The informal path curves through a newly-expanded section of the Mediterranean Biome that was previously inaccessible to the public and helps showcase the rich biodiversity of South Africa’s South Western Cape.
The region is more abundant in floral diversity than an area of tropical rainforest, containing more than 9,000 different species of plants across an area roughly the size of Ireland. The United Kingdom, in comparison, is home to approximately 2,000 different plant species.
Rosie Henstridge, a Living Landscapes Technician at Eden, who spent three weeks researching in the South Western Cape, said: “The new pathway is a great addition to the Biome. Visitors are delighting in getting a spectacular new view of one of the most striking areas of planting we have here at Eden.
“It’s wonderful to see everyone enjoying South Africa’s amazing diversity, with a wide range of plants from Afromontane forest to Succulent Karoo, and from the Fynbos which runs from the mountains down to the coastal lowlands.”
The major addition of the path in this far corner of the Biome will be awash with colour from April onwards, with a rich array of succulents and Fynbos flowers, including vivid African daisies, warm pops of red flowering bulbs, endangered Leucadendron from the Proteaceae family and brightly coloured Erica.
Those visiting now will catch the towering candelabra aloes in full orange flower. While meandering along the new path they can hear the soft trilling of the resident frogs, sitting on fragrant Cape pondweed in the Pepsi Pool - so called due to the tannins of the Fynbos plant roots staining the pool the light golden colour of Pepsi.
To aid with the major revamp of the exhibit, Eden collaborated with long-standing contacts at The Grootbos Foundation and the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).
The Grootbos Foundation supports South African landowners with conservation activities as well as supporting local communities by providing education and employment to young people.
For the past 19 years, Eden has had the privilege of hosting Grootbos students in Cornwall. SANBI runs the famous National Botanic Gardens of Kirstenbosch and Karoo Desert, highlighting the importance of conservation in South Africa.
