Spring is a great time to visit the Western Cape. The weather is more inviting and our spectacular spring wildflower displays are a must-see. Below you will find Flower Season News from our National Botanical Gardens as well as a list of Spring Wildflower shows in the region.

• Hantam NBG Flower Season News
• Karoo Desert NBG Flower Season News
• Spring Displays at our other National Botanical Gardens
• Spring Wildflower Shows

Hantam NBG 2010 Flower Season News

We have some good news for those of you who are anxiously watching the weather reports so that you can decide on whether to visit us or not!  The average rainfall for the Nieuwoudtville area for May and June was approximately 111 mm and the Hantam National Botanical Garden received 142 mm for May and June 2010 which is above average and a good start for a promising season.

And we have some not so good news. It has become quite dry during the last couple of weeks, but… the chances for more rain remain high as the average rainfall for July is 53 mm and for August 50 mm. According to Simon Todd (Independent Ecological Consultant, Plant Conservation Unit, UCT) who is based in Nieuwoudtville, the most important indicator for good flowers is adequate rainfall late in the season, from late July to early August. “If we get about 25 mm before the end of July we can expect a good flower season”, he says. He adds "sometimes the flowers are actually best in slightly drier years, because the other vegetation, such as grasses, does not grow so much with the result that the geophytes (bulbs) do better and the flowers are more exposed and conspicuous.”

Watch this page for regular updates on our July and August rainfall. So far we are on track for a good season, but rainfall over the next three weeks will be crucial and play an important role in whether we will be able to attract visitors to our beautiful wild flower garden.

Please do come and visit us as flowers aren’t all we have to offer. Come and experience for yourself the quiet magic of our open spaces, take deep breaths of fresh air, listen to the call of blue cranes, and open your eyes to all mother nature has to offer.

Observe, take photos and learn …

Karoo Desert NBG 2010 Flower Season News

At the Karoo Desert NBG the Orange Namaqualand Daisies are starting this spring season on a high note. Throughout the garden, but especially at the lower and upper parking, the daises are colouring the landscape with their bright orange flowers.

Pink Pelargonium sericifolium is flowering between the quiver trees. Magrietjies, pietsnot, bokbaaivygies, gousblomme and many more plants still needs to flower.

Spring at our other National Botanical Gardens

Free State NBG

Harold Porter NBG

Kirstenbosch NBG

KwaZulu-Natal NBG
Lowveld NBG

Pretoria NBG
Walter Sisulu NBG

Spring wildflower shows 2010

These shows are run independently. For further information please contact the numbers listed below.

Vanrhynsdorp Succulent Show
August - September 2010

Contact: 027 219-1062

Piketberg Agriculture & Flower Show
5-7 August 2010
Conact

Hopefield Fynbos Show
26 – 29 August 2010
Contact: 022 783-0856

Langebaan Feathers, Flowers & Fossil Weekend
27 - 29 August 2010
Contact: 022 783-0385

Darling Duckitt Nurseries Orchid Show
16-19 September 2010
Contact: 022 492-2606

Darling Wildflower Show
17 – 19 September 2010
Contact: 022 492-3361