Page 19 - Landscape-Issue150

The striking Stapelia gigantea in the Savanna Spekboom growing in front of a bed of Carpobrotus edulis, The beauty of invasive Ipomoea purpurea easily
biome is easy to grow and infamous for its smell both found in the Albany thicket of the biome. The latter is distracts from an indigenous garden, and can invade
resembling that of rotting flesh also widely found in coastal, sandy habitats and sub-tropical woodlands, waste areas, arable land, roadsides, river
environments, and has been introduced and naturalised in banks and coastal dunes. Given its invasive nature,
many other temperate areas of the country avoid wide or uncontrolled planting of this species

Large-leaved Dracaena aletriformis in the Crassula multicava is a hardy, shade-loving succulent, which Plectranthus verticillatus in the Forest biome
Forest biome of the garden is thriving in the Forest biome section of the garden

Garden layout: The black arrow
indicates where visitors enter the
garden from the Women’s Jail
atrium

Drought-resistant Tulbaghia violacea in
the Savanna biome of the garden

• carefully planting selected species across
the designated biome areas.
BOT SOC’s Gauteng branch volunteers
continue to maintain the space and will be
adding more species as the garden matures.
Over time, additional non-plant features such
as rocks, logs and structural elements will be
introduced to enhance the biodiversity and
educational experience.
over-utilisation and habitat destruction Blueprint for the future
Future of the heritage garden through urban and horticultural expansion. BOT SOC hopes that this project will inspire
BOT SOC and Constitution Hill have medium- Beyond its ecological importance, the further urban greening initiatives, using
term plans for the garden, including transformation of the Women’s Jail courtyard indigenous species to create more biome
educational workshops for Constitution into a natural heritage garden is deeply demonstration gardens across South Africa.
Hill tour guides and interns on the garden’s symbolic. This space, once associated As an interactive and evolving space, the
significance, South Africa’s unique flora and with oppression and violence, now serves heritage garden is not just a tribute to
the socio-political history of horticulture and as a beacon of education, reflection and South Africa’s natural heritage – it is a living
botany. reclamation. By showcasing indigenous flora, testament to resilience, conservation and the
South Africa is home to over 21,000 the garden invites visitors to reconnect with power of reclaiming history through nature.
plant species, with 65% of them endemic their botanical heritage and reimagine urban
– a treasure trove of biodiversity that is green spaces as inclusive, sustainable and Information and photos supplied by the Botanical
increasingly threatened by climate change, representative of our natural identity. Society of South Africa. n

Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 150 2025 17