Pretoria National Botanic Garden

History

The Pretoria National Botanical Garden was established in 1946 when part of the University of Pretoria 's Experimental Farm and private properties along the northern part of the ridge were acquired by the Department of Agriculture. The Garden was initially known as the Transvaal National Botanic Gardens and could only be visited by special arrangement because it was primarily a research facility under the management of the Botanical Research Institute, which traces its origins back to 1903. The Institute amalgamated with the National Botanical Gardens of South Africa (Kirstenbosch) to form the National Botanical Institute in 1989, which in turn became the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) in 2004. The Garden was opened to the public on a daily basis in 1984.

Plants of note

Special features are the tree wisteria ( Bolusanthus speciosus ) avenue and special collections of medicinal plants, cycads, aloes, tree species, succulents and natural ridge vegetation. The green lawns and spreading shade trees in summer and the massed aloe collections that blaze into flower during winter, are just some of the seasonal features that draw visitors to our Garden.

Mesems (vygies) captivate and enchant all. Their brilliant shimmering flowers appear in a variety of colours; red, mauve, pink, orange or white. Lampranthus amoenus and L. blandus are two examples of mesems. Namaqualand daisies make a wonderful splash of orange or white, depending on the type planted.

Scrub hares are particularly partial to these plants and often make a meal of them before they have an opportunity to flower. At this time of year, Grey duiker sometimes wander into the cultivated section of the Garden to look for food. They are browsers and feed on leaves, flowers and fruits, but in spring the natural bush is still dry and leafless and food is scarce.

On the koppie (hill), Ochna pretoriensis (Magalies plane) and Ochna pulchra (peeling plane) become clothed in masses of yellow flowers. Ochna pulchra has an attractive white bark which peels off in flakes. A broad band of clivias (Clivia miniata) lines pathways near the Tea Garden.

Rothmannia globosa (September bells) is covered in large, scented, creamy white bells. Thorn-trees (species of Acacia) are adorned with fluffy, often scented flowers.