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PROJECT

SIBAYA SIGNATURE PARK

Signature Sibaya is a premier residential estate situated in the Sibaya coastal precinct.
It is a new mixed-use development situated in eMdloti, on the KZN North Coast.

Project Team
Developer: Signature Residential
Development (Pty) Ltd
Client: Signature Management
Association (RF) NPL
Landscape Maintenance:
Tierra Landscaping

The park landscape project focuses on using large sandstone river boulders and Duzi gravel around storm drainage ponds. Plants include wild grasses, dune aloes,
Amatungulu, Cape Honeysuckle, wetland plants and coastal forest trees.

he estate is positioned on the seaward-facing slopes next to 2. Salt tolerant: Allophyllus natalensis
the Sibaya Coastal Forest Reserve, a nature reserve comprising 3. Attracting birds: to attract a variety of fruit and insect-eating
T350-hectare indigenous coastal dune forest stretching south birds, certain bird-friendly trees and plants have been used to
towards the Ohlanga estuary and north to the Umdloti River. provide food and shelter, at the same time supporting a thriving
Tierra Landscaping, owned by Billy Blackbeard, was awarded the ecosystem.
landscape maintenance contract in March 2024. He was asked to • fruit eaters: Deinbollia oblongifolia, Antidesma venosum,
draw up a proposal for the storm water ponds area – an open space Allophylus natalensis, Canthuim inerme, Apodytes dimidiata,
of 7600 m that runs centrally from the top, at the entrance, to the Carissa macrocarpa.
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bottom fence line where it joins the coastal forest. The client stated • insect eaters: insect-eating birds help maintain ecological
that the developers had promised a pond area comparable to that of balance by controlling pests: Cleredendro galabrum, Syzygium
Zimbali Estate, but that the Signature ponds “fell short.” cordatum.
Blackbeard envisioned an indigenous oasis within an urban • nectar feeders: these plants not only provide nectar but also
context and transformed the once barren ponds into an aquatic feeding and nesting sites: Erythrina lysistemon, Aloe thraskii, Aloe
‘wonderland’, surrounded by indigenous meadows where arborescens, Strelitzia regina, Kniphofia praecox.
residents can leisurely stroll down meandering paths or relax • nesting sites: Chaetacme aristata, Strelitzia nicolai
under shady trees. • seed eaters: Digitaria diversinervis, Ehrhata erecta, Panicum
The original design of the ponds did not control surface runoff maximum, Setaria megaphylla
effectively, resulting in erosion and flooding on lower properties. Thus, 4. Attracting butterflies:
the purpose of the ponds was not merely aesthetic but also functional • Butterfly larval host plants: Bridelia micrantha, Milletia grandis,
– they are used to control and attenuate storm water, resulting Ehrharta erecta.
in effective erosion control and flooding on lower properties. To • Pollinator plants: Asystasia, Peristrope cernua, Becium, Dychoriste
overcome this challenge, Blackbeard used his extensive knowledge rogersii, Anisodontea, Salia, Endostemon, Gymphostigma
and landscaping experience to build a grass-seeded berm across the virgatum, Baleria, Hypoestes, Hoslandia, Tecoma capensis.
site; this channels surface runoff effectively into the ponds.
The coastal forest biome that runs from the Transkei to Maputoland This challenging salt-laden environment is a harsh one, requiring
is under anthropogenic threat from agriculture and developers (this patience, time and correct practices so that plants can acclimatise
refers to environmental change caused by people, or having an to a salty and windy environment. Ponds were seeded by hand and
impact on nature, for example road building, forestry and industrial no sod was purchased. Blackbeard enriched the soils with organic
pollution). Blackbeard believes that landscapers have a responsibility fertilisers and good quality compost to promote healthy soils – the
to regenerate urban wildlife habitats and use plant choices that create key to a successful landscape.
FNBR areas (feeding, nesting, breeding , resting). His plant choices Blackbeard is internationally acclaimed for establishing a golf
were influenced by the following criteria: course on lava in the Seychelles with no topsoil at all – he had
1. Trees common to coastal forest: Mimusops caffra, Sideroxylon to create this on site because the quantities required could not
inerme, Euclea natalensis, Psydrax obovata, Drypetes natalensis, be imported. He is a SALI award winner for the overall highest
Teclea gerrardii. achievement in South African landscaping twice in a row.
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Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 149 2025 15