Two beautiful Overberg Gladiolius species are flowering at the moment in the Overberg. Gladiolus meridionalis has magnificent pink flowers that have long perianth tubes with wide cylindrical upper parts and large quantities of nectar, making them ideal for pollination by sunbirds. Somewhat … Continue reading
After some really hot, dry months the first frontal systems have started rolling in off the South Atlantic, bringing some much needed rain to our dry fynbos landscapes.While on a short walk on Witkrans yesterday I was greeted by two flowering … Continue reading
Yesterday evening at about half past six I was out mountain biking and as I headed down a steep hill on Lomond, with the beautiful Kraaibosch dam below, a flash of red caught my eye. Having made a sudden stop and heaved my way back … Continue reading
This morning I was walking through a fynbos patch near Uilkraalsmond, east of Gansbaai. It has been a very hot and dry few months in the Cape, the veld is looking decidedly drab and dry, and I was not expecting to see much … Continue reading
It may be the middle of the summer in the Cape but there are still some floral treats to be enjoyed in the fynbos. I took a walk over the weekend on Witkransberg and came across these beautiful Watsonia schlechteri. This … Continue reading
Lachenalias are members of the Hyacinthaceae family. There are some 66 species in the Cape flora, many of which have become popular horticultural species around the world. Two Lachenalia’s, Lachenalia rosea and Lachenalia variegata are flowering in Walker Bay at … Continue reading
Leucospermum conocarpodendron is in full flower at the moment. I took this photo of a fine speciman above Somerset West in the fynbos overlooking the Da Capo vineyards ( on the lower slopes of the Hottentots Holland Mountains). The area where the … Continue reading
The Kogelberg region of the Cape is generally accepted as the true heart of the Cape floral Kingdom, an area of unprecendeted floral diversity and natural beauty. As a result some 100 000 hectares stretching from the coast (Gordons Bay … Continue reading
While the fields of the large, showy pincushions such as the silver-edge pincushions tend to steal the show at this time of the year, there is a group of other, less obvious pincushion proteas that are also flowering – but … Continue reading
We have had a wonderful spring for flowering annuals and bulbs in the Overberg this year. I think it is a combination of good rains in June and the fact that we are now five years since the last fire … Continue reading
