As spring blossoms new life, so paves the way for another spectacular flower festival in Makana Botanical Gardens in October.
As spring blossoms new life, so paves the way for another spectacular flower festival in Makana Botanical Gardens in October.
The line-up
On the 29th October (Saturday), editor of The Gardener magazine and TV presenter Tanya Visser will be sharing her experiences from the world-renowned Chelsea Flower Show in the UK. Gardeners looking for the dirt on hot new gardening trends and tips for getting the most out of their own gardens shouldn't miss this talk.
Meanwhile, award winning horticulturist David Davidson will be giving two talks: one on South Africa’s participation in the Chelsea Flower Show through the years, and another on flower shows in Asia. Both promise to be visually spectacular with slideshows of some of the world’s best flower arrangements.
Workshops
For a more hands-on experience, there are workshops running all weekend. Learn about some of the medicinal properties of local plants, the finer points of flower arrangement, or how to keep your garden naturally bug free. Junior gardeners whose horticultural interest is only beginning to sprout will have plenty to look forward to as well. Throughout the weekend there will be workshops for kids including an introduction to gardening that sends each participant home with their own potted veggie.
Food and entertainment
The restaurant will be open at Ornee Cottage and there will be a tea room adjacent to the Pam Golding Hall which will service hot beverages and cakes. Other food stalls will be available.
Floral and plant exhibits, garden stalls, jumping castles, face-painting and donkey cart rides will be available as well as the St Andrews’ Bagpipe band, the St Andrews’ Prep Marimba band and the Kingswood College jazz band will be performing on the days.
Competitions
You might know that your garden is the best on your block, but if you want to hold official bragging rights for an entire year, then you’ll have to enter the garden competition. No matter how big or small your plot is, there’s a category for you, and the winning entries will be proudly highlighted with a stop on a shuttle tour that will be running all weekend. If the look on your neighbour’s face when a bus-load of people stops by to admire your handiwork isn’t enough of an incentive, the R500 cash prize for first place in each category should convince you to get weeding.
If you’re proud of your plants but don’t want to show off your entire garden, the flower competition has well over a hundred categories of cut and potted plants, with great prizes for the winners. Children with an eye for ornamentation will also have an opportunity to compete in their own section of the flower competition.
Details
The festival will take place from the 29-30 October 2011. The fees involve: R100 Weekend Pass allows you access for the whole weekend, including workshops, but excluding guest speaker talks.
Otherwise:
R20 – Adults
R10 – Students
R5 – Scholars
Parking is available in the following areas:
· Botanical Gardens parking lot above the Lucas Avenue entrance
· Parking lot opposite the Lucas Avenue gates
· Botany Department parking lot
· Eden Grove parking lot
For more information contact Cathy or Cathy or Lindsay on 046 622 7896, or fill in the entry forms, or to purchase tickets at www.grahamstownflowerfestival.co.za.
