The Kloof Conservancy Indigenous Open Gardens 2013 is sponsored by Builders Express and takes place on the weekend of 22 and 23 June. Breaking with tradition, the show will highlight winter gardens in Kloof, Hillcrest and Cato Ridge in all their orange-hued glory. These illustrate the benefits of and potential for water-wise, winter-flowering indigenous plants in the garden.
A special feature of the show is the inclusion of industrial gardens in the Cato Ridge area. Kloof Conservancy aims to show that industrial areas need not be bleak, lifeless and concreted over. With a little effort, they can be converted into places of beauty, which reduce runoff, reduce the urban heat island effect, attract wildlife and contribute to environmental sustainability.
The Scott Bader property has a unique and interesting story. An oil-eating bacteria was used to rehabilitate an inherited oil-polluted wetland habitat. The wetland is now thriving and is home to a diversity of fauna and flora. Cato Ridge Electrical, in particular, will be a winter spectacle not to be missed! This award-winning garden, featured on TV and in magazines, promises to be a show highlight.
Gary and Sandi Edwards’ garden on Bartlett Estate will also be featured. Stunning views and historical curiosities will make this a must-visit garden. From suburban to industrial to farm estate gardens, you will see it all at this year’s show!
Other exciting show features to look forward to are a children’s treasure hunt competition, art and local gourmet and organic food at a Hillcrest garden, and the tea garden at Kloof Junior Primary School, which will host talks, displays, nurseries and entertainment. The KwaZulu-Natal Youth Wind Band will kick off the tea garden entertainment at 10:30am on Saturday. This will be something not be missed!
Kloof Conservancy’s Indigenous Open Gardens Show is its flagship project and main annual fundraising fixture. Over the years, it has been instrumental in contributing to the protection of KwaZulu-Natal’s biodiversity by educating the broader public about our floral diversity and the merits of indigenous gardening, and by raising significant sums of money for local conservation projects, including for the removal of invasive alien plants in Krantzkloof Nature Reserve.
Tickets are R60 per person (free entry for children under 12) and are valid for all gardens and includes free tea/coffee and cake and attendance at all the activities at the Tea Garden. Tickets will be available at the entry to each garden.
For more information and to get involved, call 072 978 7515, email info@kloofconservancy.org.za or visit www.kloofconservancy.org.za