101st Darling Wildflower Show by Dave Coleshill

From:

“OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND” Friday 14

to Sunday

16 Sept 2018

Open from 09h00 to 17h00 at the orchid nursery

Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse open to public for viewing. FREE ENTRY Sales area, in Pack Shed Tea Room:- Light Meals + Beverages for sale with Cymbidiums and Cattleyas in flower, + Ansellia, Oncidium, Polystachya, Disa + many more orchid varieties

Tel. 022 492 2606 email: info@duckittnurseries.com www.duckittnurseries.com

From 09h00 to 17h00 at the orchid nursery (GPS:33°23'52.78"S 18°23'54.59"E)

(opposite Malmesbury turn-off, approx 3 km South of Darling)

Other “Open House” times: 1st Saturday

(only) of the months May – November From 09h00 to 12h00 at the orchid nursery

Tel. 022 492 2606 email info@duckittnurseries.com www.duckittnurseries.com

CONTENTS 4

Letter from the Darling Wildflower Society

6-7

Conservation in the bigger Darling-area

2018 Darling Wildflower Show Information

10-11

Darling Map

Flower Viewing Tips

Ten Flower Species

Weathering the Storm

17 2018 Darling Wildflower Show Workshops 18

2018 Darling Wildflower Show Sponsors

Events in and around Darling

CONTACT THE DARLING WILDFLOWER SOCIETY: Sharon McClure â&#x20AC;¢ T: 084 916 1111 info@darlingwildflowers.co.za darlingwildflowers.co.za

@DWildflowers

Published on behalf of The Darling Wildflower Society by I Love Yzer. T: 022 451 2202 info@iloveyzer.co.za j www.iloveyzer.co.za

DarlingWildflowerSociety

@DarlingWildflowers

CONSERVATION

the Next Generation

FROM THE DARLING WILDFLOWER SOCIETY

he Darling Wildflower Society have been blessed with a century of voluntary contribution to the wildflowers of our district. So, it is with great enthusiasm that we embark on our second century with a mandate to encourage “Conservation into the Next Generation”. Our plans for the first show of this second century, “year 101”, promises to be as entertaining as it’s always been. You are thus invited to come and indulge in a particularly beautiful display this year, focusing on water shortages and the creatures that are supported by the Fynbos. The landscaped hall will showcase the splendour of wildflowers specially adapted to withstand even the toughest drought. The Darling Wildflower Show offers a variety of activities to entertain young and old. Tickets include entry into the landscaped hall featuring indigenous flowers in their natural habitat, a Craft & Gourmet Food Market, and a veteran tractor and car display including the latest new models from Suzuki. A small fee will secure you a place on a tractor ride to the wetlands of the Oudepost private reserve, which is only open to the public during the flower show weekend. This is a special treat as the

wetlands are home to Red Data extremely endangered plant species. SA Birdlife will conduct educational talks and guided tours for those of us who love all things feathered, and there will be guided flower and photo walks, where an instructor will teach you how to photograph even the tiniest of flowers. But dig even deeper: the show will feature information on moles and the importance of these shy critters to farmers. There will be an entertainment tent featuring live entertainment, with safe and secure parking available at the show, as well as shuttle buses running through Darling and stopping at places of interest, including the Darling Museum, Evita’s Perron, Duckitt Nurseries and the Renosterveld Reserve. Festivalgoers can look forward to more than a hundred food and craft stalls, which will suit every craving or need. Kids can have some fun in the play park and take part in face painting, art lessons and rides. Adults should not miss the mini wine- and beer route-tasting! Indigenous plants will be available at good prices. Information stalls will help you find your way. Don’t forget to explore in and around our beautiful little village while visiting us! And remember: your entrance fee to the Darling Wildflower Show will help to conserve our endangered Floral Kingdom for the future generations. We look forward to entertaining you at our festive Darling Wildflower Society Show.

The Darling Wildflower Society committee members:

1. Martin Halvorsen (Chairman) 2. Charles Duckitt (Secretary) 3. David Wallace (Treasurer) 4. Jane Wallace 5. Con Meyer 6. John Duckitt 7. Angelique Rosant. Jacques Smuts & Dr Jannie van der Merwe – no photos available at time of going to print.

2018 Darling Wildflower Show

Conservation in the bigger Darling-area ARTICLE MARTIN HALVORSEN | PHOTO MICHELLE J PHOTOGRAPHY

Formal conservation is a lifeline when it comes to protecting our natural heritage. Martin Halvorsen guides us through some valuable areas.

ust imagine what Darling must have looked like before the first soils were tilled with the arrival of the Dutch settlers. Judging by the small pieces of land in the area that are now under formal conservation, it must have been magnificent. Here one thinks of the Harold Versfeld reserve at Contreberg, the Waylands vlei at Waylands and the Oudepost reserve at the Orchid nursery at Oudepost. And, of course, the Oudepost bottom vlei, which is only open to the public during the flower show weekend. Then we have the Darling Renosterveld reserve on the hill above the town. This is what Renosterveld – and most of the area – looked like on the advent of modern farming in the 1700s. Along the road towards Yzerfontein you will find the Groenekloof Reserve. Groenekloof is what the area was called by the first Europeans. Further along you will find the Tienie Versfeld reserve on the Slangkop farm. This reserve was formally declared in 1956 when the land was handed over to the National Botanical Institute at Kirstenbosch. Today it is managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Keep an eye on the road verges, too: you often find special plants here 6

because these areas are not cultivated. But remember not to pick any plants as all plants within 95 meters of the middle of the road are protected by CapeNature ordinances! These road verges act as “migration routes” for the spreading of pollinators, which help to keep the gene pools of plants and insects healthy. We also have newer conservation areas on various properties in the district. Buffelsfontein Private Nature Reserve can be found close to the southern gate of the West Coast National Park, which in the old days was a part of the Darling district as many of the farms in the southern section of the Park belonged to Darling farmers: the so-called “veeplase”, which were used for winter grazing and hunting. To the south conservation is happening in places such as Yzerfontein where there are vast open corridors that are in the process of being declared Municipal Nature Reserves under the stewardship program of CapeNature. Jakkalsfontein is conserving large sections of the farms Jackalsfontein and Vyge Valley, which they own. !Khwa ttu is a unique conservation experience: previously the farm Groote Water, it is now a San enclave where visitors can experience the indigenous

2018 Darling Wildflower Show

knowledge of South Africa’s first people. The farm Rondeberg East has a private nature reserve that is open to the public by special arrangement, while Rondeberg West farm closer to the sea is farmed in an environmentally sensitive way, even though it is a private horse farm. Today, the area at Grotto Bay is also under conservation. You can also find CapeNature at Ganzekraal: this historic farm is now being managed to conservation standards and not left to go to rack and ruin as was the case previously. The Mapula Trust are now the owners of historic Buck Bay “Bokbaai” and we have great expectations of what will happen there. Game fences have been erected on the western side of the R27 and portions of Ganzekraal and Buck Bay are enclosed. Travelling east from these properties you’ll find the DCCP (Dassen Catchment Coastal Partnership) towards Riverlands

Nature Reserve. This includes the Witsands aquifer lands, the Mamre communal lands belonging to the Mamre community, and a portion of Dassenberg. This corridor is identified as a climate adaptation corridor during this time of Global Warming, and features more bio-diversity than the whole of the Kruger National Park. Bordering onto this corridor are the conservation areas of the wine farms Groote Post at Klaver Valleij, and the Cloof/Burghers Post next to Riverlands, Mamre and Pella. There are also many other farmers and land owners that do work to conserve remnants and special plants on their properties. We’d like to send a big thank you to the National Parks Board and CapeNature for the sterling work being done in the larger Darling area. Enjoy our flowers, please do not pick without permission / permit and do not litter! Bewonder en geniet ons spesiale plante waarvan heelwat endemies is.

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TA U R A N T R E S

DARLING FLOWER LINE:

084 916 1111 DISTANCE FROM DARLING TO R27: 20 km

1. Darling Wildflower Show Venue 2. Darling Golf Club 3. Tienie Versfeld Reserve 4. Groenekloof Reserve 5. Renosterveld Reserve 6. Duckitt Nurseries Reserve 7. Waylands Reserve 8. Contreberg Reserve 9. Evita se Perron 10. Darling Tourism & Museum 11. Darling Wine Shop 12. Ormonde Wine Estate 13. Darling Cellars 14. Cloof Wine Estate 15. Burgherspost Wine Estate 16. Groote Post (17.3km) 17. Darling Brew 18. Dutch Reformed Church Hall

UU Get out of the car and walk amongst

flower VIEWING TIPS

UU UU UU UU

the flowers but make sure to also look for the delicate, smaller species. Tread lightly and carefully so as not to trample plants unnecessarily. Please donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pick any flowers. Many outlying areas do not have mobile phone reception. Make sure that you set off on your journey with a full tank as fuel is not readily available everywhere. It is thus also important that you take your own drinking water.

WHAT TO WEAR

UU Long pants/

PHOTOS MICHELLE J PHOTOGRAPHY

GENERAL

UU The best time for viewing is between

UU UU

10:30 and 16:00 during the warmest part of the day when the flowers are open. The day temperature must be at least 18 degrees Celsius. Sunny days are best for the opening of flowers. Rainy or overcast weather is not ideal so avoid disappointment. Plan to visit other sights on such days. Flowers face the sun and are therefore best displayed when traveling with the sun behind you. Viewers are advised to travel north soon after departure and then to do most flower-viewing by moving in a southerly direction. When taking a circular route, try traveling in a westerly direction in the morning, followed by a southerly one and finally an easterly one.

trousers and comfortable shoes for walking around in the fields. UU Insect repellent is also essential. ADVICE TO TOURISTS

UU Try to book your accommodation in advance.

UU Darling Flower Line: 084 916 1111. UU The West Coast Flower Hotline

UU UU UU UU

063 724 6203 is available from 08:00 until 20:00, 7 days a week (until 30 Sep 2018) Most towns along the flower routes have fuel stations, ATMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and mobile reception. Please note that the further north you travel, the greater the distance between towns become! Stop and ask the friendly locals for advice on flower hot spots and distances. Namakwa/West Coast flower maps are available at all tourism information offices.

2018 Darling Wildflower Show

Da r ling 26-28 SCARECR OW OCTOBER

Fe sti val

2018 Farmers Market Scarecrow Route Darling Food Experience

Scarecrow Street Party

Scarecrow Charity Auction Artwork by: Nicolaas Maritz

T 022 492 3361 www.darlingtourism.co.za

TOURISM GRADING COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA

Darling Scarecrow Festival

Ilona Du Toit 082 853 5983 Sue Smuts 082 961 3220 Office 022 451 2188 pamgolding.co.za/yzerfontein

TEN FLOWER SPECIES

Babiana nana – sandveld Bobbejaantjie Geophyte with shallow corm covered with netted fibres. Leaves spreading fanwise, pleated, very hairy, short and broad and abruptly contracted at the tips. Flowers with unequal petals, blue to pink with a small cream area and usually a purple chevron at the base of the lower petals, very fragrant. Flowering Aug to Sep. Common on sandy coastal flats and dunes from Piketberg to Cape Town.

Ferraria crispa – Spinnekopblom Robust geophyte with stem often mottled with red. Lower leaves narrow and ridged. Flowers crowded in inflated bracts, cream with dark brown blotches or completely brown, the petal margins ruffled and greenish or dull yellow, unpleasantly scented, lasting a single day. Flowering Aug to Oct. In sand or loamy soil from Lambert’s Bay to Mossel Bay.

Sparaxis bulbifera – Botterblom Geophyte with softly fibrous corm tunics. Leaves in a basal fan. Floral bracts papery, streaked with brown. Flowers cup-shaped, cream to white, often purple outside. Flowering Sep to Oct. Common on damp sandy flats from Hopefield to Bredasdorp.

Nemesia affinis – bont Leeubekkie, Weeskindertjies Annual, often branched form the base. Leaves opposite, narrow or broad and usually toothed. Flowers crowded at the tips of the branches, the back white or pink with red streaks and the front white, yellow, blue or mauve, the lower lip with a yellow velvety mound at the base and a slender hanging spur. Flowering Jun tot Nov, greatly depending on the rains.

Carpobrotus quadrifidus – Elandsvy A fast growing, mat-forming succulent perennial with flatgrowing, trailing stems up to 2m or longer. Yellowish to grass-green leaves, crowded along the stem, in pairs, up to 9 cm long and up to 2 cm thick, sabre-shaped, triangular in cross-section, curved upward. Solitary flowers at the end of a short stalk, hermaphrodite, up to 15cm in diameter, daisy-like with 400-600 stamens surrounding a starfish-like stigma. 14

2018 Darling Wildflower Show

TEN FLOWER SPECIES

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum – Ice Plant Large, mat-forming biennial with sprawling stems covered with glistening, translucent outgrowths, watery when crushed. Leaves broad and fleshy, covered with shining papillae. Flowers in flat clusters at the ends of the branches, the petals in several series, white to pinkish. Flowering Nov to Dec. Widespread from Namibia to the Western Cape, often in coastal areas.

Geissorhiza aspera – blou Sysie Geophyte with overlapping, hard, dark corm tunics notched below and a minutely hairy stem. Leaves three, narrow, flat, sometimes rough. Flowers star-shaped with centrally placed stamens, pale to deep blue or purple. Flowering Aug to Sep. Mostly on sandy soils but also light clay, common throughout the Western Cape.

Arctotis incisa – Cream Gousblom A sprawling perennial that grows many branches, reaching a height of 30cm. Its leaves are long and deeply lobed around the pale, fibrous midrib that is sturdy and fairly straight. The leaf surface is dull, grey-green above and white-felted below where the hairiness is more. Leaf margins are wavy and irregularly, shallowly toothed. This plant is found on sandy slopes and flats of the South Western and Southern Cape.

Gladiolus quadrangulas – Waterpypie Their stems are generally unbranched, producing 1 to 9 narrow, sword-shaped, longitudinal grooved leaves, enclosed in a sheath. The flowers vary from very small to perhaps 30mm across, and inflorescences bearing anything from one to several flowers. They are found from Malmesbury to Darling and extending to the Capeflats.

Drosera cistiflora – Snotrosie Glandular herb with unbranched, sparsely leafy stem. Leaves sessile, narrow, reddish. Flowers one to several, clustered at the tip of the stem, white, yellow, mauve or dark red, with a dark green centre. Flowering Aug to Sep. Widespread in moist, sandy places throughout the Western Cape.

2018 Darling Wildflower Show

Weathering the storm ARTICLE CON MEYER PHOTO MICHELLE J PHOTOGRAPHY

Humans aren’t the only living beings prone to overheating or an attack of the chills… The weather has a profound impact on flowers, too.

he circle of life starts anew each year at the end of summer in the Darling district. What can we expect from the weather this year? Will it be a wet year, a dry year or will the rains come early or late? In the past it was relatively easy to know what to expect, because you could do one of two things: either ask your parents or look up the records. But these days all is different, as most of our parents have passed on and that fountain of knowledge is gone forever… And the records cannot be used as the weather patterns are changing so dramatically and bears no resemblance to the past. How do we plan for the flower season and the Darling Wildflower Show, which is held during the third weekend of September each year? It has always been held on this weekend because personal experience and the meticulous records that have been kept by the Darling Wildflower Society shows that THIS weekend provides the best variety of flowers to exhibit at the show. There have been shows in both dry and wet years and all that really changed was the quantity of flowers, but after three consecutive years of extreme drought and the boffins predicting a year of average or maybe just above average rainfall, we do not know what to expect. SO WHAT NOW? Botanists and farmers are eternal optimists; therefore, we go ahead and plan for the show as if we’re going to have a normal year. We know that we are in the winter rainfall area: it will 16

rain and there will be flowers. The only imponderables are how much rain and when, and what will be the reaction of the flowers. The early indications are that the flowers are there and will bloom. The early flowers bloomed on time and they are beautiful – a sign of a GOOD season. So, we say thank you for the rain that has already fallen and look forward to the rest of the rainy season with great expectations that the Show will be great and the flowers plentiful! If the rain continues and it is anything like a normal year, then we will have some magnificent flowers to show off. We’ve also planned to provide extra activities at the show in line with this year’s theme: “Conservation the Next Generation”. We’ll build on the success of our revamped Country Food & Craft Market, which will have something for everyone, and with a children’s area near the entertainment tent where adults will be entertained with live music featuring well-known local artists. There will be a wine and beer route featuring Cloof Wine Estate, Darling Cellars, Groote Post Winery, and of course our own Darling Brew. Tractor rides into the pristine Oude Post vlei where you can see the flowers in their natural environment are a special treat, and then there is the star of the show: the landscape Flower Hall depicting all of the various wildflowers that occur in the Darling district. Bring the family and come and enjoy yourselves on the wonderful West Coast at the Oldest Flower Show in South Africa!

2018 Darling Wildflower Show

Workshops Visit www.darlingwildflowers.co.za for more information or to book your seat.

EDUCATIONAL BIRD TALK 14 SEPTEMBER Duration 1 Hour Time 10:00–11:00 kids; 11:00–12:00 adults Cost Free Facilitator Dale Wright T 072 562 3946 E dale.wright@birdlife.org.za No bookings necessary

FLOWER TALK 14 SEPTEMBER Photography as a tool for Conservation Duration 30 min Time 13:00–13:30 Cost Free Facilitator Ron Moller Conservation – The next Generation Duration 30 min Time 13:30–14:00 Cost Free Facilitator Ron Moller/Angelique Rosant T 084 423 7259 E ron@storyteller-media.co.za No bookings necessary

KIDS ART CLASS

MAKE YOUR OWN FLOWER CROWN 15 & 16 SEPTEMBER Duration 1½ Hours Time 9:30–11:00 Cost R300 pp Facilitator Karen Moyle T 082 573 7736 E karen@flowersonthestoep.co.za Advanced bookings required

THE DIFFERENT COLOURS OF HONEY & THE FACT THAT OUR BEES ARE IN DANGER. 15 SEPTEMBER

14 SEPTEMBER Duration 1 Hour Time 14:00–15:00 & 15:30–16:30 Cost R50 per child Facilitator Melanie Mulder Includes all art materials and old t-shirts for the kids to wear to protect their clothing. T 022 451 2202 E mariaan@iloveyzer.co.za Advanced bookings required Limited seats. A class for Primary School Children only. The workshop will be mixed media – paint, acrylic inks, markers, soft pastel, chalk, charcoal and watercolour pencils.

Duration 1 Hour Time 11:30 to 12:30 Cost Free No bookings necessary

FISHERMAN’S COTTAGE ART CLASS 15 SEPTEMBER Duration 3 Hours Time 13:30–16:30 Cost R300 pp using own art supplies. R400 pp including art supplies. Facilitator Louis Pretorius T 072 524 6549 E louis.pretorius@live.com Advanced bookings required

2018 Darling Wildflower Show