This year’s Botanical Society of South Africa’s annual Winter Garden Walks will be hosted within the indigenous gardens of Renishaw Hills – a mature lifestyle village on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast – on Saturday, 13 and Sunday, 14 July.
Renowned botanist and landscaper, Elsa Pooley, has been instrumental in the creation of the estate’s beautiful indigenous gardens. In the run-up to the highly-anticipated Winter Garden Walks, Elsa has shared some useful indigenous gardening tips for the warm coastal region.
Elsa’s top 6 tips:
1. It’s preferable to use plants which are from coastal or low altitude areas.
2. Get to know your garden – where it is sunny, shady, partly shady, dry or damp – and select your plants accordingly.
3. Group plants together according to their water needs – plants can die from too much water as well as too little water.
4. Indigenous garden plants often don’t look too good in the bag – don’t be put off! Once they are planted, they will thrive.
5. Choose plants which provide colour at different times of the year to keep the garden interesting and to attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
6. Find a book and get to know all about these plants. There are many books on indigenous gardening and garden plants particular to South Africa.
For those wanting to learn more about the plants and how to maintain their gardens, Elsa Pooley will lead three daily guided walks through the estate during the Winter Walks, showcasing examples of newly-planted gardens as well as the more established two-year-old gardens.
Phil Barker, Managing Director of Renishaw Property Developments, developers of Renishaw Hills, said co-hosting the Botanical Society’s Winter Garden Walks was a great chance to showcase the estate and #CelebrateScottburgh.
“Everyone from the avid landscapers to those just starting to learn about indigenous planting will benefit from the Winter Garden Walks and the horticultural expertise,” said Barker. “The incredible work done by the Renishaw Hills landscaping team has resulted in some of the region’s most captivating indigenous gardens that are both colourful and interesting. Add to this the warm South Coast winter and beautiful ocean views, and you’re set for a really enjoyable day outdoors.”
Details for the Renishaw Hills Winter Garden Walks:
Dates: Saturday, 13 and Sunday, 14 July
Times: Gates open at 9am. Gates close at 4 pm – last entry is 3pm.
Map of the walking routes and open gardens on site, and the routes will be clearly marked.
Guided walks with Elsa Pooley: Leave the Mackaya Bella Community Centre at 10am, 12pm and 2pm daily.
Cost: Full price – R50, pensioners – R40, BotSoc members – R40, and Early Bird Special (payment by 10 July) – R40. Price includes morning tea and treats, lunchtime sandwiches. To book, email botsoc-kzn@mweb.co.za or visithttp://www.renishawhills.co.za/winter-gardens-event/
Pay on the day / Zapper.
Dress: Comfortable walking shoes and hats.
Directions (only 45 minutes from Durban):
From N2 travelling south from Durban to Scottburgh (40 minutes):
Take the Scottburgh/Dududu off-ramp (Exit 110), turn left towards Scottburgh. The turn-off to Renishaw Hills is 400m on your right, at the new intersection with the Renishaw Hills billboard. Follow the newly tarred road all the way up to the Renishaw Hills gatehouse.
For more event queries or for more on the village, contact Renishaw Hills on info@renishawhills.co.za or visit www.renishawhills.co.za
Renishaw Hills shares indigenous coastal garden tips ahead of Botanical Society’s Winter Walks https://t.co/xUdxHnEIYj #ArriveAlive #CoastalGardenTips #WinterWalks #RenishawHills pic.twitter.com/rqksBX9aZy
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) July 12, 2019