How to Create a Fynbos Garden

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SEPTEMBER, 2022

By Jessie Leverzencie

Fynbos is a diverse, fascinating biome! With over 9600 species of plants, it can be overwhelming to know where to start when planting a fynbos garden. There are key factors to consider before you start. We sat down with our Urban Greening Manager, Deon, to get the low-down on where to begin. Here are 4 steps to follow, to get you started:

1. Find out what your area’s locally indigenous fynbos type is

If we could click a rewind button, we would be surprised at how different our country’s natural landscape looked a few hundred years ago. Without all of the roads, buildings, urban sprawl, and invasive plant species, the natural landscape was thriving.

Each region has its own specific fynbos type, from the Cape Flats Sand Fynbos to the Peninsula Shale Renosterveld. Planting locally indigenous fynbos is not only important for restoring the natural landscape, but also increases your plants’ chance of survival.

Each fynbos plant is adapted to survive in a particular area. This is due to many factors, one of which is the soil type. Planting the correct, locally indigenous fynbos plants will help ensure that your garden survives and thrives. Have a look at the Fynbos Corridor Collaboration website, for their fynbos rehabilitation guide.

2. Choose your space

The Fynbos Corridors website has a nifty site selection tool that allows you to assess the suitability of the space. Fynbos requires little maintenance, but a couple of specific things to look at when choosing your space are:

Size of the space
Growth pattern of the fynbos plants
Soil type
Soil drainage
Amount of direct sun exposure
Direction and magnitude of prevailing winds

3. Choose specific species

There are 9600 species of fynbos in the Cape Floral Kingdom, so there is ample to choose from. Be sure to choose species that are within your veld type by using the site analysis tool (mentioned above) on the Fynbos Corridor website or ask your local nursery for advice.

4. Purchase from a legitimate source

As diverse as Table Mountain is (with more plant diversity on top of Table Mountain than the whole of the UK), it is illegal to pick fynbos in the wild. Be sure to purchase your fynbos from a legitimate source. Fynbos Life is a great nursery based in Lakeside in Cape Town, that sells locally indigenous fynbos.

Bonus tips!

Make a work plan with the fynbos you plant. As the seasons change, so fynbos that thrive in that particular season, might differ. To assess how well your fynbos garden is doing, be sure to use the Fynbos Corridors website fynbos site monitoring tool.

Starting a fynbos garden is both a simple, and complex process. But fear not, the Fynbos Corridor website is (as mentioned) a wonderful tool that takes out all of the guesswork for you! Not only will your garden flourish into a vibrant, locally indigenous fynbos oasis, but you will also be doing your part to help ensure the Cape Floral Kingdom’s survival! So, what are you waiting for?

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