Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch is a botanical garden in Cape Town. It lies on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and is considered one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. He is 36 hectares is the largest of nine National Botanical Gardens, which are operated by the South African National Biodiversity Institute ( SANBI ).

The Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden was founded on July 1, 1913 to preserve the unique biodiversity of the Cape. This principle is maintained even today, using only native plants are shown. So find beds specifically for the South African silver tree plants ( Proteaceae ), the heathers (Erica ), cycads ( Cycadeae ) and the Restionaceae.

In addition, there is a large Sukkulentenbeet, the Mathew 's rock garden, an arboretum, a crop department, a Duftbeet and a dummy path. Also tried using the "water -wise garden" to make water-saving plants attractive for gardens.

The greenhouse at the main entrance shows plants of the main vegetation types of South Africa, such as the Karoo, fynbos and savanna.

In the summer (late November to early April ) are regular concerts take place outdoors.

Lead from the Botanical Garden of several trails off. The path through the "Skeleton Gorge " is one of the most famous trails for Table Mountain. To the north, you can walk on Rhodes ' Memorial along the Devil's Peak to the south, it goes up to Constantia Nek.

History

The land was donated by Cecil Rhodes, the mining magnate and Prime Minister of the Cape, after his death in 1902 the State. This was the area in 1895 bought to protect it from the settlement. On 1 July 1913, the Botanical Garden was founded, its first director was Harold Pearson, whose grave is located in the grounds. As the first curator JW Mathews was used, after the rock garden was named.

Other Facilities

In the botanical gardens feature further comprises:

  • The head office of SANBI
  • The Compton Herbarium
  • The Goldfields Environmental Education Center
  • The Kirstenbosch Research Centre and
  • The Harry Molteno library
Constantia, Cape Town
477524
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