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Roses, herbs, a garden of flowers that inspired Shakespeare (do remember to take your notepad in case a poem wants to write itself, who knows which Muse will visit you here), a rare succulent collection, the ideal picnic spot, a place to walk the dogs, watch birds, listen to music... lick an ice-cream while you lazily gaze at the canoeists and ducks expending energy on the dam. Is it any wonder the Johannesburg Botanic Garden is Joburg´s most enjoyable one-stop tranquil treat?
The Johannesburg Botanic Garden is home to some of the finest plant collections in the world. We provide 81ha of open space within six kilometres of the Joburg city centre.
Our main purpose is to provide scientific research, information and education about the flora of the world through our well-resourced Library, Herbarium and educational activities. In addition, we have huge recreation and picnic areas. We are a unique institution that forms a worldwide network of centres with special skills in the cultivation and propagation of plants.
We play a very important role in the conservation of the flora and vegetation of those regions of the world of which are severely threatened.
The Johannesburg Botanic Garden is home to:
A rose garden with more than 4 500 different hybrids of roses. The newest roses on the market can be viewed here.
A water feature consisting of terraced ponds and fountains
A herb garden which includes a collection of culinary, cosmetic and medicinal herbs. This is undoubtedly the best public herb garden in the country. Here all the usual herbs can be viewed and smelled. A special section is devoted to African medical herbs.
A collection of succulents exceeding 2 500 specimens – this is one of the best succulent collections in the world. It includes all the South African species, as well as plants from Namibia, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, the Canary Islands, Europe, Asia and the Americas. These are housed in six glasshouses and can normally be viewed by appointment only.
A collection of more than 20 000 indigenous and exotic trees
A Shakespeare Garden offers bookworms the opportunity to see all the plants referred to the Bard´s work, including mint, marjoram and lavender. All plants are labelled and carry a quote from the play or sonnet from which they came.
The Botanic Garden is involved in a seed exchange programme with 300 other gardens worldwide.
The Sima Eliovson Floreum is a favourite venue for meetings and gatherings. Canoeists row on the dam daily. The rolling lawns and trails are popular with sportspeople, local residents and dog lovers. Birdwatchers attend birding sessions and music lovers attend the concerts often held in the park. Watch the press for details.
The Botanic Gardens are situated close to the city centre with equally green neighbours like Melville Koppies and West Park Cemetery only a stone’s throw away. All of these facilities are managed by Johannesburg City Parks.
With the Emmarentia Dam (7,5 hectares) offering rowing enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy their sport in a safe environment within the city, the Gardens are the favourite playground of many Joburg families.
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Botanic Garden
