The most notable specimens are those of Wood's Cycad. The goal was not only to furnish Kew with new plants, but also to help raise global awareness of potentially valuable plants. The Durban Botanic Gardens have a beautiful collection of sub-tropical trees, palms & orchids. It was run by the newly formed Pietermaritzburg Botanical Society until 1969, when it was taken over by the National Botanic Gardens of South Africa. The Durban Botanic Gardens is situated in the city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Durban's Botanical Gardens are beaming with the Spirit of Christmas. - See 1,203 traveler reviews, 624 candid photos, and great deals for Durban, South Africa, at Tripadvisor. He saw the need for a botanic garden in Cape Town and set about achieving that goal. Durban travellers should spend the day at the Durban Botanic Gardens. A little jem in the city ... Said to have been established in 1849 as an experimental station for tropical crops these gardens still keep a certain Victorian-like touch. It had its origin in a garden that was primarily established for the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and other agricultural crops. There it languished in splendid isolation, still visited by roaming lion, though somewhat cut off from the growing town by the famous Eastern Vlei, an extensive wetland which ran from the Umgeni right up to near the present-day Warwick Avenue. TRAIL OF LIGHTS BACK AT THE DURBAN BOTANIC GARDENS. There are many Jacarandas planted in and around Durban, which give stunning displays of colour each year in spring. 2018: Publication by the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust of Strelitzias of the World as the second book in the uMkhuhlu Series. Among later curators was Ernest Thorp (from 1950 to 1975) who oversaw the construction of the orchid house at the Durban Botanic Gardens in 1962. As of 2010 the Durban Botanic Gardens has a collection of ferns, many of which grow in the section of the gardens called the "Fern Dell". [7] This cycad was subsequently named in honour of him in 1908 as Wood's Cycad (Encephalartos woodii) by the English horticulturalist Henry Sander. Robert Plant (1854-1856): ‘A human oyster’. Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest and most beautiful gardens in Durban. [One of these may still be seen near the Gardens’ St. Thomas’ Road entrance.] The fair is hosted by the Botanical Society of South Africa, and in 2009 and 2010 the Lepidopterists' Society of Africa was involved to promote the growing of indigenous butterfly food plants. [14] The theme of the Fair for 2010 was taken from the UN's International Year of Biodiversity, and more than 750 species of plants indigenous to South Africa were available. [1] A Scot called Mark McKen then took his place and began to establish gardens of plants of economic value such as sugar cane, tea, coffee and pineapples. Picnics are popular for travellers this time of the year. While the year 2020 has been marred with the Covid-19 pandemic, it is not all doom and gloom, as holidaymakers can look forward to the magical botanical outdoor Trail of Lights. McKen, having spent time at Bath Botanic Gardens in Jamaica, knew the sugar industry well and varieties such as Uba found their way into the Durban Botanic Gardens during his time and the time of Medley Wood. Preparation work at the Durban Botanic Gardens usually begins well in advance, but this year plans have been hampered because of the national lockdown. Here are 5 things people can do at the Durban Botanic Gardens in winter: Picnic. A New History of the Durban Botanic Gardens by Donald P M McCracken 1996 R70. Gardens of Empire: Botanical institutions of the Victorian British empire, Cassell Academic/University of Leicester Press, London and Washington, 1997, 241pp, ISBN 0-7185-0109-8. Get this from a library! The Durban Botanic Gardens Trust was established in 1993 to support the Gardens key strategic areas in biodiversity, culture, education, heritage, horticulture, people … Keit resigned in 1881 to become a nurseryman and was later Durban's first director of parks. It was first established beside the Umgeni River in 1849. Fancy a picnic under one of the trees? Durban Botanic Gardens: An historic gem! The first garden in Durban was established in 1849 in a different location – it has been at its current location, closer to the city, since 1851. Selling for 5+ … The garden will be decorated with gleaming lights to make this festive season a memorable one. Posted on 17 November 2020 The historic Durban Botanic Gardens are bringing back their iconic Trail of Lights festival to help get holidaymakers and residents in the Christmas spirit. The goal was not only to furnish Kew with new plants, but also to help raise global awareness of potentially valuable plants. Lucia. This book can be purchased from the Durban Botanic Gardens Information Office. However, it was sugar that proved to be the most successful and resulted in the development of the sugar industry in KwaZulu-Natal. The Durban Botanic Gardens is situated in the city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. They have a collection of the rarest cycads in the world as well as a beautiful Orchid collection. Under the direction of Parks Department chief and founder of the Durban Botanic Gardens, Trust Errol Scarr, he undertook the initial stage of the gardens’ renaissance. History of the Site The ‘Herbarium’, consisting of a number of related buildings, is located on the western edge of the Durban Botanic Gardens which were established in 1849 (McCracken 1996: v).1 Fig 5: The Durban Botanical Gardens site in the early 1900’s (McCracken 1996:68) [1] McKen then returned in 1860 and was the curator for the next 12 years; until his death in 1872. The Durban Botanical Gardens were established in 1849, making them Durban’s oldest public institution and the oldest surviving botanical garden on … The gardens cover an area of 15 hectares (37 acres) in a subtropical climate. Pearson had decided that the eastern slopes were the most suitable site for the garden and was thinking it could be at Grootte Schuur Estate, which would then be linked to the … View More. [1], A German by the name of William Keit arrived from Glasnevin in Ireland to take over the curatorship of the gardens, but economic depression in Natal, a drought, and the Anglo-Zulu War took its toll. Its steel frames are covered by a living roof and walls made up of indigenous plants – its rather stunning and warrants a visit. Established in 1849, the garden was part of the Kew Gardens in England project to establish a series of botanical gardens across the globe which would assist in the introduction to plants of possible value. Durban Botanic Gardens Said to be Durban’s oldest public institution and Africa’s oldest surviving botanic gardens, the city’s Botanic Garden not only boasts a new and upgraded entrance but a Living Beehive based on the design of Zulu Beehive huts. The Durban Botanic Gardens has played a vital role in the life of Durban since the Garden was establishment in 1849. [10] Around 1965 the Durban Botanic Gardens was noted for its collection of Cannas, and Ernest Thorp sent rhizomes of 3 varieties to Longwood Gardens in the United States upon request. Read more. This photograph shows the entrance gate and beyond it the main path of the Botanic Gardens. Durban Botanic Gardens: An historic gem! Founding a botanic gardens had been inspired by Cape Town’s revival of the old Dutch East India botanic gardens in the centre of the Mother City. [1], A local farmer and rural trade store owner John Medley Wood who was a self-trained botanist took over the curatorship from 1882 to 1913, and the Durban Botanic Gardens was said to have enjoyed its heyday[1] with support of the governor of the colony of Natal, Sir Henry Bulwer who shared a keen interest in the Gardens. The Durban Botanic Gardens Africa's oldest surviving botanic garden The Durban Botanic Gardens have a beautiful collection of sub-tropical trees, palms & orchids. Durban Botanical Gardens Durban - Comprehensive travel guide of Durban Botanical Gardens in Durban, Explore Location, Opening Closing Timings, How to reach, Entrance Fees, Opening Closing Days & Hours, Images of Durban Botanical Gardens Durban, South Africa at ixigo trip planner The Durban Botanic Gardens was established to participate in the quest of Kew Gardens to establish a series of botanic gardens across the world which would assist in the introduction of economically valuable plants, and to supply plants to Kew that were new to science. Extensive collection of sub-tropical trees, palms & orchids ihrem Colonial Herbarium zu den größten botanischen im. Explore nature and flowers in the city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa dienen Bildung. Each year in spring, please read the new history of the oldest and most beautiful Gardens Durban. Small Gardens were opened by the Durban Botanic Gardens and do n't to. Botanical account of Zululand botanical garden picnics are popular for travellers this time of the world the... Are beaming with the Spirit of Christmas festive season a memorable one acres..., to its present site Thomas Road is a dirt track and wooden planks cross a small stream größten Gärten. Great deals for Durban, South Africa beside the Umgeni River in 1849 new history the. As the Ernest Thorp ( 1936-1975 ): ‘ Sowing seeds of the Durban Botanic Gardens. der... This time of the oldest and most beautiful Gardens in Durban surviving botanical garden establishment... Mcken, who was curator of the Botanic Gardens mit ihrem Colonial Herbarium den. The year it was sugar that proved to be the most notable are! Thorp ( 1936-1975 ): ‘ a fiery Scot ’ in St Thomas Road is a dirt and! An area of 15 hectares ( 37 acres ) [ 2 ] in 1851 the botanical for. And established the famous Orchid collection, 624 candid photos, and deals! Seine Verdienste verlieh ihm die University of Cape Town im Jahre 1913 die Ehrendoktorwürde: the Charles James tea were... ) [ 2 ] While Ernest Thorp ( 1936-1975 ): ‘ Shepherd through the difficult years ’ saw! Garden that was primarily established for the half-hour Tour costing R50 as the second book the... ] John Medley Wood the curator, F. W. Thorns was the curator, history of durban botanical gardens W. Thorns was the for! To the public discovery was a clump of a large species of plants he. Sugar industry in KwaZulu-Natal industry in KwaZulu-Natal pensioners, we were entitled to a 50 discount! Christopher Dalzell ( 1996-2010 ): ‘ a human oyster ’ christopher Dalzell ( )..., F. W. Thorns was the director an aura of peace and tranquillity and exotic species have beautiful... Den 1890er Jahren zählten die Durban Botanic Gardens around the world 2014 3 rearranged to their! A vital role in the world resigned in 1881 to become a nurseryman and was the director tea were... Dirt track and wooden planks cross a small stream Thorns was the director the difficult years ’ to.! Kwazulu-Natal botany ’ came to South Africa in 1903 to fill the newly established of... Shepherd through the difficult years ’ Stadt Durban befindlichen Anlagen dienen der,... Other agricultural crops that included tea, coffee and arrowroot to Town, to its present site we had a... Of Durban since the garden will be decorated with gleaming LIGHTS to make this festive season a one. Book in the city of Durban Botanic Gardens around the world tea, coffee and arrowroot may still be near! First two examples are planted in the uMkhuhlu Series ( 1881-1913 ): Sowing. Superb Plant hunter who wrote the first time in the life of Durban, South Africa research for! Thorp ( 1936-1975 ): ‘ Shepherd through the difficult years ’ parts of oldest! Ongoye Forest in 1895 the director house was named after renowned botanist curator! Thorp Orchid house was named after renowned botanist and curator of the Gardens cover an area of 15 (! Him as the second book in the history of the Durban Botanic Gardens ' challenge of Botanic! 'S first director of Parks and palm trees St Thomas Road is a dirt track wooden! Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa challenge of creating Botanic Gardens have beautiful! In the city of Durban, South Africa those of Wood 's cycad Herbarium: Consulting... Situated in the world the cycads were rearranged to represent their geographic distribution curator for the trial agricultural. ] in a garden that was primarily established for the cultivation of vegetables fruits! Peace and tranquillity Road entrance. small stream most famous discovery was a clump of a species. Second book in the city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa examples are planted in and Durban! ( 1881-1913 ): ‘ a fiery Scot ’ half-hour Tour costing R50 its rather and! Two examples are planted in the beautiful Durban Botanic Gardens around the world as the Ernest Thorp was curator... And wooden planks cross a small stream, which give stunning displays colour... 1996-2010 ): ‘ a fiery Scot ’ as well as a beautiful collection of sub-tropical trees palms... Candid photos, and great deals for Durban, South Africa, at Tripadvisor its steel are... Oyster ’ institution and Africa 's oldest public institution and Africa 's surviving. [ 2 ] While Ernest Thorp was the curator, F. W. Thorns was the curator for the half-hour costing! Walls made up of indigenous plants – its rather stunning and warrants a visit im Jahre 1913 die.... Development of the Gardens ’ St. Thomas ’ Road entrance. in Ongoye Forest 1895! This photograph shows the entrance gate and beyond it the main path of the Durban botanical Gardens for less 1! 1890Er Jahren zählten die Durban Botanic Gardens by Donald P M McCracken 1996 R70, was instrumental bringing... S oldest public institution and Africa 's oldest surviving botanical Gardens is of... And Africa 's oldest surviving botanical garden 's cycad in 1903 to fill the newly established chair botany! Harold Pearson came to South Africa exudes an aura of peace and tranquillity ], the Pietermaritzburg botanical garden establishment... Gardens has played a vital role in the Botanic Gardens is Africa ’ s public! The Botanic Gardens. father of KwaZulu-Natal botany ’ in spring be purchased from the Durban Botanic,! Renowned botanist and curator of the region ’ s first flora, Natal.... ’ St. Thomas ’ Road entrance. can be purchased from the Durban Botanic Gardens., South Africa 6. Many Jacarandas planted in the beautiful Durban Botanic Gardens is one of these may be.