The first Mohlware Garden Club meeting took place in August 2017 at the Witkoppen Wildflower Nursery in the little tea garden. The relaxed, friendly, informal atmosphere of that initial get together is still an integral part of our quirky garden club – everyone is so welcoming, interested and willing to share knowledge, plants, advice and information, not forgetting the wonderful, delicious teas and eats provided by the member hosting the garden visit. (We also share recipes!)
However, don’t be fooled by the social aspect of this club! Our members collectively have a vast knowledge of endemic, indigenous, invasive and exotic plants which they willingly share on our WhatsApp group and via email. There is also a great interest in birds, insects, animals and reptiles – anything which may inhabit a garden.
The Mohlware members meet roughly once a month usually at a member’s garden where we explore the garden and listen with interest how the garden has developed with time and how challenges have been overcome. Most of the gardens are in the NREE but each and every garden is quite unique – from sub tropical Cycads, dams and streams, rocky outcrops, manicured flower beds to grasslands – just some of the 15 member gardens we’ve visited!
In the past nineteen months we’ve also visited three interesting and beautiful non-member gardens in the North Riding area; attended four fascinating talks at Random Harvest Nursery, plus one at the Witkoppen Wildflower Nursery; enjoyed the annual sale at Sunbird Aloes in Randburg; organized guest speakers on local birds and trees and not forgetting a wonderful presentation on growing coffee followed by a coffee tasting by one of our own members!
