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The FLORA project originated when members of the Wild Flower Society of Darling realized that too little was being done to protect the wild flowers of the district. They acted on this by establishing a trust that would finance a conservation project. It took 2 years to establish this trust which was eventually proclaimed as the Darling Wild Flower Conservation Trust.
After some discussion it was decided that a FLORA (a survey of all indigenous plant species) be compiled for the district of Darling. It is only after an extensive study has been done that one can truly determine where the need for drastic conservation is most pressing. Projects can then be scientifically planned and evaluated. This kind of survey has never been done in this region, mainly because most of the land is privately owned.
The Darling Wildflower Society has held a show virtually every year since that first show in 1917. The ideals expressed by the founders still hold true today. They wanted to display Darling's God-given wealth for the world to see. At the same time they promoted the conservation of flowers amongst the farmers of the district, who have since maintained the botanical diversity of the region over several generations.
The West Coast flower region, an integral part of the Cape Fynbos Kingdom, boasts more than 1200 species of flowering plants. About 80 of these are endemic to the West Coast and known nowhere else. The rich flora of the West Coast occurs on mainly three different soil types, culminating in three distinctive vegetation types, namely, Strandveld, Renosterveld and Sandveld.
Nowadays, when I take a walk through the fynbos, I notice that the West Coast fairies have been very busy decorating their Christmas trees! We normally call this bush the tortoise berry shrub.
In spring the strong thorny plants are covered in pretty pink flowers. And then, in December a wonderful berry pops out of each flower.
It goes through so many colour changes, starting with light beige, soft green, yellow, followed by the purples until it reaches the final bright red colour.
With Spring, the remote plains of Namaqualand come alive, bringing a spectacular display of wildflowers that offer a vital boost to one of South Africa's poorest areas.
As fears over climate change grow, this region has seen an influx of tourists wishing to witness the spectacle before changing rainfall patterns could one day kill off the flowers in this delicate environment.
Local flower expert Hendrik Van Zijl says"We are talking about trillions and trillions and trillions of flowers. We are not sitting on a national treasure but an international treasure!"
Wild Flower Reserves in Darling Contreberg Farm on the R307, renosterveld and vlei flora, rare specimens, enter on foot.
Waylands Farm on the R307, keep to the beaten track or get stuck in the vlei, enjoy a walk. Oudepost Reserve on the R307, keep to the beaten track or get stuck in the vlei, wonderful veld/vlei scenery
Tienie Versveld Reserve on the R315 towards Yzerfontein, vlei & flowers and rare renosterveld specimans.
Darling Renosterveld Reserve This reserve is in the village and on the hill, behind Darling Primary School, renosterbos & red bellied tortoise & birds
Groenekloof Renosterveld Reserve This lovely reserve is also in the village, behind the cemetry. The walk starts at the Spca parking area, very pretty geophytes & vlei. Rondeberg Reserve This private reserve is on the R27 near Yzerfontein and is a West Coast Fynbos Reserve. Buffelsfontein Game Reserve This private reserve is on the R27, between Yzerfontein and the West Coast National Park.
Flower viewing tips
From just outside Cape Town all the way to the Namibian border, the exuberance of spring flowers of the West Coast, Cedarberg and north to Namaqualand have a worldwide reputation.
This area, which receives little rain throughout the year, after the winter rains of May to July, the normally dry landscape explodes into a carpet of wild flowers. Vibrant fields of gousblomme vygies, nemesias, lachenalias, babiana and ixias appear in great profusion.
The entire region is rich in species found nowhere else in the world such as the yellow Leucospermum reflexum, the Snow Protea (protea cryophylla), blue Lachanaea filamentosa, yellow sparaxis, pink Cyanella alba and the Clanwilliam Cedar (widdringtonia cedarbergensis).
In springtime the flowers stretch from as far south as Yzerfontein and as far north as Springbok. If you’re after brilliant carpets of daisies then the West Coast, Bokkeveld, Knersvlakte, and Namaqualand are the places to go. True Namaqualand is actually a 48 000 square kilometre region north of the Olifants River. It integrates the little towns of Kliprand, Gamoep and Loeriesfontein on the eastern side and the Atlantic coastline on the west. When is flower time?
Peak season is from the beginning of August till the end of September. The lower-lying areas of the West Coast and Knersvlakte usually bloom first because the weather warms up quicker there. Sometimes these places have finished flowering already and only then do the higher spots around Nieuwoudtville, Kamieskroon and Springbok start budding. Certain places flower through October and even until November if the rain keeps falling and there are no withering berg winds.
the darling wildflower show
n springtime the flowers stretch from as far south as Yzerfontein and as far north as Springbok. If you’re after brilliant carpets of daisies then the West Coast, Bokkeveld, Knersvlakte, and Namaqualand are the places to go. True Namaqualand is actually a 48 000 square kilometre region north of the Olifants River. It integrates the little towns of Kliprand, Gamoep and Loeriesfontein on the eastern side and the Atlantic coastline on the west.
