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News
The Garden Route is taking part in this year’s City Nature Challenge!
The Challenge is a bioblitz being held on a global scale whereby volunteers in cities across the world will be locating and
recording any biodiversity in their designated areas over a four-day period (24-27 April). This will involve taking a picture
of any plant or animal species you come across and noting its location.
Volunteers will then have a week (29 April – 3 May) to upload their records onto the iNaturalist mobile app or desktop
version. Winning cities (or districts) will then be announced for each of the following three categories: Most
Observations, Most Species, and Most Participants.
Out of the 159 cities across the world who took up the Challenge last year, Cape Town took first place in both the
Observations and Species categories! The Garden Route is, however, hoping to show our neighbours to the west a thing
or two in this year’s challenge.
The region’s application to take part in the Challenge was submitted under the name of the Garden Route Botanical
Garden, with Colin Ralston of the GRGB leading the charge. A core committee with representatives from nature and
conservation organisations across the Eden district (e.g. WESSA EDEN) has been set up to coordinate the Garden Route’s
participation in the Challenge and they hope to get input and support from local authorities and the community at large.
How Can You Get Involved?
More details will be made available closer to the time, but for now you can:
Encourage any group or organisation you’re apart of to take part in the City Nature Challenge. Schools, clubs,
nature reserves, conservationists, NGOs, tourists, hikers, divers, beachcombers, birdwatchers, photographers,
biologists, residential estates, neighbourhood watch teams, work colleagues and any ordinary citizens
enthusiastic about nature and biodiversity can join in the fun!
Individually or within your group/organisation, you can organise a bioblitz event; offer support via funding or
promotion; or provide a venue with an internet connection for workshops and recording observations on the
iNaturalist platform. Contact Christine Ridge-Schnaufer (WESSA EDEN Honorary Secretary) at 044 873 4203 or
[email protected] if you can help in any of these ways.
Familiarise yourself with the iNaturalist platform by visiting XXXXXXX. iNaturalist is a joint initiative of the
February 2020
Take part in the 2020 City Nature Challenge
Newsletter
Biodegradable Bags Now
Available for Dog Walkers
As you are probably aware, all visitors to the GRBG
who bring their dogs along for a walk are required to
pick up any droppings their dog decides to ‘donate’
to the Garden.
Dog walkers will be pleased to know that the Garden
has introduced new biodegradable bags which you
can use to scoop up the poop.
Two affordable options are available:
A single bag available at R2 each. This is ideal
for when you’ve forgotten to bring a bag from
home. Single bags can be bought at either
entrance gate to the main garden or at the
front office.
A roll of 20 bags available at R25 per roll. This is
an excellent and eco-friendly long term
investment for use both inside and outside the
Garden. Rolls can be bought at the front office.
Familiarise yourself with the iNaturalist platform. iNaturalist is a joint initiative of the California Academy of
Science and the National Geographic Society.
Learn more about the Garden Route's participation in the Challenge and have a look at the region’s existing
observations.
The City Nature Challenge 2020 promises to be a fun and exciting opportunity to explore
and learn more about local flora and fauna, build ties with other nature enthusiasts, and
increase awareness about the Garden Route’s rich biodiversity. Look out for future
newsletters for more information and updates.
Sources: WESSA EDEN January 2020 Newsletter and www.citynaturechallenge.org
Message from the Chairperson
Firstly, my warmest greetings to you with every good
wish for 2020.
Over the last few years, as those of us who regularly visit
our garden have seen the strides being made and
improvements implemented, a valid concern regularly
heard has related to the communication with members
and friends.
This year we will work to fill this gap through this monthly
newsletter. This initiative has come about through the
efforts of the management team, working with our
volunteer editor, Nicole.
I am very pleased with this first revival newsletter and
hope that you all will enjoy it. I look forward to the future
editions. Of course its success is going to come from two-
way communication, and we welcome your constructively
critical feedback.
So thank you all, and especially thank you to Nicole and
the small editorial team. I look forward to this going from
strength to strength.
– Roger Bath, GRBG Board of Trustees Chairperson
Tortoise Finds New Home in the
Botanical Garden
Someone new has joined the GRBG family. A Good
Samaritan found this tortoise in a residential street and
kindly brought it to the Garden. It has been released into
the Garden where it has access to a range of delicious
succulents such as aptenia, as well as water and cosy
hiding spots. GRBG staff members are confident the
tortoise will be happy in its new home and that it will
soon find the other tortoise residents and make friends!
Night in the Garden
On the 24th of January, the Garden Route
Botanical Garden hosted another successful
Night in the Garden. The aim of this event is to
introduce participants to the fascinating insects,
amphibians and reptiles of the Garden Route.
The evening started with an enthralling and
informative presentation by Garden Route Snake
Rescue. They began by introducing the crowd to
the non-venomous Olive House Snake and the
mildly venomous Red-lipped Herald.
Next, the experts discussed the subtle difference
between the Rhombic Egg-eater and the
Rhombic Night Adder. The Rhombic Egg-eater is
a non-venomous, toothless snake that feeds off
eggs, but can easily be confused with the
venomous Rhombic Night Adder. The Snake
Rescue team explained that the difference lies in
the shape of the snakes’ heads, with the Egg-
eater having a wider, more triangular shaped
head.
They then shared another important distinction
between two other well-known snake species:
although it is often confused with the Natal
Green snake, a Boomslang is never a completely
green snake.
The participants were then introduced to the
truly venomous snakes of our region – the Puff
Adder, Rinkhals, the Cape Cobra.
Following the entertainingly educational snake
presentation was an equally interesting talk on
the frogs of the Garden Route by amphibian
expert Ferdie de Lange. He showed the audience
the Raucous Toad, one of the most common
frogs found in our gardens, and which has a most
unusual call.
Owing to good rain prior to the event, the garden
was teaming with life. Participants were treated
to a cacophony of Painted Reed frogs and a large
population of Knysna Dwarf Chameleons.
Olive House Snake
Rhombic Night Adder
Ph
oto
s o
f C
aro
ls e
ven
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urt
esy
of
Ker
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Carols in the Garden 2019
When the rain started falling at midday on the
15th of December our hearts dropped as we
realised we might need to cancel our Carols in
the Garden event for that night, which was to
feature the Carpe Musicam Orchestra and Choir.
Miraculously, the orchestra leaders arranged for
us to transfer the event from the Concert Lawn in
the Garden to the George Town Hall.
Frantic postings on various Facebook pages and
other social media got the message about the
changed venue out pretty quickly and we were
able to welcome over 500 music lovers at the
Town Hall at 18:30.
And what a performance we enjoyed! The
combined orchestra and choir led the audience in
singing Christmas carols and songs from all over
the world.
The contributions to the donation buckets were
incredible and the evening was a considerable
financial success as well as a resounding musical
triumph. Thank you very much to everyone who
made a donation.
We would also like to say a big thank you to the
leaders and members of Carpe Musicam who
performed without fee, Pam Golding who printed
the programs, as well has an anonymous donor
who sponsored the sound and lighting
equipment.
We definitely look forward to holding the Carols
event again at the end of this year, but just as a
treat in the interim, we are having Carpe
Musicam back at the Garden for A Night at the
Proms on the 20th of March. Hope to see you
there!
Rhombic Egg-eater
Boomslang
Red-lipped Herald
Puff Adder
Natal Green
Raucous Toad Cape Cobra Rinkhals
Empty Yoghurt Tubs Needed
The Nursery is in urgent need of empty 1l plastic
yoghurt tubs. The Nursery Team up-cycles the tubs
into plant labels by cutting them into strips and
writing on the strips with permanent marker.
The Team’s tub-supply is running rather low at the
moment. So, if you
have any empty 1l
yoghurt tubs at home
that you’re not using,
they would greatly
appreciate it if you
could drop them off
at the Garden on your
next visit. Thank you!
Weeds in the Nursery
Some visitors have pointed out that there are
perhaps a few too many weeds in the Nursery
area. Please rest assured that this is not due to
neglect and that the Nursery Team is working
hard to clear the weeds.
The Nursery, however, chooses not to use
synthetic herbicides (weedkillers) due to their
harmful side-effects. So, removing the weeds by
hand will take a bit of time.
The Nursery Team would like to thank everyone
for their patience and understanding while they
take on this challenge.
Notices
Donations Welcome
The Garden Route Botanical Garden is a non-
governmental organisation (NGO) and relies heavily on
donations from the public to fund our activities.
(Sadly, although we know a thing or two about trees,
we haven’t quite figured out how to make money grow
on them.)
If any person, organisation or business would like to
support the GRBG monetarily, this can be done online
at www.botanicalgarden.org.za/make-a-donation or by
making a deposit directly into our account using the
banking details provided further below. You can also
phone our offices at 044 874 1558 or email
All donations to the GRGB are tax-deductable. Any
donation – big or small – will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your continued support.
Banking Details:
Name: Garden Route Botanical Garden Trust
(Current Account)
Bank: Standard Bank, George
Account No: 281 859 183
Branch code: 050 214
Boomslang
Monday Morning Volunteers
Needed in the Nursery
The GRBG Nursery was started many years ago and is an
important means of raising funds for the Garden’s
activities. The Nursery employs a small team of
permanent staff who are assisted by an indispensable
group of volunteers who help out once or twice a week.
The Nursery is still looking for volunteers to join them for
a few hours on Monday mornings. All you need to bring
is a love of plants and some garden gloves.
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, pick up
some gardening tips, and contribute to a worthy cause. If
you or someone you know are interested in volunteering,
please contact Gabby at 044 874 1558.
New events are continually being added to our schedule.
Stay up to date by visiting www.botanicalgarden.org.za/events.
Upcoming Events • Feb/Mar 2019
EVERY SATURDAY
PARKRUN
Join other runners for a free
5km run starting at 08:00.
Registration is required. Visit
www.parkrun.co.za/george
for more details.
14 Feb 2020
VALENTINE’S DAY MOVIE
NIGHT UNDER THE STARS
Enjoy an open-air romantic movie screening
as we celebrate Valentine’s Day at the
Garden. Movie starts at 19:00 and gates open
at 18:00. Cost is R50 at the gate. Bring along
a picnic basket, drinks and a blanket /
chair. Contact 044 874 1558 or
more information.
07 Feb 2020
HOPE CHURCH NIGHT RUN
This is an early evening running event on the
trails of the Garden, starting at 18:30.
Choose between 10km, 5km and 3km
distances. Tickets are essential. Click here
for all rules and important details, and here
if you’d like to buy your tickets online.
Direct any enquiries to Danie at
076 176 5807 or
07-08 Feb 2020
YELLOW DOT SALE
The Nursery will be having a sale
on Friday, 7 February (09:00-15:00)
and Saturday, 8 February (09:00-
14:30). Selected plants marked
with a yellow tag will be sold at
special discount prices.
14 Feb 2020
VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER
AT THE BOTANIST
Enjoy a romantic three course dinner
service with your partner at The Botanist
restaurant, located on the Garden’s premises.
The dinner is from 17:00 to 19:00 and
costs R250 pp. Each guest will receive a
complimentary glass of bubbly on arrival!
Seats are limited, so booking is
essential. Contact
086 516 2470.
15 FEB 2020
THE GATHERING POETRY
& STORYTELLING EVENT
Bring along the whole family, a picnic
basket and refreshments for an evening of
captivating poetry and storytelling. (No
alcohol allowed.) Cost is R15 pp at the gate
and it starts at 17:00. Contact Kaylin
at 065 104 9131 or Jama at
071 333 4555 for more
information. EVERY WEDNESDAY
VOLUNTEER GARDENING
AND WEEDING SESSION
Join The Lady of the Herbs, Roxanne,
from 09:00 to 11:00 for a bit of
gardening and weeding in the
Medicinal Herb Spiral. Contact
Roxanne at 081 361 6762 to
get involved.
Get To Know The Garden
Operating since December 2019, The
Botanist is a family-owned and family-
orientated restaurant perfectly situated for
anyone wanting to enjoy delicious meals in
a relaxed environment before or after their
stroll through the Garden Route Botanical
Garden.
The restaurant has an eclectic breakfast
and lunch menu which, owing to owner
Donald Storey’s travels overseas,
incorporates influences from continental
Europe, Far East and even Moroccan
cuisine.
With their distinctive selection of salads,
open sandwiches, bowls and ‘cakes of the
day’, The Botanist “aims to offer something
different from other restaurants in the local
food scene,” says Storey. “We are, for
example, the only restaurant in George that
uses only fresh herbs that we’ve grown
ourselves,” he adds.
Star dishes include the Buttermilk Chicken
and Caprese Open Sandwich, and
vegetarian and vegan meals are also on the
menu. These can be enjoyed with,
amongst others, tea, coffee, freshly
squeezed juice or something stronger. (The
restaurant is fully licensed.) Free filtered
water is also available to all customers.
Meals can be enjoyed indoors in an
‘elegantly rustic’ dining area which seats up
to 26 people. Those seeking to make the
most of the Garden’s natural beauty,
however, can have a seat outdoors under
the shade of a giant Cape fig tree where
another 38 seats are available.
And, if you want the best of both worlds,
The Botanist’s glass house (28 seats) is the
perfect solution. Here you’ll have an
unspoilt view of the outside area, while
being shielded from any wind or rain!
While sitting in the glass house or outside
seating area, parents will also be able to
keep an eye on their children while they
play on The Botanist’s large lawn or
clamber about its jungle gym. The
restaurant also has a kiddies’ menu and
gives free lollipops to all youngsters.
Man’s best friend also need not miss out on
all the excitement, as The Botanist is a dog-
friendly restaurant. Dogs must be on a
leash which can be hooked onto the
outside tables. All dogs are offered a free
bowl of water and the restaurant hopes to
introduce dog-specific dishes in the future.
The Botanist is wheelchair-accessible and
also takes bookings for events. (The
restaurant has an entrance external to the
gated area of the Botanical Garden.)
Another attraction that should not be
missed is the Garden Goodies store
situated on the restaurant’s premises.
Here customers can purchase a wide range
of beautifully designed and locally made
metal products for garden and home.
If all of this doesn’t sound enticing enough,
an added perk of dining at The Botanist is
the 10% discount on meals offered on
presentation of a GRBG Membership Card
or proof of participation in a Saturday
Parkrun (on the day of the Run).
So, for a unique local dining experience in a
relaxed, botanical setting, make sure to
stop by The Botanist the next time you visit
the Garden.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 083 516 2470
This month we stop by…
Trading Times
Monday – Saturday:
08:00 – 16:00
Closed on Sundays
Species: Anisodontea scabrosa
Common names: hairy mallow / pink mallow / rough-leaf
African mallow / sand rose
Family: Malvaceae
Description: This hairy shrub can grow up to two meters
tall in some cases. The leaves are mostly
three-lobed or elliptic, slightly toothed, and
thinly to densely haired. Multiple single
flowers are borne on the end of the axils.
The flowers vary from light pink to dark
pink. Varieties vary from small-leafed to
large-leafed shrubs with proportionately
sized flowers. Anisodontea flowers all year
in George, thriving in the clay-rich soil.
Natural Habitat: Indigenous to winter rainfall areas along
South Africa’s coast, including the Northern
Cape, Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Conservation
Status: Classified as being of ‘Least Concern’.
Growing It In
Your Garden: A great decorative plant, it is pot-plant friendly, but can also be used for hedging. It does well
with pruning, can be shaped or left to its own devices. It is a resilient shrub that can even
withstand frost. Anisodontea scabrosa attracts honeybees, carpenter bees and butterflies. It
thrives in full sun with free airflow, and will grow in alkaline, neutral or acidic soil.
Interesting Fact: It can be used as bonsai specimens.
Availability at
GRBG Nursery: Anisodontea scabrosa is currently available at the Nursery. Prices range from R35 each to R50
each for larger plants.
.
Additional source: http://pza.sanbi.org/
Nursery Plant of the Month
Nursery Trading Times:
MONDAY – THURSDAY 08:00 – 17:00
FRIDAY 08:00 – 14:30
SATURDAY 09:00 – 14:30
This month we meet…
Christina Rooi
What is your role at the Gardens?
I’m a Sales Assistant at the Nursery. I help grow plants for sale and
advise customers on which plants would best suit their needs and garden.
How long have you worked here?
Approximately three years.
What is your favourite part about working at the GRGB?
I like helping customers and working with plants. I especially enjoy when
we walk around the Garden collecting seeds and seedlings which we then
nurture from the ‘baby phase’ to proper young plants. It also gives me a
lot of pride whenever I’m able to take a plant that is struggling to stay alive
and nurse it back to health with the right nutrients and care.
What are some of your personal favourite plants?
I’m crazy about fynbos. I also love the Tecoma, the Anisodontea and Osteospermums.
Agony Aunt
Perhaps we can help! Email your query or dilemma to [email protected] with ‘Agony Aunt’ in
the subject line and we’ll offer some advice in next month’s newsletter. Remember to include your first name and
where you’re from (town and neighbourhood). And feel free to include a photo to give us a better idea of your
particular problem. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Get To Know Our Staff and Volunteers
Do you have a plant-related problem?
Has gardening become guesswork?
Need some tree tips?
Is there some botanical ‘weirdness’
that you’ve always wondered about?
Sustainable Succulents
As the rains fall across the country many are celebrating and are thankful for the respite our poor suffering plants and
gardens have been given. However, it is important to understand that globally we are facing a water crisis and we are
likely to continue seeing drought conditions.
Many are moving to indigenous plants, which are naturally adapted to our harsh climates, and more are moving to
succulent based gardens. This is great and one of the best ways to ensure you have a beautiful and sustainable
garden! However, many succulents sold on the market are introduced from Mexico and regions in South America.
South Africa has a range of stunning indigenous succulents that can be
planted in place of these generally invasive species. Instead of invasive
Cacti, why not plant Aloes, Vygies and Pelargoniums which are all well
adapted to Karooid habitats and have an array of flower shapes and
colours. Crassulas are also very versatile – some preferring full sun,
others adapted to shade. They too have a range of stunning flowers.
Pelargonium echinatumas, seen in the picture, is very hardy, has white
to pink flowers and can be planted instead of non-indigenous dwarf
shrubs and annuals.
Catching Up with CREW
Make the Switch
Advice on introducing indigenous plants to your garden.
CREW are the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers, a citizen science project
supported by the Botanical Society of South Africa (BotSoc). The ‘custodians’ are ordinary
citizens from different socio-economic backgrounds who monitor threatened plant
species in South Africa’s Cape Floristic Region, Summer Rainfall Region and the Eastern Cape.
Starting next month, CREW’s Garden Route branch will be giving us updates on their activities and sharing their
Flower Find of the Month. So, watch this space to learn more about endangered local flowering plant species!
Additional source: www.sanbi.org
Photo-synthesis
Have Your Botanical Garden Snapshots
Published in the Next Newsletter!
If you’ve ever taken a great photo of something beautiful or interesting
you came across in the Garden, or happen to take one during your next
visit, you now have an opportunity to share it with other GRBG
Members!
Simply email your photo to [email protected] with
‘Photo-synthesis’ in the subject line, and you might see your
masterpiece in the next newsletter. We’ll publish as many photos as
we can fit in. Remember to include your first name, where you’re from
(town and neighbourhood), and a short description of your photo in
your email. Looking forward to seeing your snapshots!
Share Your Thoughts
* This newsletter was designed using resources from www.freepik.com
We’d love to know what’s on your mind! If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this
newsletter, or ideas on what you’d like to see in future newsletters, please don’t hesitate to
tell us in an email.
If you have any suggestions on how the Garden Route
Botanical Garden, its facilities and attractions, or
the visitor experience can be improved, we would
appreciate your input too.
Send all your comments and suggestions to
[email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!