Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens - Cape Town
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Giant Cycad, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town © South African Tourism![]()
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town © South African Tourism![]()
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens © Tim Parkinson, License![]()
Pink daisies (Senecio glastifolius) and mountains © Derek Keats, License![]()
Flowers abound in the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens © Derek Keats, License
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens - Cape Town
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Newlands,Cape Town was established in 1913 with the primary goal of preserving the unique and diverse flora of South Africa. Situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, it was the first botanical garden in the world dedicated to a country’s indigenous plants. The gardens were developed on land bequeathed by Cecil John Rhodes and were spearheaded by botanist Harold Pearson. Today, Kirstenbosch is world-renowned for its stunning display of fynbos and for being part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens began with the creation of a hedgerow of wild almond known as the van Riebeeck's hedge, which was planted as a border to keep the cattle where they belonged.
Main attractionsat the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Cape Town:
- The Protea Garden boasts the world's best collection of proteas. It is best visited during the cooler wet months between June and October when these plants are flowering.
- The Restio Garden has a wonderful display of these grassy reed-like members of fynbos.
- A Water-Wise Garden educates gardeners in water conservation and the techniques that can be applied to their home garden.
- The Peninsula Garden specialises in floral species characteristic of the unique habitat of the Cape Peninsula.
- The Medicinal Garden explains the curious medicinal values of South African herbs and other plants.
- The Fragrance Garden is a treat for the blind where plants with special textures and scents can be appreciated and provides an interesting test of your olfactory acuity.
- The Kirstenbosch Garden Fair is an annual event that takes place every March just outside the front gates where the public may purchase plants.
10 interesting facts about the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Cape Town:
- World Heritage Site: Kirstenbosch is part of the Cape Floristic Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its rich biodiversity and unique plant life.
- Indigenous Flora: The garden exclusively cultivates indigenous South African plants, showcasing over 7,000 species, including many rare and endangered ones.
- Centennial Garden: Established in 1913, Kirstenbosch was the first botanical garden in the world dedicated to indigenous flora, celebrating over a century of botanical preservation.
- Boomslang Walkway: The Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, known as the "Boomslang" (tree snake), is a curved, elevated walkway that offers panoramic views of the garden and the surrounding mountains.
- Medicinal Plants: The Useful Plants Garden section displays plants used for traditional medicine, food, and other practical applications, highlighting the cultural importance of South Africa's flora.
- Protea Garden: Kirstenbosch features a stunning collection of proteas, including the King Protea, South Africa's national flower, which blooms with large, striking flowers.
- Fynbos Showcase: The garden is renowned for its extensive collection of fynbos, the unique shrubland vegetation found only in the Cape Floristic Region.
- Biodiversity Research: Kirstenbosch is a center for botanical research and conservation, with ongoing projects to study and protect South Africa's diverse plant life.
- Summer Concerts: The garden hosts popular open-air summer concerts on its expansive lawns, featuring local and international musicians in a beautiful natural setting.
- Camphor Avenue: A picturesque avenue lined with ancient camphor trees, planted in the late 1800s by Cecil Rhodes, provides a tranquil and historic walkway within the garden.
Verblyf Naby Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens - Cape Town
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