Kloof Conservancy

17/06/2026

Just a few days to go to the Kloof Conservancy Indigenous Open Gardens show scheduled for this coming weekend.
We have 7 great gardens ready for visitors but we also have a number of "extra" activities to add value to the event - you can purchase some indigenous species (Gardens 3, 4, 6 & 7) that are not often readily available, learn all about butterflies from our local expert, Steve Woodhall at garden 6, enjoy good food and music (Garden 7), buy gardening books (Gardens 3 and 4), enjoy a forest walk and lots more - see the full list in the image attached.
We also have the Struik Nature Treasure Hunt for the young ones so bring the family for a great weekend out in the open!

Learn more: https://www.kloofconservancy.org.za/indigenous-open-gardens/

15/06/2026

This is a must see garden as it is coming into peak condition in time for the show! Don't miss this one!

When Glenda and Neil moved here in 1993, the valley was still an old plantation landscape of gums, wattle and pine. Like many new gardeners, they started by planting whatever they could get, only later realising they were creating what they call a “green desert”.

Over time, their love of wild places inspired a different vision.

“Being the ‘bush people’ that we are, we became inspired to create our own nature reserve at home,” they say.

Through years of learning and careful planting, the garden has evolved into a peaceful indigenous haven filled with birds, insects and small wildlife. Neil propagated many of the trees from seed, planting them close together to create a natural forest canopy similar to the surrounding Kloof landscape.

Highlights:
🌳 Indigenous forest areas grown from seed
🐦 Abundant birdlife and pollinators
🌿 A balance between cultivated and wild spaces
🔥 A boma area immersed in the garden
🌼 Winter aloes and red-hot pokers attracting birds

“We love our garden for the haven it has become in the middle of suburbia.”

Today, the garden continues to evolve, with the goal of being beautiful but low maintenance, a space that largely takes care of itself while providing habitat for wildlife.

“This is our little piece of Africa… where we hope to make a small difference to biodiversity. It will always be a work in progress.”

📍 Garden 6 | 11 Valerie Road Gillitts
📅 20–21 June | 9am–4pm

Learn more: https://www.kloofconservancy.org.za/indigenous-open-gardens/

12/06/2026

The Comrades Marathon will run through the streets of Kloof and Hillcrest on Sunday.
Wouldn’t it be a big shame on us (local residents and businesses) if the runners had to go through sewerage as has happened recently?
The attached poster is an appeal to all (and in particular businesses) who use the sewer system to ensure they help keep our roads free of sewerage.

11/06/2026

Andrew and Grace’s approach to gardening is shaped by the realities of Kloof’s climate and a deep respect for how plants grow in the wild.

“Gardening in Kloof is less about growing and more about managing an explosion of life,” Andrew says. “With our high rainfall, the plants take care of the growing part themselves; the real work was figuring out the layout and the framework.”

His design philosophy focuses on working with natural conditions. Sunny areas are dedicated to succulents planted in fast-draining spaces inspired by cliff habitats, while the shaded areas beneath large trees are reserved for lush forest species that thrive in lower light.

“My philosophy has been to garden strictly by the aspect of the sun,” he explains.

Highlights:
🌵 Indigenous succulents in specialised drainage areas
🌿 Shade gardens beneath established canopy trees
♻️ Compost beds integrated into the garden
🌳 Framework designed around natural conditions

Andrew also describes himself as the garden’s “resident herbivore”, pruning plants to mimic how animals shape vegetation in nature while recycling all the plant material back into the soil.

📍 Garden 5 | 17 Surrey Lane
📅 20–21 June | 9am–4pm

Learn more: https://www.kloofconservancy.org.za/indigenous-open-gardens/

09/06/2026

08/06/2026

This well-established garden has been shaped by decades of care and creativity. Danna has lived here since 1975, but says she has been “gardening seriously for the last 20 years”, transforming the space into the multiple award-winning garden it is today.

Originally, a tennis court occupied much of the property. When it was removed, the opportunity arose to expand the garden and create new indigenous planting areas that now define the space.

“The best way to enter my garden is via a tunnel-like path, which opens into the main garden area,” she says, a fitting introduction to a garden filled with surprises.

Today, the garden blends indigenous and exotic plants, sun and shade areas, and a diverse collection of sculptures gathered from around the world. Four running water features add to the calm atmosphere, while large rocks help anchor the indigenous planting.

Highlights:
🌿 Award-winning established garden
💧 Four tranquil water features
🗿 Sculptures from across the world
🌺 A diverse mix from orchids to aloes
🌳 Mature planting shaped over decades

Danna also credits her co-gardener: “Mrs Phumaphi Dlamini plays a very important role. She has a passionate zeal for gardening.”

📍 Garden 4 | Shambala
10 Impangele Road
💵 R40 entrance/garden
📅 20–21 June | 9am–4pm
🚗 Verge parking available

Learn more: https://www.kloofconservancy.org.za/indigenous-open-gardens/

07/06/2026

During this past week eThekwini’s Parks Department organised an Alien Invasive Plant Blitz on the R103 from the Rob Roy Retirement complex to the Kwa-Ximba turnoff (Eddie Hagen Drive). Parks Department teams from across the city converged in numbers along the R103 and cut, poisoned and removed thousands of Invasive Plants with a focus on Bugweed and Lantana. The Blitz coincides with the municipality’s preparations for the Comrades Marathon on 14 June.
In a show of solidarity in the fight against invasive plants volunteers from Hillcrest, Everton, Monteseel, Kwa-Ximba, Drummond and Kloof Conservancy’s joined Parks department in the Blitz - the attached photos show Monteseel Conservancy, Kwa-Ximba Conservancy and Kloof Conservancy at work.
Thanks to Parks Department for this initiative!
PS: the maintenance of the R103 is the responsibility of KZN Department of Transport.

04/06/2026

When Allison arrived 11 years ago, there was no garden, just steep grassed banks and areas overgrown with invasive plants. Together with her gardener Thami, she began transforming the space into a layered indigenous garden filled with paths, terraces and quiet corners to explore.

“We needed to terrace the banks to create more level areas to plant,” she explains. This led to many rock-collecting adventures, including sourcing rocks from construction sites and one memorable 10-ton delivery that helped shape the garden’s structure. Today, many of those rocks have disappeared beneath the plants that now thrive there.

The shady conditions helped shape the planting palette, with plectranthus, clivia, arums, wild dagga and iboza all doing well. Driftwood collected over the years adds a natural sculptural element throughout the space.

Highlights:
🌿 A showcase of indigenous plants for shade
🪨 Terraced slopes and handmade pathways
🌸 Bee-friendly flowering plants
🐦 Water feature attracting birds

“I love looking out from my study onto the water feature and watching the birds. The record is seven louries swimming at once — what a sight!”

📍 Unit 3 Cliffview
58 Buckingham Road
📅 20–21 June | 9am–4pm

Learn more: https://www.kloofconservancy.org.za/indigenous-open-gardens/

01/06/2026

This young garden began in 2024 as a completely blank lawn, a rare opportunity to design an indigenous garden from scratch.

The early concept focused on grassland planting with feature aloes, but over time the design evolved to include more variety, texture and colour. Berms were shaped, rocks carefully placed, paths added, and eventually a naturally filtered pond was installed, which is now the heart of the garden.

Almost immediately after adding water, wildlife began to return. Frogs, dragonflies and birds quickly made themselves at home, showing how quickly biodiversity responds to the right conditions.

Highlights:
💧 A natural pond attracting frogs and dragonflies
🌾 Indigenous grasses and feature aloes
🪨 Natural rock placement and berms
🐦 Increasing bird activity
🌿 Designed around biodiversity principles

Proof that even new gardens can quickly become wildlife havens.

📍 58 Buckingham Road, Kloof
Unit 6 - Cliffview 3 Gardens

📅 20–21 June | 9am–4pm

Learn more: https://www.kloofconservancy.org.za/indigenous-open-gardens/