The beautiful and tranquil KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden specialize in the conservation of plants from the eastern region of South Africa and of rare and endangered species from elsewhere.
Established in 1874, the Garden's Victorian past is evident in its magnificent specimens of northern hemisphere plants, such as the swamp cypress, tulip trees, camphor trees, plane trees, giant figs and magnolias. One of the finest features of the Garden is the avenue of London Plane trees, which has been stunning visitors since 1908.
The focus of the Garden is to collect, display and promote the conservation of plants of the eastern grasslands, in particular the genera Clivia, Gerbera, Kniphofia and Watsonia.
A section of the Garden is planted specifically to attract birds which, along with other diverse habitats, makes the Garden rich in bird life, with over 150 species recorded.
A special feature is the fascinating Useful Plants Garden, displaying plants used culturally by the Zulu people for medicine, crafts, food and other uses.
Clivias are usually at their finest from late August to early September. There is a large collection of clivias from known localities, including some of the rare yellow varieties which make a spectacular display.
The Garden is open daily from 08:00-18:00 (October-April) and 08:00-17:30 (May-September).
