Indigenous Open Gardens’ new format
IF YOU are thinking about transforming your ecologically sterile suburban garden into something a bit wilder and more natural, there will be no shortage of experts to provide advice this weekend.
The occasion is the Kloof Conservancy’s annual Indigenous Open Gardens show that will be held on Saturday and Sunday (May 16-17) at the Cotswold Downs housing estate in Hillcrest.
Visitors will be able to browse some of the smaller gardens on the estate, but organisers say the main focus will be on the guided or selfguided walks through the 230ha estate that was once a sugar-cane plantation.
A wide range of experts on birds, flowers, trees, butterflies and indigenous gardens will be attending the event to give talks or lead walks. They include botanical authors Elsa Pooley, Richard Boon, Geoff Nichols and Charles Botha, along with butterfly expert Steve Woodhall and garden designer Lindsay Gray. Organisers say that while there growing public enthusiasm to
is plant indigenous gardens, it is vital that plants should be “locally indigenous”. Buying plants at a nursery that are indigenous to the Zululand or Drakensberg area would not benefit the local ecology if planted in Durban gardens.
“Educate yourself about plants that are natural to your area and plant them in the right places. Chances are, your plants will do better and require less maintenance (and water), and you will have contributed to reinstating what was lost when your property was originally cleared of natural vegetation cover.”
The Kloof Conservancy is also encouraging homeowners to minimise the size of their lawned areas and to plant a wide variety of locally indigenous species rather than an abundance of single species. “Make areas where there are pools of water for birds and insects to refresh themselves. Make parts of the garden dense and bushy where birds and other creatures can hide… This diversity mimics nature.”
There will also be a tea garden, with lunchtime concerts by the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Wind Orchestra and a marimba band from Thomas More College .
Tickets cost R60, which includes tea/coffee and cakes and all guided activities. The entrance is via Fig Tree Farm at the Fisher Road gate.
For more information, visit www.kloofconservancy.org.za