Kirstenbosch: the garden that put native plants first
Founded in 1913 below Table Mountain, it was the world's first botanical garden devoted to its own country's flora.
Cape Town — At the eastern foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town lies Kirstenbosch, one of the world's great botanical gardens.
A world first
When Kirstenbosch was founded in 1913 to preserve South Africa's own plants, it was the first botanical garden in the world with that purpose, at a time when invasive species were not yet seen as an environmental problem. It still places strong emphasis on growing indigenous plants.
Outdoors, the focus is on plants of the Cape region, with spectacular collections of proteas. A large conservatory shows plants from other South African landscapes, including savanna, fynbos and karoo.
A garden with history
In 1660, the Dutch colony planted a hedge of wild almond and brambles to mark its boundary. Sections of Van Riebeeck's Hedge still survive in the garden and are a provincial heritage site.
Gold in London
Kirstenbosch is one of ten national botanical gardens run by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), covering five of the country's six biomes. Its displays have won 29 gold medals in 33 appearances at London's Chelsea Flower Show, including the President's Cup in 2008.
It is loved by Capetonians and visitors alike, a place where the extraordinary richness of South Africa's plant life is on show.
Background: Wikipedia.
