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

wessageorge@isat.co.za 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

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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

info@botanicalgarden.org.za.

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

info@botanicalgarden.org.za for

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

online@aswd.co.za.

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: the.botanist.george@gmail.com

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 newsletter@botanicalgarden.org.za 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 newsletter@botanicalgarden.org.za 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

newsletter@botanicalgarden.org.za. We look forward to hearing from you!