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Kirstenbosch botanical gardens
Cape Town's Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens,
a unique
collection of indigenous flora
One of the many "must see" attractions around
Cape Town is a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens to see the famous Proteas and other
indigenous flora of the unique Cape Floral Kingdom.
Once part of the property owned by South African mining magnate and businessman Cecil Rhodes
(1853-1902), Kirstenbosch is situated in one of the most beautiful locations in the country right
at the foot of the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.
The Kirstenbosch gardens are world renowned for its extensive and unique collection of
indigenous South African flora.
This is all outdoors, comprising a large variety of specimens of the Cape Floral Kingdom together
with patches of protected natural forest.
Inside the gardens there is also a huge glasshouse Conservatory, which is home to a large
variety of exotic plants from different parts of the country.
There are three varieties of Fynbos to be found in Kirstenbosch, depending on the type of rock
the soil they grow on originates from.
Kirstenbosch Gardens is situated right at the foot of the eastern slopes of Table Mountain
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Home to Stunning Protea flowers
Strelitzia reginae also known as Crane Flower or Bird of paradise
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Home to Stunning Protea flowers
Next to some Cape Winelands shale base Fynbos at the north eastern boundary the two more common
varieties are the sandstone base Fynbos on the middle to higher parts of the inclines and the
granite base Fynbos on the lower parts and in the valleys. Both of them can be distinguished by the
presence of dense covers of Erica's and large shrubs such as Proteas and Restios.
Landscape at Kirstenbosch with some Aloe plants in the foreground
Kirstenbosch Gardens, Home to Stunning Protea flowers
The Protea Family include species like the King Protea (protea cynaroides) which is one of
South Africa's national symbols, Green Tree Pincushion (Leucospermum conocarpodendron subsp.
viridum), Green Protea (protea coronata), Sugarbush (protea repens), Wagon Tree or Waboom (protea
nitida), Silver tree (Leucadendron argenteum) and many more.
King Protea, a member of the unique Cape Floristic Kingdom in South Africa
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Home to Stunning Protea flowers
copyright © South African Tourism
The Erica's include species such as the Berry Heath (E. Baccans), Rose-pink Heath (E.
Phylicifolia), and Erica Hirtiflora, to name but a few. Other heath-like plants include The Cape
Gorse (aspalathus astroites), China Flower (Adenandra uniflora)and the Mountain Buchu (Agathosma
tabularis) and there are many more.
Blue Cape Agapanthus, a native of the Cape of Good Hope
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Home to Stunning Protea flowers
Photograph by Danie van der Merwe
The Restios or Cape reeds, as they are sometimes called, include species such as Thatching
Reed or Dakriet (elegia tectorum = chondropetalum tectorum), Rustling Restio or Fluisterriet
(elegia racemosa), Square-stem restio (restio quadratus).
Eastern Cape Giant Cycad, also known as breadtree or "broodboom" in Afrikaans
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Home to Stunning Protea flowers
Other Fynbos species at Kirstenbosch include the Cape Agapanthus (agapanthus africanus), Oxalis
species such as Wild Sorrel or Suring, Watsonia or Kaneelpypie, Hooded Pelargonium (pelargonium
cucullatum), Blue Sage (salvia africana-caerulea), Cape Snowdrop (Crassula capensis), Red Crassula
(crassula coccinea) and many others.
The Pincushion Protea, their natural habitat is the area around Cape Town
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Home to Stunning Protea flowers
Photograph by Jessica Eriksson
The patches of protected natural forest in Kirstenbosch Gardens is in fact indigenous
Afromontane Forest, referring to the mountain forests found in isolated pockets all over of
Africa. Species to be found in the Gardens are the Real Yellowwood (podocarpus latifolius),
Stinkwood (ocotea bullata), Hard Pear (olinia ventosa), Red Alder or Rooiels (Cunonia capensis),
Cape Beech (rapanea melanophloeos).
Guinea Fowl are quite common in South Africa
Kirstenbosch Gardens, Home to Stunning Protea flowers
Kirstenbosch is home to wide variety of birds comprising more than 125 species, which include
the Cape Francolin (pternistes capensis), Egyptian Geese (alopochen aegyptiaca), Guinea Fowls
(numida meleagris), Spotted Eagle Owl (bubo africanus), Steppe Buzzard (buteo buteo), African
Dusky Flycatcher (muscicapa adusta), Sunbirds (nectarinia species), Sugarbird (promerops cafer)
The Spotted Eagle Owl is found in sub-equatorial Africa from Kenya and Uganda to the Cape
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Home to Stunning Protea flowers
Photograph by Axel Buhrmann
Although you do not often see them because they are active at night and hide during the day,
there are numerous animals in and around Kirstenbosch. Like for example the Cape clawless otter
(aonyx capensis), Water mongoose (atilax paludinosus), Cape porcupine (hystrix africaeaustralis),
Cape fox (vulpes chama), Small spotted genet (genetta genetta), Caracal/Rooikat (felis caracal),
Grysbok (raphicerus melanotis) and others.
Beautiful Kirstenbosch landscape at the foot of the eastern slope of table Mountain
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Home to Stunning Protea flowers
Photograph by Luke Robinson
Those who love gardening and gardens could easily take days to take in all that the 36
cultivated hectares of Kirstenbosch gardens have to offer. The gardens are at its most beautiful
during springtime, which is from August to October.
There is a restaurant where you can enjoy good food and wine, or you can just enjoy a picnic
on one of the beautiful lawns. During the summer Kirstenbosch offers open-air concerts on Sunday
evenings, which are very popular with the local Capetonians. Just bring a blanket and picnic
basket.
During the summer Kirstenbosch offers open-air concerts on Sunday evenings
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Home to Stunning Protea flowers
copyright © South Africa Tourism
Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens have the following variety of
classy venues available for events such as exhibitions, concerts, weddings and many others.
The Concert Area where the Summer Sunset Concerts are held
with a stunning view of Table Mountain in the background.
The Lecture Hall where many horticultural events are
hosted.
Glasshouse conservatory a venue with a difference for small
functions such as cocktail parties etc.
Old Mutual Conference and Exhibition Centre Ideal location
for corporate functions, weddings, banquets, product launches, workshops, exhibitions and
conferences.
Marquee Lawn Ideal for large dinners and functions with
fantastic views.
Silver Tree Restaurant great venue for weddings.
For more information: Email contact,
KirstenboschInfo@sanbi.org
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Kirstenbosch botanical gardens
