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“If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it”

27/03/2026

Two weeks of completing my placement at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, the knowledge, expertise and commitment I had the privilege to see here was unbelievable.
The team were accommodating and really helped me reach my goals of learning about the Cape Floral Region, I can now say I have a better understanding of its ecology, conservation, biodiversity and why the flora and fauna here are so important.
The opportunity to focus on the fynbos environment has provided me with a great platform to conduct further research.
I would like to thank the whole team and a particular thank you to for being my mentor during my time here.
I'm sure this won't be the last time I visit, and I can certainly say that I will be leaving with an experience that I will never forget.

20/03/2026

My first week of placement at the incredible Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, words can't describe the feeling one gets being surrounded by such beauty, to have the opportunity to walk endlessly each day and be amazed by the vast amounts of flora and fauna.
To learn from experts in both horticulture and botany and have the chance to witness conservation at its best, after just one week I've learnt about new species, how they grow and why they're important, enhancing my understanding of the Fynbos environment and why the Cape Floral Region is so unique.
A huge thank you to for hosting me, for helping me gain this experience and for igniting my passion for horticulture through studies.
I can't wait for what's to come during my second week of placement here.

28/12/2025

*Roridula dentata
Grown from seed two years ago using smoke treatment, it's now thriving even during the cold dark winter months.
This proto-carnivorous plant, unable to produce the necessary digestive enzymes to break down the insects it captures, has developed a symbiotic relationship with Pameridea insects. These insects consume the caught bugs and then excrement on the underside of the leaves, which the plant then absorbs.
In cultivation this process can be substituted with foliar feed.

22/12/2025

*Edithcolea grandis var. baylissiana
One of the greatest achievements in my horticultural endeavors was to successfully flower an Edithcolea (also known as the Persian Carpet Flower), this species of Asclepiadaceae requires extremely specific conditions to grow and this can be challenging at times, the steady conditions needed are hard to replicate in the UK and I've found that even when these conditions are met, the slightest adjustment in watering can trigger sudden loss.
But I can honestly say that the reward has outweighed the risk and I hope to see many more flowers in the future.

01/12/2024

*Marchantia polymorpha
Also known as a common liverwort, a large species of thalloid liverwort featuring amazing gemma cups which when disturbed or splashed with rain disperse gemmae that will grow into new plants.
The structure of these are very fascinating and the ability to survive almost anywhere in the world is a great adaptation to have.

29/09/2024

*Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'
I grew this plant from a root cutting 3 years ago and now it's showing us why it was worth all the effort.
Native to Eastern and Central China and Taiwan this particular plant is the cultivar 'Rex' being a semi-evergreen plant here in the UK but it can also be evergreen in milder conditions.
It adds a very tropical feature to any garden and the architectural leaves make this plant very attractive.

22/09/2024

*N. veitchii (BE-3734)
There is nothing better than a striped peristome on Nepenthes!
This is N. veitchii, a plant native to Borneo and is often found growing as an epiphyte in highland conditions.
This particular plant was horticulturally bred by Borneo Exotics from 2 different cloned parent plants, the female parent doner being a gold peristome/gold body form of veitchii and the male parent doner being a candy striped peristome/pink body form of veitchii.
This is the result of a single grex of seeds.

18/08/2024

*Nepenthes jacquelineae
Such an elegant and colourful pitcher, this particular plant was received as an unknown clone but it is noticeably more orange and yellow in colouration than other jacquelineae clones I have encountered.
This is still a juvenile pitcher and has not produced its large flared peristome that this species is well known for, but with this colouration it promises to be quite spectacular.
This is a highland species that is endemic to the Indonesian Island of Sumatra and lives and thrives in the tropical rainforests.

17/08/2024

*Drosera 'Andromeda'
A stunning cultivated hybrid between Drosera schizandra and Drosera prolifera.
It features characteristics from both parents, the large wavy leaves are reminiscent of D. schizandra with the addition of a petiole and spoon shaped leaf hereditary of D. prolifera.
The parents of this plant originate from Queensland, Australia and are known as a tropical species of Drosera due to their natural habitat being situated among rainforests with high humidity, warm temperatures and shaded areas.
This cultivar is no different and expects the same treatment as its parents.

16/08/2024

*Roridula dentata
This has to be one of my greatest achievements in horticulture, and I have to give a huge thanks and shout out to for all the help and advice I was given to make this possible.
This is a Roridula dentata seedling that I have been able to grow from seed, it may sound simple but this particular species needs smoke treatment for the seeds to germinate, this is due to it originating from South Africa where constant wildfires burn through their habitat, when the fires occur the seeds use the chemicals from the smoke to germinate, they germinate successfully when the fires are followed by thunder storms which occur quite frequently in summer months, this then causes the seeds to release a protective waxy coating before the germination process can begin.
A very amazing technique and a more amazing plant that is produced, I'm holding thumbs that this plant can reach maturity to show us why this whole process is worth it.

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