Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

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The Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, in the background the east side of Table Mountain

The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden ( Afrikaans Kirstenbosch Nasionale Botaniese Tuine , German about: "National Botanical Garden Kirstenbosch"), Kirstenbosch for short , is a botanical garden in the Newlands district of Cape Town . It is located on the eastern slope of Table Mountain and is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. At 36 hectares, it is the largest of nine National Botanical Gardens operated by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

history

Aloe species
Botanical garden in front of Table Mountain

The origin of planting on the site dates back to the times of Jan van Riebeeck , who around 1660 as a protective measure against indigenous land users a strip Landwehr consisting of Gebück with wild almond trees and brambles, was built. The background to this decision was the increasing conflicts between the local Khoikhoi and Dutch settlers because of the pastures that both sides claimed . The mining magnate and Prime Minister of the Cape Province, Cecil Rhodes , acquired the land in 1895 to save it from settlement. After his death in 1902 it was left to the state.

The Botanical Garden was established on July 1, 1913, and its first director was Harold Pearson, whose grave is on the premises. The first curator (1913-1936) was Joseph William Mathews from Cheshire , who previously had professional experience in Kew Gardens and after whom the rock garden area was named. The rock garden was created using the local sandstone. Mathews is considered to be the founder of floriculture in South Africa. His focus was on the native flora.

The name of this area is based on a reference to an early farmer, Jan Frederik Kirsten, whose farm Veldhuisen was located here. In the region, however, there were other field names as Claasenbosch and Burger Bosch , which also refer to people. The first director of the botanical garden, Harold Pearson, interpreted the name of the locality, however, as a misleading and subsequent name change, since, according to his impression, Kirstenbosch originated from Kersenbosch and Kersen stands for "cherries".

description

The Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden was founded in order to preserve the unique biodiversity of the Cape region . This principle is still maintained today by showing only native plants. There are beds especially for the South African silver tree plants (Proteaceae), the heather (Erica), cycads (Cycadeae) and the Restionaceae .

There is also a large succulent bed , Mathew's rock garden, an arboretum , a plant section, a scented bed and a blind path. The “water-wise garden” is also trying to make water-saving plants attractive for gardens.

The greenhouse at the main entrance shows plants from the most important forms of vegetation in South Africa such as the Karoo , the Fynbos and the savannah .

In the summer period, outdoor concerts are held regularly, provided that these activities are not restricted by general conditions.

Several hiking trails start from the botanical garden. The path through the "Skeleton Gorge" is one of the most famous hiking trails up to Table Mountain. To the north you can hike along the Rhodes' Memorial to Devil's Peak , to the south you can hike to Constantia Nek .

gallery


Other facilities and objects

Library and research area
Visitor access in the botanical garden

The botanical garden also contains:

  • the main administration of the SANBI,
  • the Compton Herbarium ,
  • the Goldfields Environmental Education Center,
  • the Kirstenbosch Research Center and
  • the Harry Molteno Library.

In the outdoor areas of the botanical garden, especially near the main entrance, sculptures by artists from southern Africa with a focus on Shona sculptures are on display.

Movies

Web links

Commons : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Independent Media: Editorial: Kirstenbosch Gardens . on www.iol.co.za (English)
  2. ^ South African History Online: Van Riebeeck's Hedge, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town . on www.sahistory.org.za (English), (English)
  3. ^ South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Kirstenbosch NBG: Mathews Rockery . at www.sanbi.org (English)
  4. ^ Bisset Berry : History of Kirstenbosch Estate . In: The Journal of the Botanical Society , 1916, pp. 14–15, (PDF; 52.6 kB).
  5. ^ South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts postponed . at www.sanbi.org (English)
  6. ^ South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Sculpture Garden . at www.sanbi.org (English)
  7. ^ South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI): Art in the Garden . at www.sanbi.org (English)
  8. ^ Table of contents by ARD
  9. ^ Table of contents from fernsehserien.de, announcement by BBC Two

Remarks

  1. ↑ Script and direction: Julien Naar, production: Bo Travail !, arte France, series: Magical Gardens (original title: Jardins d'ici et d'ailleurs ), first broadcast: March 30, 2018 by arte
  2. ↑ Book: Monty Don, director: Kerry Richardson, moderation: Monty Don, production: All3Media, BBC

Coordinates: 33 ° 59 ′ 22 ″  S , 18 ° 25 ′ 49 ″  E