Our Story
What began as a modest collection of fynbos specimens in 1990 has grown into one of Southern Africa's most significant botanical sanctuaries. Spanning 528 hectares of cultivated gardens and natural vegetation, our grounds represent the remarkable diversity of the Cape Floristic Region.
The vision behind our gardens emerged from a growing awareness of habitat loss facing indigenous plant communities. Dr. Helena van der Merwe, a botanist who had spent decades documenting threatened species across the Western Cape, recognised that conservation required more than field research. It demanded living repositories where endangered plants could thrive while educating future generations.
Today, our collections include over 9,000 plant species native to Southern Africa, with particular emphasis on the proteaceae family, cycads, succulents, and the extraordinarily diverse fynbos ecosystem. Each section of the garden has been designed to reflect the natural growing conditions of its inhabitants, from the misty slopes of Table Mountain to the sun-baked expanses of the Karoo.
Conservation Mission
Conservation stands at the heart of everything we do. Our seed bank preserves genetic material from over 4,000 indigenous species, serving as insurance against extinction and a resource for habitat restoration projects across the region.
- Partnership with six South African universities for botanical research
- Propagation programmes for 47 critically endangered species
- Annual reintroduction of cultivated specimens to restored habitats
- Climate adaptation studies monitoring plant responses to changing conditions
- Community training initiatives in sustainable land management
Our horticultural team works alongside ecologists and conservation geneticists to ensure that our living collections remain genetically diverse and resilient. This scientific rigour distinguishes our gardens from purely aesthetic landscapes.
Educational Commitment
Every visitor who walks through our gates becomes part of our educational mission. Whether through guided tours, interpretive signage, or hands-on workshops, we strive to foster appreciation for the natural heritage that surrounds us.
Our schools programme reaches over 15,000 learners annually, introducing young South Africans to the wonders of indigenous plant life. Many of these students return as volunteers, interns, and eventually as the next generation of conservation professionals.
