Here, in the heart of Johannesburg, lies a green lung. This is the Johannesburg Botanical Garden.
The Johannesburg Botanical Garden wasn’t always a lush paradise. Imagine this space as a bare veld. It was a sports field and golf driving range. That was before 1969. Now, it’s a vibrant tapestry of life.
The Johannesburg Botanical Garden is an 81-hectare haven. It’s a place for runners, picnickers, and dog walkers. Concerts and kite-flying competitions fill the air with joy sometimes.
But there’s more to the Johannesburg Botanical Garden than recreation. It is a garden of themed delights. We have the Shakespeare Garden here. We also have the Rose Garden, the Herb Garden, and the Hedge Demonstration Garden.
Let’s not forget the main Arboretum. It houses family groupings of plants. These plants and trees come from South Africa and the rest of the world.
Take a moment to appreciate the mix of indigenous and exotic plants. They are surrounded by lawns. They overlook the Emmarentia Dam. The dam dates back to the turn of the century.
Canoeists and boaters love the Emmarentia Dam. The dam is fed by two smaller dams. These smaller dams are home to many aquatic birds.
Did you know Johannesburg lacked a botanical garden for 50 years? Despite pleas since the 1920s, it remained without one. Finally, in 1968, the city council approved the establishment of the Johannesburg Botanical Garden.
The Johannesburg Botanical Garden’s master plan incorporates 42 plant families. These families include South African and exotic species. They create an aesthetic and botanical picture.
The Rose Garden is a highlight. It was laid out in 1964. Curator Patric Chambers created it. It features seven sloping terraces. Over 10000 roses bloom here. New roses are planted each year. Water features and fountains add to the beauty.
The Shakespeare Garden has herbs mentioned in Shakespeare’s works. Quotes are attached to the labels. The garden hosts Shakespearean events.
Opened in 2006, the Succulent Garden showcases over 85 succulent species. It has a desert-like design. The Johannesburg Botanical Garden also has six glasshouses with succulents.
The Arboretum boasts indigenous and exotic trees. You’ll find Californian Redwoods, silver birches, and English oaks. The Johannesburg Botanical Garden has over 20000 indigenous trees.
The Herb Garden contains culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal herbs. It even has plants used in African traditional medicine.
The Johannesburg Botanical Garden Herbarium houses 5532 plant specimens. The library contains books and journals on botany-related subjects.
Don’t miss the Huguenot monument at the top of the rose garden. It commemorates the 300th anniversary of the Huguenots in South Africa.
The Johannesburg Botanical Garden is more than just a garden. It’s a place of history, beauty, and conservation. It connects us to nature. It also connects us to each other. It is a green lung for our city.