Every year from early August through to the end of September, and sometimes even longer if the rainfall is good, wildflowers are scattered across the landscape. This year the cold fronts brought generous showers to the Cape and some regions are only reaching their fruition now. Here are some of the places where you can catch the last glimpses of the spring flower show.
The Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
This garden is truly unique, with displays of arid and semi-arid plants, the 154-hectare garden is a treat even when flowers aren’t in bloom. It is also South Africa’s only succulent garden. Have a look at some of its recent blossoms.
Picture: Peter Frost
Picture: Peter Frost
Picture: Peter Frost
Picture: Peter Frost
Picture: Peter Frost
Picture: Peter Frost
Adress: Roux Rd, Panorama, (off National Rd), Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa.
Garden entrance fees
- Adult: R35
- Student: R15
- Pensioner: R25
- Child: R10
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
This iconic garden on the slopes of Table Mountain is a treat to visit any time of year. Due it’s location on a slope that receives heavy rainfall, and the care that the curators and gardeners put into the plants, you will still find a vast variety of colourful flowers in bloom. Also, it’s at this time of year that certain flowers only start emerging, such as strelitzias and protea pincushions which attract equally colourful birds, and the much prized clivias which also colour the verges of many roads in this suburb of Cape Town.
Garden entrance fees
- Adult (standard): R200
- Adult (South African resident with ID*): R80
- Child age 6-17: R25
- Child age 0 -5: Free
- South African Student (with student card): R45
- Seniors (South African resident with ID*): Free on Tuesdays excluding public holidays
One of the many colourful ‘annual’ flower beds in Kirstenbosch
Southern double-collared sunbirds feed on the nectar of strelitzias. Photo: Anton Crone
Colourful pincushions attract equally colourful birds such as this orange-breasted sunbird. Photo: Anton Crone
Clivias in the forested area of Kirstenbosch
Cape Town
Fortunately for Capetonians, they don’t even have to leave the city to find the wildflowers in bloom. Some parks throughout the city are flourishing after the City of Cape Town decided to not mow many of its parks.
If you live in Cape Town, you may have notices some open plains painted in vibrant colours. Have a look at some of the wildflowers within the city limits.
Rocklands public open space, next to Weltevreden Road in Mitchells Plain. Picture: City of Cape Town.
Rocklands public open space, next to Weltevreden Road in Mitchells Plain. Picture: City of Cape Town.
Princess Vlei Conservation area in Retreat. Picture: City of Cape Town.
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