What if I told you that right here in Durban lies a place older than most cities in South Africa? I am talking about the Durban Botanic Gardens. It is Africa’s oldest surviving botanic garden. Established in 1849, the Durban Botanic Gardens began its life on the banks of the Umgeni River. Imagine a landscape teeming with hippos and crocodiles.
In 1851, the gardens found its permanent home here on the lower slopes of the Berea forest. Roaming lions were not uncommon back then. The Durban Botanic Gardens started as an agricultural research station. Trials of tea, coffee, and arrowroot took place here. Sugar proved most successful. It led to the development of the sugar industry in KwaZulu-Natal. Mark McKen, curator at the time, played a vital role. He brought sugar to South Africa.
Now, let’s stroll through time and meet some remarkable figures. There was John Medley Wood. He was a self-trained botanist. He became known as the father of KwaZulu-Natal botany. Wood founded the Natal Government Herbarium in 1882. It began as a simple wood and corrugated iron hut.
Wood discovered many new plant species. He sent them to Kew Gardens. His most famous discovery was Wood’s Cycad in 1895. The English horticulturalist Henry Sander later named it in his honor. Today, Wood’s Cycad is the emblem of the Durban Botanic Gardens. You can still see the original specimens growing here.
Later, Ernest Thorp took over. He oversaw the construction of the orchid house in 1962. It was later named the Ernest Thorp Orchid House.
The Durban Botanic Gardens boasts diverse plant collections. There are cycads from South Africa and around the world. The orchid collection began in 1931. It now has over 9000 plants. Look out for Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, and Vanda.
The Durban Botanic Gardens also hosts social gatherings. Local music bands perform here. Victorian tea parties take place in the gardens. An indigenous plant fair occurs each September.
Take a moment to appreciate the beauty around you. The Durban Botanic Gardens is a living museum. It connects people and plants. It is a testament to Durban’s rich history. It is a vibrant part of its present. As you leave, remember you have walked through a place of history. You’ve experienced nature’s beauty. You’ve contributed to the ongoing story of Durban Botanic Gardens.