During SPRING, visitors from all over the world, come to experience the kaleidoscope of colour, provided by our Spring Flowers….All along the West Coast, deep into Namaqua Land and the Northern Cape…just flowers! Millions of colourfull flower heads dancing in the wind and smiling in the sun…
We all need a place in the sun…
Flower viewing tips: The rainfall and the warm berg winds determine the duration of the flower season. You will experience the full beauty of the flowers during the warmest part of the day. Normally between 11h00 and 15h00. Flowers turn their heads to the sun. Viewing flowers with the sun behind you provides great photography opportunities.
Orange Arctotis and Yellow Sorrel & Oxalis
The following routes are best for flower viewing:
WEST COAST : Velddrif Area – Flowers are to be seen in open areas – Voortrekker Road to Piketberg, along the river in Laaiplek and Port Owen, along the road towards Dwarskersbos. Flowers that can be viewed: White, Yellow & Orange Daisy; Calendula; Sorrel; Hongerblomme (Senecio sp).
Oxalis -West Coast
Yellow Vygie on the West Coast
Purple Vygie(bush) – West Coast
Klawer & Vredendal – between Klawer and Vredendal up to Lutzville – (R363); Doringbaai , Strandfontein to Lutzville (R362)
White Daisy
Koekenaap, Bitterfontein Area – On the gravel road to “Landplaas” and the farm Koeelfontein. Vanrhynsdorp – Urionskraal road,Gifberg and Kobee road,”Waterval” This area is famous for the hundreds of succulent and vygie species found in the quartzfields and surrounding vygieveld.
Orange Vygie
Flowering from early autumn through to spring, these miniatures and creepers are best appreciated on foot. Be on the look out for flowers like: Dandelions(Perdeblom), “Crab’s Eyes”(Krapogie)-They huddle against the white quartz pebbles in the Knersvlakte and burst out in colour bearing white or pink flowers with white centres in the spring, Stone Plant(Koesnaatjie),Crassula(Sentkannetjie) and a variety of vygie species.
Yellow Vygie
NAMAQUA ….the Land of Contrast… With the first rains in early winter, these dry lands are transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour… Be on the look out for: Daisies, Vygies, Lilies, Aloes, Mesembryanthemuns of about 4000 species growing here. Due to the semi-desert conditions of the Namaqua, large numbers and varieties of succulents are growing in this Region.
Spring Daisy – Cotula Dackittiae
Purple Vygie
The Hantam Flower Trails is a great way to experience the spring flowers. Start South of Loeriesfontein and head North to Calvinia. View the all favorite Namaqua Daisy, the Beetle Daisy, Gazanias, Vygies,
Namaqua Daisy – White
Beetle Daisy
Gazania
Cup-and-Saucer
The common names for species in the genus are cup-and-saucer and men-in-a-boat. There are about 40 species and 13 of them are in the Cape Floral province.
Candelabra Flower – Brunsvigia Bosmaniae
This specie is found in Calvinia as well as below the koppies near Niewoudtville . The large heads of individual flowers vary in shades of pale to bright pink, with darker keels. Each flower head consists of 20-40 flowers on a stalk. The triangular-shaped capsules are 30-60 mm long.
Pretty!
This pretty little flower grows in Calvinia – Northern Cape. Unfortunately I do not know the name and would appreciate if anyone with more information on this beauty can contact me by email: annie@northerncape-info-directory.co.za
No two visits to see flowers, are the same. Enjoy the incredible beauty provided by Mother Nature. Never remove plants or bulbs from the veld as it is illegal to do so. Rather take ample photographs to remind you of an unforgettable experience.