A bit of the Cape

Just 100 years ago Kirstenbosch, the beautiful National Botanical Garden on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, was a run-down derelict farm. This year the garden celebrates its centenary. That provided them with their theme of “100 blooming years” for their display at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show that took place in London earlier this year. 

South Africa has been exhibiting at this prestigious event for 38 years, and this year’s entry provided them with their 33rd gold medal. That is impressive!

This year’s the display was a circular, walk-through exhibit that creates the experience of being in the heart of Kirstenbosch. On the one side it featured the Dell and Cycad Amphitheatre, and on the other side with a clever depiction of Table Mountain, the Protea Garden.

The exhibit is currently on display at Garden World, a garden centre just outside Honeydew. After I took my friend Eljanne to the Apartheid Museum, we loaded the family in the car and for something totally opposite to our morning excursion, we went to see this Kirstenbosch Garden. It literally took my breath away, especially the colourful and exquisite proteas. My photos cannot do it justice.

PS. The Chelsea garden is on display at Garden World till 21 August. It will then be recreated at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town from 31 August till 24 September. Do go and see it!!

For more info, click on the Kirstenbosch FB page or the Garden World FB page.