Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden is located in the historical center of Stellenbosch and is the oldest university botanical garden in South Africa. This compact Garden houses an enormous diversity of plants, both indigenous to South Africa and exotic. The Garden is open to the public and admission fee is R10.
The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, located in the historical center of Stellenbosch, is the oldest university botanical garden in South Africa. This compact Garden houses an enormous diversity of plants, both indigenous to South Africa and exotic. The Katjiepiering Restaurant offers a perfect place to rest and enjoy the Garden while the Shop offers a wide range of local and regional products. Also visit our Plant Sales area where you can find some of the beautiful plants cultivated in the Garden for sale.
Admission and rules:
- R10 Admission
- Free entry to SU students, staff and members of the Friends of the Botanical Garden
- Larger groups are welcome with prior-arrangement.
- Children under supervision
- No picnics allowed.
- No photo shoots without prior-arrangement
- No picking of plants
Facilities & Rentals
The tranquil and beautiful natural surroundings of the Botanical Garden offer the ideal setting for photographic shoots, garden functions, etc. The unique studio, with its modern “rainforest patio” is ideal for small conferences, exhibitions or workshops.Please contact the Katjiepiering Restaurant for further detials.
Education
The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden is frequently used as an open-air laboratory and plant material from the Botanical Garden is regulary used in various practicals. The Garden also regularly receives visits from small groups of primary and high schools students.Should you be interested to visit the Garden for any educational purposes please contact us in advance.
Theme Gardens
The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden is divided into several theme gardens, including a bonsai-en, bulb beds, waterliliy ponds, rockeries, fern house, tropical glasshouse and arid glasshouses. Many of these theme gardens date back to the founding of the Botanical Garden and some are still used by university students for practicals while others fulfill a purely esthetical purpose.
The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden is divided into several theme gardens, including a bonsai-en, bulb beds, waterliliy ponds, rockeries, fern house, tropical glasshouse and arid glasshouses. Many of these theme gardens date back to the founding of the Botanical Garden and some are still used by university students for practicals while others fulfill a purely esthetical purpose.
Glasshouses
Many plants that are not adapted to Stellenbosch’s climate are housed in one of the Botanical Garden’s four glasshouses. The tropical glasshouse and the two arid glasshouses are open to the public while the second tropical glasshouse is only open to the public on special occasions. Some of the orchids and other plants are regularly put on display in the tropical glasshouse.
Keys to the glasshouses can be signed out at the Shop from 8:00 to 16:30 daily.
Many plants that are not adapted to Stellenbosch’s climate are housed in one of the Botanical Garden’s four glasshouses. The tropical glasshouse and the two arid glasshouses are open to the public while the second tropical glasshouse is only open to the public on special occasions. Some of the orchids and other plants are regularly put on display in the tropical glasshouse.
Keys to the glasshouses can be signed out at the Shop from 8:00 to 16:30 daily.
Resources for plant enquiries
Do you have a plant, pest or disease that you want to indetify or do you need gardening advice? Try these handy resources.
| Do you have a general question on gardening or want to identifiy a plant? Download the Gardening with Babylonstoren App and get answers from a growing community of specialists and other enthusiasts. |
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| The Plant Disease Clinic at the Department of Plant Pathology can diagnose samples of plant material. Please contact them directly for more information. | Plant Disease Clinic |
| Have you seen a diseased plant, especially a fynbos species? Please contact Cape Citizen Science directly for more information. |
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| On i-Spot you can upload your images of plants and animals for the i-spot community to identify. |  |
| Plantzafrica is a extensive online plant library with information about our indigenous plants and how to grow them. |
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Collections
The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden houses many different plant collections ranging from indigenous and exotic species to bonsai. The Garden has recently implemented a new collections management system (IrisBG) which makes this information accessible to the public through Garden Explorer. The Garden’s collections, amongst others, include the following:
Western Cape Heritage Collection
Although the collection started in the 1960’s the bonsai and penjing only got a dedicated space in the Botanical Garden in 1972 when the collections of Becky Lucas and later Gerjo van der Merwe were acquired. More recently the bonsai of Louis Nel were put on permanent display in the collection. The collection also includes some excellent examples of African bonsai styles such as the flat-crown and baobab styles, as well as a variety of indigenous and exotic tree species, from wild olives (Olea europaea subsp. africana) to the redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). The collection houses some of the oldest bonsai from some of the first South African bonsai enthusiasts. One of the oldest bonsai on display is a pine tree (Pinus sp.) dating from 1940. The Boland Bonsai Kai and their team of volunteers help with the specialist care needed to maintain this bonsai collection.
Sorrel (Oxalis)
This collection of Oxalis was initiated in 2001, and has grown to currently include about 70% of southern African species. The collection also includes 5 non-South African species, about 10 recently described species, and about another 16 species that are new to science and in the process of being described. It acts as both a reference and research collection, and houses almost all specimens included in the species-level molecular phylogenetic reconstruction of southern African Oxalis. It continues to act as a source collection for morphological and molecular systematic research on the genus. Thus far 8 M.Sc. and 2 Ph.D students made use of this collection, and 19 research papers are linked to plants cultivated in it.
Malvas (Pelargonium)
An extensive Pelargonium collection was built up by Prof J.J.A. van der Walt during the 1970s to 1990s. This collection formed the basis of his Pelargonium systematic research, and contained most species of the genus recognized at the time. For the more variable species, a number of duplicate accessions were included to reflect this natural variation. The Pelargonium research scaled down dramatically after Prof Van der Walt’s retirement, and the main collection has been dismantled with many plants incorporated into the Garden itself. The Department of Botany and Zoology still maintains an extensive herbarium collection on Pelargonium, and records are maintained in log books and records at the Department.
Western Cape Heritage Collection
Although the collection started in the 1960’s the bonsai and penjing only got a dedicated space in the Botanical Garden in 1972 when the collections of Becky Lucas and later Gerjo van der Merwe were acquired. More recently the bonsai of Louis Nel were put on permanent display in the collection. The collection also includes some excellent examples of African bonsai styles such as the flat-crown and baobab styles, as well as a variety of indigenous and exotic tree species, from wild olives (Olea europaea subsp. africana) to the redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). The collection houses some of the oldest bonsai from some of the first South African bonsai enthusiasts. One of the oldest bonsai on display is a pine tree (Pinus sp.) dating from 1940. The Boland Bonsai Kai and their team of volunteers help with the specialist care needed to maintain this bonsai collection.
Sorrel (Oxalis)
This collection of Oxalis was initiated in 2001, and has grown to currently include about 70% of southern African species. The collection also includes 5 non-South African species, about 10 recently described species, and about another 16 species that are new to science and in the process of being described. It acts as both a reference and research collection, and houses almost all specimens included in the species-level molecular phylogenetic reconstruction of southern African Oxalis. It continues to act as a source collection for morphological and molecular systematic research on the genus. Thus far 8 M.Sc. and 2 Ph.D students made use of this collection, and 19 research papers are linked to plants cultivated in it.
Malvas (Pelargonium)
An extensive Pelargonium collection was built up by Prof J.J.A. van der Walt during the 1970s to 1990s. This collection formed the basis of his Pelargonium systematic research, and contained most species of the genus recognized at the time. For the more variable species, a number of duplicate accessions were included to reflect this natural variation. The Pelargonium research scaled down dramatically after Prof Van der Walt’s retirement, and the main collection has been dismantled with many plants incorporated into the Garden itself. The Department of Botany and Zoology still maintains an extensive herbarium collection on Pelargonium, and records are maintained in log books and records at the Department.
Collaboration
The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden work collaboratively with various other departments of the Stellenbosch University as well as with other botanical gardens in South Africa and abroad. The Garden is also a member of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).
Organisations that collaborate with the Botanical Garden include the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Chanticleer Garden, and Boland Bonsai Kai. All our transport needs are proudly supported by Westvaal Stellenbosch.
Organisations that collaborate with the Botanical Garden include the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Chanticleer Garden, and Boland Bonsai Kai. All our transport needs are proudly supported by Westvaal Stellenbosch.
Shop
A large variety of organic and unique African cosmetic and medicinal products are sold here, as well as a comprehensive collection of books, indigenous seed, natural handmade soaps, oils and creams and other eco-friendly products. Our health range includes products made from bitter aloe (Aloe ferox), Bulbine, comfrey, rooibos, marula, wild rosemary (Eriocephalus), wormwood (Artemisia), wild aster (Helichrysum).
Other special items are the indigenous liqueurs, locally produced organic wine and olive products, honey, bonsai implements and trays, ballpoint pens made out of indigenous wood and natural fibre baskets.
Other special items are the indigenous liqueurs, locally produced organic wine and olive products, honey, bonsai implements and trays, ballpoint pens made out of indigenous wood and natural fibre baskets.
The Shop is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00.
All income generated from sales go directly to supporting the activities of the Botanical Garden.
Opening hours:
08:00 to 17:00 (Monday to Sunday). The Garden is closed on certain public holidays.
Parking:
Although the Botanical Garden does not have a visitor parking area, a public parking lot is located adjacent to the Garden in Van Riebeeck Street. Off-street parking is also available in the area surrounding the Garden.
Garden Map:
Follow the link to access the Botanical Garden map.
Garden Map
Contact Us
Botanical Garden and Shop:
Tel: +27 21 808 3054
Fax: +27 21 808 9504
E-mail: subg@sun.ac.za
Botanical Garden and Shop:Tel: +27 21 808 3054
Fax: +27 21 808 9504
E-mail: subg@sun.ac.za
Follow the Botanical Garden on Facebook
Katjiepiering Restaurant:
Tel: +27 21 808 3025
Fax: +27 21 808 9504
E-mail: katjiepieringrestaurant@gmail.com