). The five enormous camphor trees in front of the Homestead are over 300 years old and were planted by WIllem Adriaan van der Stel in 1700. (See previous post on Vergelegen as well as Vergelegen’s Website)

5 Enormous Trees in front of the Homestead at Vergelegen Estate

Royal Oak Tree at Vergelegen Wine Estate

Another beauty on the same estate is the Royal Oak which was planted in 1928 and was grown from one of the last acorns of King Alfred’s Oak at Blenheim Palace, England. It has an emormous crown diameter and stand majestically in the lawn. The plaque below the tree reads “Acorns from this tree were personally collected on 23rd of April 1947 by His Majesty King George VI for replanting in Windsor Park” as well as “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II unveiled this plaque on 21 March 1995 in commemoration of her visit to Vergelegen”. The oldest Oak tree to be recorded (planted around 1700) is a stone’s throw away but is not nearly as spectacular.

Ficus at Natte Valleij Wine Farm

I discovered this tree while we stayed at accommodation (the Hen House) on Natte Valleij wine farm in Stellenbosch. The wine farm is not very large or well known so the tree is a bit off the beaten track. The buttress roots are as thick as any average tree trunk and they snake their way across the ground like large limbs. The smooth grey roots are thick enough to sit on and we had fun jumping our way around the main trunk.

Trees at Newlands Forest

While many of these species are Pine trees there are clumps of indigenous vegetation along the hiking routes and if you are a tree lover you will appreciate any beautiful tree whether they are exotic or indigneous.

Also worth visiting is The Company Gardens in the city centre where an enormous Rubber Tree can be seen as well as several other historic and beautiful trees. There are so many more to talk about, some we pass by each day without really noticing them. Open your eyes to the wonder all around you!