Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The Annual General Meeting of the GRBG Trust, which is normally held in June, has been delayed as a

consequence of the COVID-19 regulations. With these having lifted to Level 3, we are now able to hold

the meeting, provided strict protocols are followed.

We will hold our AGM on Saturday, 8 August 2020 at 11:00 in the

Environmental Education Centre (EEC), located on the Garden premises.

All those attending the meeting will be required to follow strict social

distancing protocols. To allow for this, we will only be able to admit

25 persons to the EEC. Those wishing to attend the meeting in person

should therefore email info@botanicalgarden.org.za to secure their place.

The meeting will simultaneously be conducted virtually via Zoom. Anyone

unable to attend in person can therefore follow and participate in the

proceedings online. To do so, email info@botanicalgarden.org.za to request

a Zoom invitation.

July 2020

News

Important Announcements

from the GRBG Trust

Please take note of the following four announcements from the Garden Route

Botanical Garden Trust regarding matters arising in the near future.

Newsletter

Election of Trustees

It is standard at the AGM to hold an election of new trustees to serve on the GRBG Board of Trustees. In

terms of the Trust Agreement, once elected, trustees serve a two-year term and they must retire before

the third AGM following their election is held.

As a consequence, we have two trustees retiring before the 8 August AGM. In line

with the Trust Agreement, these two trustees may also offer themselves for

re-election. In addition, we have had resignations from two trustees, so there is a

requirement to elect four trustees in total at the 2020 AGM.

We are therefore calling for nominations for trustees from ordinary members of the Trust.

Trustee Responsibilities

The role of the trustees is critical in ensuring the sustainability of our beloved Botanical Garden and we

earnestly appeal to people with energy, enthusiasm and appropriate competencies to come forward for this

important position. Nominees should have a keen interest and passion for the GRBG and the protection,

display and education of Southern Cape flora. Trustee duties can range from hands-on involvement in the

Garden and its various projects, to working behind the scenes in promotion, fundraising, events, education

and much more.

Nomination Process

Any member who wishes to be a trustee must approach any of the existing trustees or a fellow member

and indicate to them your interest in becoming a trustee. (This is essential as you have to be nominated

by a member of the Garden Route Botanical Garden other than yourself to be considered.)

The nominator must complete a Nomination Form which can be obtained at the GRBG front office.

The nominee must attach their Curriculum Vitae and a Letter of Motivation to the completed

Nomination Form. These should outline their career experience, knowledge and any interests that will

make them a valuable addition to the GRBG Board of Trustees.

Applications must be sent to info@botanicalgarden.org.za

The closing date for applicants is Thursday, 30 July 2020 at midnight.

The nominees’ CVs and motivation letters will then be available at the front office

of the Garden for inspection by all members prior to the election on 8 August.

For those not able to attend the meeting physically, we will enable online voting on

Zoom. Alternatively, you can give your proxy in writing to any other member taking part in the meeting.

Retiring and Resigning Trustees

The two trustees who are retiring before the 8 August AGM, and who may offer themselves for re-election,

are Elizabeth Boshoff and Raymond Auberbach.

The two trustees who are resigning from the Board of Trustees are Lauren Elsom and Peter Ginn. Lauren

organised and managed our annual Science Week in 2019, which not only educated hundreds of local students

and gave them an opportunity to experience the Garden, but raised a sizable donation for the GRBG. Peter

has been an invaluable contributor to the GRBG for many years, his most recent contribution being the

donation of his book The Ultimate Companion for Birding in South Africa, copies of which are still available for

sale at the front office. The GRBG would like to thank these trustees for all of their hard work and dedication

and we wish them well in all future endeavours.

Reopening the Garden

The Level 3 COVID-19 regulations specifically exclude the opening of “beaches and public parks”. We

have consequently followed SANBI’s recommendations and the Garden will remain closed to

the public until such time as the regulations are eased. We have, however, determined we should be

able to allow members to access the Garden under strict COVID-19 protocols.

This reopening will commence on Tuesday, 7 July 2020 at 07:30.

Only members will be admitted to the GRBG and only if they present a current membership card and

ID document, which are essential to our control, and wear a face mask when in the vicinity of GRBG

staff and other visitors. Groups of visitors may not exceed three members per group. Entrance will

only be permitted from the Protea Gate next to the front office/reception area and a register of

everyone accessing the garden will be maintained.

Things to Look Forward to in the Garden!

Apart from the Main Garden, members will be able to access all other areas and facilities in the

Garden, except for the Southern Cape Herbarium. While not part of the initial reopening, plans are

underway to reopen the restaurant and tea garden as soon as possible.

While exploring the Main Garden, be sure to look out for the following:

Lachenalia sp. popping up across the Garden.

Nuxia Floribunda (forest elder) and Psoralea pinnata (fountain bush) flowering around the dam. The

blending of their sweet scents is best experienced mornings and early evenings.

Proteas and Ericas flowering around the dam, the Levinski’s Display Bed and the meadow.

The Aloe Display Bed is in mass flower. Take your time to inspect all the different species, their flowers

and the different types of bees that frequent them.

Financial Position of the Trust

We know that government funds are being redirected to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the

economic effects of the lockdown, but somehow public benefit organisations are not seen as needing

this government assistance.

The role which the Garden, via the Trust, plays in preserving the heritage of our unique Garden Route

fauna and flora is of national and international importance. Furthermore, having a botanical garden

that meets international standards is an important feature for the city of George, especially in terms of

the City’s desire to have a footprint in the regional and national tourism market.

Unfortunately, without support the Trust cannot continue to preserve and improve the Garden as a

showcase of our natural heritage. We would ask that all our friends who have influence over those

holding the purse strings of municipal, provincial and national budgets, try to encourage our politicians

to continue to support our Garden.

As Trust, we will do everything we can to increase revenues in every possible way and will probably

have to review our current very low membership and access fees.

Again we appeal to all friends and lovers of the Garden for financial support. The Garden’s banking

details appear below. Every contribution, no matter the size, is greatly appreciated. Thank you for

your continued support.

GRBG Banking Details:

Name: Garden Route Botanical Garden

Trust (Current Account)

Bank: Standard Bank, George

Account No: 281 859 183

Branch code: 050 214

In our April newsletter we outlined how the financial position of

the GRBG Trust is likely to come under serious strain as a

consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. A review of our budget

for the financial year ending 28 February 2021 shows that our

normal revenue sources may be reduced by up to a third

compared to the previous year. As we budget on a break even

basis, this means that we will have to drastically cut back on our

costs, which could result in having to curtail the work being done

in the Garden.

Notices EV

Donations Welcome

The Garden Route

Botanical Garden is

a non-

governmental

organisation (NGO)

and relies heavily

on donations from

the public to fund

our activities. (Sadly, although we know a thing or

two about trees, we haven’t quite figured out how

to make money grow on them.)

If any person, organisation or business would like to

support the GRBG monetarily, this can be done

online at www.botanicalgarden.org.za/make-a-

donation or by making a deposit directly into our

account using the banking details provided further

below. You can also phone our offices at 044 874

1558 or email info@botanicalgarden.org.za.

All donations properly receipted by the Garden in

terms of Section 18A are tax deductible. Any

donation – big or small – will be greatly

appreciated.

GRBG Banking Details:

Name: Garden Route Botanical Garden

Trust (Current Account)

Bank: Standard Bank, George

Account No: 281 859 183

Branch code: 050 214

Thank you for your continued support.

No Events During July

As the decision to reopen the Garden on 7 July has only

recently been made, no events have been scheduled as

of yet. As soon as any events can be scheduled, the

details will be communicated via this newsletter and

on the GRBG website.

Participants in the

weekly parkrun,

meanwhile, can

click here or here

for updates on

when the parkrun

will resume.

Share Your Thoughts

If you have any comments or suggestions

regarding this newsletter, or ideas on what you’d like to

see in future newsletters, please don’t hesitate to tell us

in an email.

If you have any suggestions on how the Garden Route

Botanical Garden, its facilities and attractions, or the

visitor experience can be improved, we would appreciate

your input too.

Send all your comments and suggestions to

newsletter@botanicalgarden.org.za. We look forward

to hearing from you!

‘Behind The Scenes’

* Attributions: This newsletter was designed using

resources from www.freepik.com, including images by

brgfx, macrovector, pikisuperstar and stories.

* Content Contributors: Roger Bath, Corné Brink,

Nicole Jonklass, Anne Kellner, Rebecca Ryen and

Gabby van Huyssteen.

* Design and Layout: Nicole Jonklass

Renewal of GRBG Membership Cards

Renew your card by contacting the GRBG Offices at

info@botanicalgarden.org.za or 044 878 1558.

Annual Access Cards Full Membership Card

R145-00 – Adults (18+) R180-00 – Adults (18+)

R120-00 – Seniors (60+) R150-00 – Seniors (60+)

R 95-00 – Students

R 70-00 – Children (12-18)

The Fynbos Display By Rebecca Ryen

In recent years the Fynbos Display has been expanded and it now boasts three

different beds representing unique indigenous fynbos flora including various

Erica, Protea, Mimetes, Leucadendron, and Leocuspermum species. The Fynbos

Display was started on a barren heap of sand, where a few representative

species were planted and every couple of months layers of natural sawdust

and mulch were laid on top of the soil.

Over the years, the plants have thrived and filled out the beds, flowering

abundantly, and the soil has become amazingly rich and is now home to all

kinds of colourful fungi and insects, but with enough drainage for the fynbos

to be healthy. Gazenia species were planted in one of the beds to provide

ground cover more than a year ago, and they have now created a bountiful

carpet of flowers between the Proteas and Ericas, which attracts a plethora of

bees and butterflies.

Species of note in the Fynbos Display beds are Erica verticillata, which was

saved from the brink of extinction and is still classified as “Extinct in the Wild”

flowering profusely in autumn, Erica baueri subsp. baueri which is

“Endangered”, and Protea burchellii which is listed as “Vulnerable” (Red List

of South African Plants).

At the moment the beautiful Common Pagoda (Mimetescucullatus), the pink

Broad-leaved Sugarbush (Protea eximia), the dainty Albertinia Heath (Erica

bauerisusbp. baueri) and the Green Heath (Erica sessiliflora) are flowering amidst

carpets of yellow, pink and orange Gazenia and white and purple

Osteospermum.

In 2018, the Seifu Academy from Japan planted 170 fynbos plants as part of a

Peace Planting in commemoration to Nelson Mandela. Each plant was

planted with a personal prayer for World Peace and Harmony on Earth. If you

walk through the Fynbos Display now, you will see how these plants have

thrived since then and many of the Proteas are bearing multiple buds and

flower heads.

Upon inspection after the lockdown, we were faced with a mystery parasite on

the King Proteas in the Fynbos Display: all the leaves had been eaten! There

were no traces of insects or larvae or eggs, and we were puzzled. Then we

noticed a trail of tiny hoof prints in the soil, going from one King Protea to the

next, and that’s when we realized the bokkies had been eating them while we

were all at home!

Rebecca Ryen is a full time GRBG volunteer, part time student, and

a member of Outramps Crew and Botanical Society Committee.

Member.

Show and Tell

The Show and Tell section is where members of the GRBG family share their personal accounts of the Garden. Each

month, a volunteer, intern or staff member will tell us more about an area of the Garden that recently caught their eye.

Species: Ekebergia capensis

Common names: Cape-ash; dogplum; mountain-ash; essenhout (Afrikaans),

Family: Meliaceae

Description:

long grow in the axes of the leaves. Male and female flowers grow on different trees. The fruit are round, fleshy

berries that are each approximately 15mm in diameter. Inside, the flesh is white and surrounds two to six seeds.

Outside, the berries first appear green, but turn pink to bright red as they ripen in autumn.

Natural Habitat: In South Africa, Ekerbergia capensis occurs along the coastal areas from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape, from

where the distribution extends northwards and into the interior through KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

The species also grows in neighbouring Swaziland, Zimbabwe and southern Mozambique, and beyond Southern

Africa it can be found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Ethiopia. This wide-reaching distribution

means that Eckerbergia capensis grows in diverse habitats, from evergreen forests to riverine forests and from the

coast to altitudes of 1500m.

Conservation

Status: Ekebergia capensis is not under threat.

Growing It In While the tree can easily be grown from seeds, growing it from tip or hardwood

Your Garden: cuttings is the fastest method of propagation. Ekebergia capensis has a non-

aggressive root system, and makes for a great ornamental, shade-giving garden

tree, the fruit and flowers of which will attract birds, bees, butterflies and

mammals. It should be watered well, but will tolerate light drought conditions.

It can also endure light frost.

Interesting Facts: Ekebergia capensis is named after the Swedish physician, chemist and explorer Carl Gustaf, who made it possible for

fellow Swede Anders Erikson Sparrman, the species’ author, to visit South Africa in the 1700s.

Availability at

GRBG Nursery: Ekebergia capensis trees are available for sale at R40-00 each.

Nursery Tree of the Month

Nursery Trading Times:

MONDAY – THURSDAY 08:00 – 17:00

FRIDAY 08:00 – 14:30

SATURDAY 09:00 – 14:30

Additional sources:

Trees of the Garden Route: Mossel Bay

to Storms River (2012) by Elna Venter

http://pza.sanbi.org/ekebergia-capensis

Ekebergia capensis is an evergreen, semi-deciduous tree that

usually grows to heights of between 7 and 15 metres. One of the

most striking features of the tree is its bark, which is light grey and

smooth when young, but turns darker grey to near-black as the tree

ages and cracks into small rectangles to give the trunk and branches

a visibly rough texture. Young branches are furthermore speckled

with white-ish lenticels (or ‘raised pores’) and marbled with old leaf

scars. The trunk may be ridged or fluted and have some buttress

roots at its base. Ekebergia capensis has large, drooping, glossy

green leaves that often have a small pinkish patch or pinkish edges.

The leaves are pinnately compound, consisting of three to six pairs

of leaflets and an single leaflet at the top end. Like the leaves, the

flowers may also have a pinkish tinge, but they are generally just

white, small and sweetly-fragranced. The flowers bloom from

September to November, appearing in loose sprays of roughly 8cm

While the tree can easily be grown from seeds, growing it from tip or hardwood

cuttings is the fastest method of propagation. Ekebergia capensis has a non-

aggressive root system, and makes for a great ornamental, shade-giving garden

tree, the fruit and flowers of which will attract birds, bees, butterflies and

mammals. It should be watered well, but will tolerate light drought conditions.

It can also endure light frost.