We enjoyed this spectacular flower show so much last year, we had to go again
and it was (sort of !) on our way to Robertson, where we had planned a weekend away
A great innovative display in the entrance foyer
Talented Plantsman Leon Kluge and his team won not only the award for Best Exhibit in the Great Pavilion
but the Gold Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society of Britain
This was the first day of the Exhibition. We arrived relatively early
after a nearly two hour rather wet and foggy drive from Cape Town, and the venue was filling up rapidly
The annual bush fires in the Cape Floral kingdom activate seeds from so many of of our indigenous flora
They need fire to open up the seed pods which are then scattered and can grow again
That is why you see a wall of burnt fynbos at the top of the exhibit
In front of them are just some of the plants that rejuvenate and flower afterwards in different seasons
That is why you see a wall of burnt fynbos at the top of the exhibit
In front of them are just some of the plants that rejuvenate and flower afterwards in different seasons
African Wild Gladiolus Gladiolus dalenii, Dragons Head Sword Lily
A river of smoke splits the beds on one side of the circular exhibit
A riot of colour as different species intermingle
L to R at back Pink Nerina, Yellow to Orange Torch Lily Kniphofia species, White Watsonia Irdaceae family
In front Lachenalia
L to R at back Pink Nerina, Yellow to Orange Torch Lily Kniphofia species, White Watsonia Irdaceae family
In front Lachenalia
And even more colour. In the centre are orchids
If you ever wondered where Freesias came from originally, they are indigenous to the Cape
Wonderful scents
and our wild pelargoniums that you love to grow in your gardens world wide...
Yes - these, too, originate right here in the Cape
Yes - these, too, originate right here in the Cape
Leon Kluge, the magician with plants
This young man was so popular, every one wanted to chat to him,
congratulate him and have their photos taken with him
The recovery begins in the Spring and follows in the other seasons
Spring bulbs
A host of wonderfully bright and different Protea species and a few leucodendrons interspersed with some heaths
A close up of the Pincushion protea Leucospermum
And some huge King Proteas interplanted with other species
Green leucodendrons, queen proteas and suddenly a glorious pink Nerina poking its head through the other flowers
These King Protea heads were absolutely enormous Protea Cynaroides, the National flower of South Africa
A colour feast for the eyes
Nerine bowdenii, Indigenous South African bulbus geophyte Amaryllidaceae family
Swathes of heath, ferns and Pink Cape Primrose, Streptocarpus Gloria, above the running stream
Yes these are indigenous and grow wild near water
A precious protea we nearly lost, the Bushing Bride, Serruria florida
It was used so much and over-picked that it almost became extinct
until someone found some and started a successful recovery programme
Featherhead flowers or Veerkoppie Phylica pubescens, these have a neon-like green/yellow colour
Nerina Bowdenii and or March Lily Amaryllis belladonna
Growing under a small weeping rock, white Cape Primrose Streptocarpus
The grotto with the running stream, so tenderly planted
Protea Empress
and Streptocarpus
The giant Pineapple lily Eucomis pallidiflora
A mass of different colours and fynbos plants intermingled with Proteas
King Protea Protea cynaroides
Yellow Pincushion Protea
Purple and white Erica or Cape Heather with with Everlasting y daisy Syncarpha or Helichrysum
Revival in the midst of desolation
This plant is now grown from small bulbs all around the world
as it has been hybridised by popular bulb firms in many different colours
Ixia Maculata, African Corn Lily or Wand flower
We loved this before and after planting
Burnt branches above, flowering again below
Conebush Leucadendron
So many cameras and phones out trying to capture their favourite shots
Chincherinchee Ornithogalum thysoides
One of the many species of Erica alongside a purple Sparaxis metelerkampiae
Purple Dierama, Hairbells or Angels Fishing rods, family iridaceae; orange Freesia
and Sun Star ornithogalum dubium flowers
Common Butterfly Lily Wachendorfia paniculata
Orange yellow star shaped blossoms and central green bud cluster of a Sun Star ornithogalum dubium
White Gladiolus family Iridaceae and on the right Lachenalia in front of pink Nerina
Pink Orchids Satyrium carneum Orchidaceae alongside the smoke river
Freesias in abundance
There were many flower bedecked products being sold by Grootbos
Their sale supports this and, hopefully, further prize winning exhibits at Chelsea and other world flower shows
Images from the Cape Floregium book for sale
and lots of plants to buy and take home. Choices!
Streptocarpus
Begonias and other unidentified plants
Next, we headed across the road to the very welcoming Stanford Kitchen
for some tea, coffee, carrot cake and scones with cream and jam before heading off to Robertson
A sparrow (mossie) looking for a chance for a snack on the stoep of the restaurant
A good beer from a good local Hermanus brewer
Those crisp yet fluffy scones with a cup of Earl Grey tea for the English woman...
Carrot cake, nice and moist for the driver
All the stories we have produced since 2012
can be opened from the archive list near the top of the column on the right of this page
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