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Monday 07:00 - 18:00 Tuesday 07:00 - 18:00 Wednesday 07:00 - 18:00 Thursday 07:00 - 18:00 Friday 07:00 - 18:00 Saturday 07:00 - 18:00 Sunday 07:00 - 18:00

Friends of Van Stadens

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Friends of Van Stadens

An NPO partnering with local community and leaders to protect the biodiversity of the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve.

10/10/2026

🌸👣 𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄 🌸👣

A much-loved fixture on the trail running calendar, the 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗥𝘂𝗻 is back this spring as part of the 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹.

The route cuts through the fynbos, with crisp spring air, wide-open skies and the trail rising and falling beneath your feet. Watsonias are in bloom along the way, adding flashes of colour to the landscape as you tackle the climbs, find your rhythm and settle into the run.

There’s the challenge of the trail, the rush of a downhill, the views that stop you in your tracks and that unmistakable feeling of being outdoors.

This is the Wildflower Reserve on foot, in the fynbos and under open sky. A run with a little more wild in it.

🌿Sunday, 25 October 2026
📍Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve
🏃 5 km | 15 km

Register now and be part of this much-loved Flower Festival tradition.

👉 https://bigoeventsolutions.co.za/green-flag-trail-run/

Big O Event Solutions
Green Flag Trails

09/10/2026

🌼 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗛𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 🌼

𝘞𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘧𝘪𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘢 is a member of the 𝘏𝘢𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘦 family, and one of those lovely plants that rewards you for slowing down and looking closely.

As you walk through the Reserve in spring, keep an eye out for its delicate splashes of yellow and apricot.

Known as the Common Butterfly Lily, it emerges each winter from a reddish underground rootstock before flowering from August to December.

You may also hear it called rooikanol, rooiknol, koffiepit or spinnekopblom. Its reddish rootstock and sap have long been part of its story, with the sap traditionally used as a dye.

A small spring flower with a story that begins beneath the soil.

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

07/10/2026

🌿 𝗔 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 🌿

There is a little more history behind the much loved Van Stadens plant sale than you might realise.

Back in the 1960s and 70s, Reserve Manager Pieter Coetzee began cultivating indigenous plants at the Reserve, using specimens from the Grahamstown Nursery. They were grown in the old nursery on the very ground where the Arboretum stands today.

As the Reserve’s nursery work grew, so did the interest from the public. In 1980, the Reserve celebrated its first Arbor Day, and an annual plant sale became part of the tradition, giving people the chance to take home indigenous plants and grow a little piece of the landscape in their own gardens.

In 1988, the nursery moved to a new site near the Reserve entrance (where it remains today).

Although the plant sale has moved and changed over the years, its heart remains the same: sharing a love for indigenous plants and encouraging people to grow them at home.

Today, the plant sale is still one of the much-loved features of the Van Stadens Flower Festival — a tradition that connects the Reserve’s past with the people who continue to care about its future.

🌱 Join us on 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟮𝟱 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 for the 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 and visit the plant sale. Take home an indigenous plant, discover something new, and become part of a tradition that has been growing for generations.

03/10/2026

🌿 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀.

This year, the 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 is going paperless by replacing our printed programme with QR codes and information points around the Reserve.

It’s a small step towards making greener choices, and one that reflects the spirit of a festival rooted in nature and our connection to the landscape.

🌱 At the plant sale, each species will have its own QR code. Simply scan it with your phone to find out more about the plant — from its name and story to information that can help you choose what you’d like to take home.

📱 The festival programme will also be available by QR code, with codes at the vehicle access points and around the Nursery. The programme has been designed to help you quickly see where you are in the day and what’s happening around you.

No paper programme to fold, lose or carry around — just scan, check and keep exploring.

Botanical Society of SA

01/10/2026

🌸 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 — 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝟮𝟱 𝗢𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗥!🌸

As we head into October don’t forget to save the new date for the 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 — it couldn’t be a better time to visit the Reserve and share in all it offers.

October reveals this hidden gem of a nature reserve, revealing something truly special. 🌼

So Join us for a family-friendly day celebrating fynbos, revelling in nature amongst friends:

🌿 Indigenous Plant Sale
🏃 Green Flag Trail Run
🛺 Tuk-tuk Tours
🎨 Art in the Arboretum
🌸 Xhosa Heritage, Dance & Craft
🍴 Food, Stalls & Live Entertainment

📅 Sunday, 25 October 2026
⏰ 07:30–14:00
📍 Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve
🎟️ FREE ENTRY

Save the date, bring the family and come enjoy October in full bloom! 🌸

29/09/2026

𝗔 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆

If you are looking for an easy wander through the fynbos, the Nymph Trail is a lovely place to start.

This gentle, flat circular trail winds through the Reserve’s grassy fynbos with an easy walk where you can slow your pace, look a little closer and see what the season has brought to life.

Currently in bloom along the Nymph trail is the 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘢, or commonly known as the Golden Orchid or Golden Disa. This beautiful perennial orchid can grow to around 60 cm tall, and sometimes even reach a metre.

Its name, 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘢, comes from the Latin word for horn, referring to the flower’s distinctive horn-like spur.

What makes this orchid particularly fascinating is its adaptability. It occurs across both summer- and winter-rainfall regions and, like many fynbos species, fire forms part of its story. Yet it can also flower in mature vegetation and even in full shade.

Follow the gentle loop. Look into the grasses and between the fynbos. You never quite know what little golden treasure you might discover.

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

27/09/2026

𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿

There is something special about this time of year at the Wildflower Reserve, when the fynbos shifts into spring and colour starts appearing across the landscape.

It’s a good time to wander — to take the long way, follow a trail and notice what is flowering along the way.

You don’t need much of a plan. A little time spent among the plants, birds and open landscape can be enough to slow things down and refill your cup.

And the best part? 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲.

So come and spend some time on the trails. There’s plenty happening out there if you take the time to look.

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

24/09/2026

🇿🇦 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 🇿🇦

For Heritage Day, we find ourselves thinking about the stories that live quietly in the places around us.

At the Wildflower Reserve, one of these stories can be found in the isiXhosa homestead, or 𝘶𝘮𝘻𝘪, which has formed part of the landscape for many years.

While not an exact reconstruction of a traditional 𝘶𝘮𝘻𝘪, it offers a glimpse into these spaces as places of family, belonging, gathering and connection.

The 𝘶𝘮𝘻𝘪 has weathered many seasons, including the devastating 2017 fire. Today, Reserve Management and FOVS continue to care for it, with recent repairs helping to protect what remains and a longer-term hope to restore it using more traditional materials and methods.

When you visit, take a moment to linger at the 𝘶𝘮𝘻𝘪. Read the new signage. Look a little closer. Imagine the stories and gatherings that places like this have held.

And on 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟮𝟱 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿, the 𝘶𝘮𝘻𝘪 will come alive through dance. As part of the 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 & 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲, Qhama Africa will share isiXhosa heritage through dance at the homestead, followed by a performance on the main stage later in the afternoon.

Come and spend some time here.

Walk the landscape.

Experience its stories.

Celebrate its living heritage.

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

🇿🇦

22/09/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿-𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗻𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿

At the Flower House, near the entrance to the Wildflower Reserve, you will find one of the Reserve’s star trees - the Cape Star-Chestnut (𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪).

The Cape Star-Chestnut can flower at any time of year, producing delicate, drooping clusters of pale yellow to creamy-green flowers, often with reddish markings at the centre. Interestingly, the tree produces both male and female flowers.

Endemic to the Eastern Cape and listed as Rare on South Africa’s Red List, the Cape Star-Chestnut grows naturally in the Van Stadens Mountains. Large populations can be found throughout the Reserve, including along the River, Boulder and Forest Trails and in the Arboretum.

Next time you visit, take a closer look 👀 you never know what might be in flower.

Nelson Mandela Bay
Botanical Society of SA

18/09/2026

🌿 𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗠 | 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗦 🌿

There is something special about gathering beneath the canopy of tall, old trees. For generations, these spaces have been places for conversation, creativity, quiet reflection and connection.

This year, we are bringing those ideas together for 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗺: 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀, an inaugural art exhibition taking place in the Old Nursery in the Arboretum as part of the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹.

Featuring a diverse group of local artists, the exhibition explores themes of community, biodiversity, belonging, heritage, ecology and our relationship with the natural world.

Take a leisurely stroll along the Arboretum’s winding pathways and discover the artists’ interpretations of these themes as you encounter their work beneath the trees.

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟮𝟱 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 | 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆

Artworks will be available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds donated to FOVS, supporting our work with NMBM to conserve the Wildflower Reserve.

Address

Port Elizabeth

Opening Hours

Monday	07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday	07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday	07:00 - 18:00
Thursday	07:00 - 18:00
Friday	07:00 - 18:00
Saturday	07:00 - 18:00
Sunday	07:00 - 18:00

Website

http://www.fovs.co.za/

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