CENTENARIAN WALKS AT KIRSTENBOSCH

Centenarian Walks at Kirstenbosch

2013 is a milestone year for both Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the Botanical Society of South Africa as both celebrate their centenary.

In celebration, one of the special walks arranged by the Botanical Societies Kirstenbosch Branch volunteer Garden Guides is the Centenarian Walk that visits the garden’s oldest and most distinguished residents – plants that have been growing at Kirstenbosch for 100 years or more, and plants that were introduced during the first five years and are still here today.

Camphor and Ficus Avenues in Kirstenbosch are lined with trees planted by Cecil Rhodes in 1898, while other plants such as the Buffalo Thorn, Forest Elder, Suurberg Cushion Bush and the White-haired Cycad were introduced in 1913. The English Oaks can be traced back to a period between 1820 and 1890 when the land now occupied by Kirstenbosch was a farm.

Join the experienced guides for the Centenarian Walk on the third Saturday of every month.  Walks are free after entry to the Garden. Booking is essential. Call 021 799 8783 or www.sanbi.org.za