Forest garden goes on show

Admire indigenous plants like this polygala bush during the Botanical Society's tours of a Cowies Hill forest garden.

MANY South Coast gardeners and nature lovers enjoyed visiting the lovely Cowies Hill indigenous garden created by Rob and Jane Crankshaw, when it was opened to the public in 2009.

Since then, this tranquil forest garden has matured and the Crankshaws are looking forward to opening it again. The Botanical Society is arranging tours of the garden on November 9, at 08.30am, 10.30am and 2.30 pm.

Booking and pre-payment are essential. The two-hour tours will cost R45 for Botanical Society members, R50 for non-members and R25 for children. The price includes tea and cake. Proceeds will be used for Botanical Society projects. Numbers are limited to 20 people per tour.

The history of the garden goes back 22 years, when Rob and Jane started planting indigenous trees in the shade of large exotics in their garden. Over time, as the understory developed, fiddlewoods, Brazilian peppers and jacarandas were removed. This charming home now boasts a garden with sheltered walks that wind their way through a forest of about 80 indigenous tree species, and over 200 indigenous plant species overall, plus some exotics.

To book, please email botsoc-kzn@mweb.co.za or phone 031 2015111 on Mondays and Thursdays between 10am and 4pm or contact 071 8693693.

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