fynbos – Herman van Bon Photography

Some fynbos

The Overberg region in the Western Cape, South Africa is the centre of Fynbos. Fynbos is endemic to this area and are, in one or another way, related to the Banksias from Australia.

Leucospermum glabrum

One of the fynbos spies that only grow in south Africa.

Protea species are part if the endemic ‘Fynbos’ of the Western Cape in south Africa. They won’t grow anywhere else in the world despite several attempts. It also explains why proteas are one of the main export products of South Africa.

Cape Floral Kingdom

Although this is not the flower season of fynbos (endemic to the Western Cape, South Africa which is a winter rainfall area) there are still interesting plants to picture during an evening stroll through the ‘fynbos.

Farm 215

From tomorrow onwards one of the landmark guesthouses in the Overberg South Africa is open again after almost 6 months of lockdown restrictions.

Farm 215 (between Baardskeerdersbos and Gansbaai) offers stunning views, is generating its own electricity (solar powered) and is situated is a pristine fynbos environment.

‘Finished and Klaar’

Within the set time frame we re-landscaped a large garden (partly a kind of ‘forest garden’). A few thousand (re-)plantings, numerous divisions, new plant material from our own stock including a cycad (with permit), weeding and mulching, etc.. Worked with the own garden staff of the client for they have to maintain the garden. Always nice to hear: “Please send us the invoice” …. It was the second major (we only do ‘majors’) garden in a few months.

The other challenge (second photo gallery) was a minimalistic succulent/desert garden that flows over in a ‘fynbos’ landscape.

The lazy tourist destination

Ideal destination for travellers/tourists who want to watch whales and enjoy fynbos but don’t like to be too active: in the court yard of the Ice Parlour Don Gelato in Stanford there is this mural ……. (also for lazy bird watchers). The ice cream (locally sourced natural ingredients) is delicious! And so are the Italian coffees and delicacies 😉

Heads of Medusae

The Euphorbia caput medusae originates from the fynbos area in the Western Cape, South Africa and is, according to scientists, most probably endemic to Table Mountain. The sap of this succulent plant is highly poisonous. The plant is also known as Heads of Medusae. It’s always a pleasure to photograph the flower heads.

And now it's open …

… see also previous posting… 🙂

Protea is one of these fynbos genera and we are living in the middle of it. The Overberg region is the global center for the protea culture. Farmers grow them in plantations and also collect flowers in their ‘veld’. They need to have several permits for that. Where-ever in the world you buy a protea just think of me and know where they are coming from! 🙂

And now it’s open …