April 13 is International Plant Appreciation Day – so this weekend we should all be donning our sunhats, watering cans, spades, compost and heading outdoors.
Of course one doesn’t need a reason to visit a plant nursery; the gardeners among us will tell you that for them every day is the perfect day to appreciate plants. But on the annual events calendar, this weekend, is when we should get in the garden, visit a park or green open space, wonder among the plants in a nursery…. or simply pot a little plant for the kitchen table.
In 1000 Hills we are pretty much geared up all year long to appreciate plants. But for those who like the company of gardens, and plants and nurseries, head to the hills, we are ready for you.
Potting Shed Nursery
Visiting the Potting Shed Nursery which is next to Pot and Kettle in Bothas Hill and gives you a great reason to both peruse the plants, and pop into the Pot and Kettle for a light meal or their legendary Sunday lunch.
The Potting Shed’s Bradley Raath is a respected nurseryman, was a driving force behind last year’s Garden Fair 2023, as well as being the administrator of Life is a Garden (LIAG) – the marketing branch of The South African Nursery Association – a member-driven, non-profit organisation that spreads the love and benefits of gardening to all South Africans.
Fig Tree Farm
Fig Tree Farm’s Jax Moynihan learned quite by chance that she was a natural, gifted gardener when she decided she really really wanted to add flowers, plants and gardening activities to what was already on offer at Fig Tree Farm. She had the space, she had the resources – so with advice from friends, help doing the heavy lifting, and the assistance of Google and TouTube videos, she set out to propagate plants for an extensive nursery and her flower shop. Check out the fabulous results at 57 Inanda Road Hillcrest.
Hillcrest Aids Centre
Hillcrest Aids Centre has a large onsite nursery, called Izingadi Zethema (‘Gardens of Hope’) that sells indigenous and non-indigenous plants for every garden. Using the funds raised from nursery sales, plus added donations, they have started 150 vegetable gardens for poverty-torn families living in the surrounding communities.
The organisation has also started gardens in schools and for community groups. The gardens allow families or schools to grow their own vegetables and become food-secure. They also provide an opportunity for families to bring in a small income by selling the excess produce.
Visit them alongside the fabulous Woza Moya and satellite shops. While enjoying the plant nursery, you can pick up a book on gardening from their book shop, and enjoy an alfresco cup of coffee and cake.
Kloof and Highway SPCA
The Kloof and Highway SPCA has an abundance of plants on sale – carefully guarded by watchful peacocks! Their plant nursery has knowledgeable gardeners on hand to give advice. Of course, visiting the SPCA for plants is one important thing to do, but do browse the other shops too, stay and listen to some music on Saturdays and enjoy a lunch tea garden lunch.
Macnut Farm
Macnut Farm in Lello Road, Assagay has an on-site nursery as part of their majestic picture-perfect garden… which rumour has it includes fairies in their own fairy forest garden! Everything grown at their nursery is propagated in-house. They also have plants, fresh and garden produce on sale at their weekly Sunday market where locals buy and sell their fresh produce – and during which their nursery is open. And watch this space – how to plant a garden, and craft workshops for children of all ages are coming soon – watch this space!
Shongweni Farmers Market
Shongweni Market – held every Saturday morning – has plants and cut flowers for sale, and being set in such a majestic location, visitors can appreciate plants where ever you are in the market.
Ludwigs Star Roses
Life is a Garden in the apt motto of Ludwigs Star Roses in Assagay – surely one of the most colourful retail spaces in the Hills! Their enormous show garden boasts literally hundreds of roses in full bloom. Rose related products and rose boutique products are also available. Easy access and parking makes rose shopping stress free, and Magda and her team are a delight to chat to!
The Mushroom Farm
Close to Ludwig’s Roses in Assay is another country gem – the Mushroom Farm which has its own delightful little nursery nestled in the corner of the property – not far from Peel’s Honey – which of course is another way of appreciating the joyous by-products of plants!
AmmaZulu Sculpture Precinct
One of the big guns of a weekend of appreciating plants must surely be a trip to the AmmaZulu Sculpture Precinct where one can walk through 20 acres of pristine indigenous forest … and about 120 enormous sculptures.
The garden was originally a cattle farm. Over the past 70 years the then owner, Mrs Winkle (and thereafter her son, Peter) converted what was once grassland and blue gums into fantasy world marrying nature and art. They have on-site art studios, and an open air café.
And of course there are plenty of walks, nature trails, conservancies and public spaces
to enjoy too: Ekuhlaleni Nature Park; Hillcrest Conservancy; Kloof Conservancy; the
grounds of Kloof and Highway SPCA; Shongweni weekend Park Runs.