Cape Horticultural Society

For years we have driven past this old power station near Mossel Bay..watching as it was slowly engulfed in a wild ficus tree.
This year we stopped to take a photo...amazing how the building has withstood the wind and weight of the tree.

🌍 World Environment Day | 5 June

Did you know that even the smallest garden can make a positive impact on the environment?

From planting indigenous species and supporting pollinators to composting garden waste and creating habitat for birds, the choices we make in our gardens can help build healthier ecosystems and more resilient communities.

This World Environment Day, we're sharing 5 simple ways gardeners can make a difference, one plant at a time.

Every indigenous plant added, every bee welcomed, and every patch of healthy soil nurtured contributes to a greener future for us all.

Which of these actions are you already doing in your garden? Let us know in the comments below. 🌿

🌿 June Garden Talk: Erica, the Hidden Wonders of the Cape Floristic Region 🌿

Join us on Monday, 1 June as Cape Town botanist Dr Ren Hoekstra takes us into the fascinating world of the genus Erica, one of the most diverse and unique plant groups in the Cape Floristic Region.

Through his work with the Custodians for Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW), Dr Hoekstra has spent years exploring remote Cape mountains in search of rare, threatened, and even previously unknown plant species. His talk will share stories of discovery, conservation, and the incredible diversity hidden within our local flora.

Whether you're passionate about indigenous plants, conservation, botany, or simply love learning more about the natural world around us, this promises to be a fascinating evening.

📅 Monday, 1 June 2026
🕢 19:30
📍 The Athenaeum, 1 Mariendahl Lane, Newlands (Entrance through Boundary Terraces)
R40 entry fee for non-members

Send us a message for more information.

Our meeting in May started with the AGM, which gave us the opportunity to reflect on the society, celebrate our community, and officially welcome three new Honorary Members whose dedication and passion for horticulture have contributed so much over the years. 🌿

We ended the evening on a fun note with a plant-themed quiz hosted by Kathy and Jill, filled with laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of plant knowledge.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to make the CHS such a special community for plant lovers.

Don’t miss the next meeting. June 1st 🪴 keep an eye out for more details.

Become a member and be part of the community, talks, outings, and events throughout the year. 🌱

At our recent AGM, the Cape Horticultural Society had the privilege of awarding Honorary Membership to three remarkable women whose passion, knowledge, and dedication have greatly enriched our society and inspired generations of gardeners.

🌿 Jenny Scarr (right)
Trained at Kew Gardens, Jenny came to South Africa after marrying fellow horticulturist Errol Scarr and lectured in Durban for 10 years. Over the years, she has generously shared her knowledge of orchids, plants, and indigenous bulbs with members and gardening enthusiasts alike. A past Chairlady of the CHS, Jenny’s passion for horticulture and willingness to teach have left a lasting impact on our society.

🌿 Glenda Thorpe (middle)
Glenda’s dedication to the CHS has gone far beyond her role as secretary. For many years she has worked tirelessly behind the scenes with efficiency, warmth, and good humour. From writing newsletters and sharing horticultural updates to helping keep members connected during Covid, Glenda has played an invaluable role in keeping the CHS thriving and welcoming.

🌿 Pam Hart (left)
Growing up in the nursery trade, Pam developed a lifelong passion and deep knowledge of gardening from an early age. As the face of Hart Nursery, established in 1993, Pam has dedicated herself to environmentally friendly and water-wise gardening practices. Together with her husband Gary, she has inspired generations of gardeners through her nursery, talks, and commitment to gardening in harmony with nature.

We thank Jenny, Glenda, and Pam for their extraordinary contributions to horticulture and to the CHS community. Their passion and generosity continue to enrich us all.

What a beautiful day at the Cape Horticultural Society Plant Sale 🌿

After a rainy day of setup, Sunday greeted us with sunshine, refreshed plants, and the magical garden of our generous host, Bernice, whose trees and garden have been lovingly cultivated over the past 50 years.

The morning was filled with everything that makes the CHS special:
🌱 Members pulling together with such warmth and willingness
🌱 Friends reconnecting over coffee and treats in the tea garden
🌱 Fresh vegetables lining the driveway with their incredible scent
🌱 Young families and children exploring the sale together
🌱 Plant lovers chatting, laughing, and sharing knowledge throughout the garden
🌱 10 wonderful new members joining the society

A special thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible, from the hardworking volunteers to Anne and the tea garden team who kept up with a constant stream of coffee orders all morning ☕️

While this year’s sale may not have been our biggest financially, the atmosphere, community spirit, and shared love of plants reminded us what the CHS is truly about: connection, gardening, learning, and enjoying beautiful spaces together.

Thank you to everyone who came and supported the day. We hope to see you at the next one 🌸

GardeningSouthAfrica CapeTownPlants

Looking for a relaxed, feel-good evening with fellow plant lovers? 🌿

Join us for our Annual General Meeting followed by a fun plant quiz night. No pressure, no stress, just a chance to connect, learn, and enjoy a bit of lighthearted competition together.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, you’ll be part of a welcoming community that shares your love for plants.

✨ Come as you are
✨ Meet like-minded people
✨ Enjoy a fun, social evening

🕐 Monday, 4 May 2026 @ 19:30
📍 The Athenaeum, 1 Mariendahl Lane, Newlands (entrance through Boundary Terraces).
🎫 R40 entry fee for non-member (no need to book)
Plenty of parking

Message us to find out more or how to join as a member. We’d love to have you there.

🌿 Cape Horticultural Society Annual Plant Sale 🌿

Join us for a beautiful morning in the garden and discover some truly special plants for your home.

Find something special, from unusual plants and bulbs to shrubs and succulents, and get planting now for a vibrant spring garden. 🌸

☕ Enjoy tea, coffee, and treats while browsing
🌱 Get expert gardening advice
🌿 Find unique plants at great prices

📍 22 Ladies Mile, Constantia
🗓 Sunday 3 May
⏰ 09:00 – 13:00

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, there’s something here for you. Bring a friend and come explore 🌿

For enquiries, contact Chris 060 402 2089 / [email protected]

Let us know if you’d like more info or how to get involved with the society.

Our outing to Linda’s was ideal for a hot autumn day as we had lots of lovely filtered shady areas to see. Stepping through the front gate, we were greeted with various staghorn ferns attached to a large tree in her courtyard. Shady streptocarpus, delicate geraniums, oxalis, fuchsias and anthuriums grace this dappled shady spot with a delicate plectranthus growing up a trellis. Linda spent time explaining how the garden evolved over time and explained how the stream was installed by her husband who is handy with these projects. Otherwise he loves to keep the lawn in good nick. Linda has a number of moon flowers including some she grew from cuttings brought from her overseas travels. Various shades of Barleria flourish along with plectranthus putting on an autumn show. She has several statues featured around the garden. Her propagating area is in a dappled shaded area. She has had her wooden planter boxes built to be twice the size of the standard type. Here she propagates and has suitable spaces for making her own compost using leaves and kitchen waste. We enjoyed a delicious tea on her verandah overlooking a Duranta full of golden autumn berries.

Visit one of Cape Town’s most inspiring plant communities 🌿

This April, we’re hosting a special talk on the Grootbos Florilegium – a remarkable collaboration of botanical artists capturing South Africa’s flora.

Join us for an evening with Vicki Thomas, whose work spans decades of botanical illustration, exhibitions, and teaching.

What you can expect:
• The story behind the Grootbos Florilegium
• A closer look at botanical art and indigenous plants
• A welcoming space filled with people who love plants as much as you do

This is just one of the many experiences you get as part of the Cape Horticultural Society.

📍 The Athenaeum, Newlands
🗓 6 April
⏰ 19:30
🎟️ R40 For Non Members

Message us for more info











Send us a message to find out how to attend and become a member.