From Kirstenbosch to Scarborough

by Diana Studer

- gardening for biodiversity

in Cape Town, South Africa

We have a Botanical Society card which gives us free entry to South Africa’s 9 Botanical Gardens. But we NEVER get there. This week we did. I wandered slowly camera in hand. Sunny and warm, perfect weather for walking.

Fire heath Erica cerinthoides

Fire heath below Castle Rock at Kirstenbosch

The iconic mountain looking over Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is Castle Rock. We have 722 species of Ericaceae of which 700 are endemic. Flaming red beauty is Erica cerinthoides fire heath, because it blooms with particular enthusiasm after a mountain fire. While I watched the sunbirds were all over the plants – too lively for my camera.

Silver and gold everlasting

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

As you look across the garden, looming above the indigenous to South Africa plants which Kirstenbosch now curates – are remnant pines. The surviving exotics live out their span in peace. But once gone, the space is claimed by our own trees. The ones which Jan van Riebeeck would have found – then felled for ships and buildings.

Baobab in the Conservatory at Kirstenbosch
The Dell

We walked thru the Dell to Colonel Bird’s Bath – Jurg’s favourite route. Then to the Conservatory – my favourite bit – where Jurg greeted his baobab. This huge tree, which came to the new Conservatory loaded on a truck, was planted in winter 1996. We watch with concern as it loses its leaves each May and regains them at the end of November.

Cycads and Ginkgo leaf

200 million years ago there were 7 species of Ginkgo growing on Gondwana. Today’s Ginkgo biloba lives in Southeast Asia. Kirstenbosch also curates a collection of cycads, nicknamed living fossils.

Sunset at Scarborough - he walked down while I read

We had time as we stayed at a B’nB in Scarborough. Near the sea. In the evening, at the steps going up to the restaurant was a tall shrub – lavender star! My proof that it will grow happily in our next garden.

 Dozen for Diana 3

Among my reader’s queries on StatCounter – Can Grewia be used as a hedge? We have a small tree creeping up into our mountain view, which is on my pruning list. It IS recommended as a hedge. Grows into dense shelter for shy birds. Prune away!

Grewia occidentalis cross-berry or lavender star

Grewia occidentalis cross-berry or lavender star

In the Malvaceae with Hibiscus and cotton. Grewia occidentalis cross-berry to South Africans, lavender star to US gardeners. It will grow from the arid Karoo, to coastal dunes, to the shade of forest trees. Named after Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712), an English physician – according to PlantZAfrica. The berries (which I haven’t seen) are edible to both birds and us. The leaves attract butterflies.

Three plants for False Bay in 2013 Dozen for Diana

Joining me in choosing a plant this month are –

Donna of GardensEyeview in NY chose chives for February. I grow garlic chives but her lavender globes are calling my name. (With other bloggers I’m running late, so I’ll include her March choice). Yarrow or soldier's woundwort Each month I’m intrigued by the international and wide-ranging layers of information she gathers for her chosen plant. From Saxon warriors to starlings in their nest.

Beth of PlantPostings in Wisconsin turns to the common wood violet with ‘bright periwinkle blooms and lush heart-shaped leaves’. For March she reminds me of Easter in Switzerland with tete-a-tete daffodils!

Pictures by Diana and Jurg

text by Diana Studer

(on Google Plus)
AKA Diana of Elephant's Eye (on False Bay)
- wildlife gardening in Porterville,
near Cape Town in South Africa

(If you mouse over teal blue text,
it turns seaweed red.Those are my links.)