Kirstenbosch through the ages: A talk by Cherise Viljoen

Denise Fourie, publicity coordinator at the University of the Third Age (U3A), Helderberg

Just as our world is bursting into bloom, U3A Helderberg will host an appropriate speaker on Wednesday, November 5, at this year’s final monthly meeting to be held at the Dutch Reformed Church, 82 Firmount Road, Somerset West, at 10am.

This meeting will be preceded by a brief annual general meeting.

Cherise Viljoen, of Cherish Plants, will speak on Kirstenbosch through the ages. A master horticulturalist, her career includes being a senior nursery manager at Kirstenbosch, a horticultural lecturer, and general manager of Old Nectar Gardens.

She has worked in botanical gardens and nurseries for more than two decades and has an extensive knowledge of the ornamental and landscape use of a wide variety of plants, with a focus on South African indigenous flora.

Many indigenous plants being used in the green industry today are a direct result of her horticultural work.

She has a Master’s in Horticulture from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), with both her Bachelor of Science (cum laude) and Master of Science degrees having focused on the ornamental aspects of the Streptocarpus species (Cape primrose) that she curated at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. It is the largest collection of this genus within a botanical garden in the world.

She has supported and advised on a large variety of indigenous plants (many of threatened status) held within the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) botanical gardens in South Africa and on various restoration and rehabilitation projects.

Furthermore, her ability to motivate people and her communication skills, plus effective time management and organising ability, have made her a successful coach and mentor in horticultural practices across all levels. She has guided many successful professionals in the green industry today.

As a professional speaker, she has addressed garden clubs, societies, and tours, and spoken on both radio and television. She participates in well-known horticultural and green industry events such as the SA Botanical Society’s annual Plant Fair and other flower shows.

She is an active member of various horticultural societies and a regular gardening judge for landscape and gardening events. She has also written reviews of some of our botanical gardens.

Besides offering professional horticultural services, Ms Viljoen is committed to working with her clients to find innovative and practical solutions to all plant-related matters, from propagation to production and cultivation to achieve optimum success, all the way to planting, sales, or simply healthy garden specimens. She also advises on best practice.

Entrance is free for members, and visitors will pay R20 at the door. For more information, contact Ms Fourie at 072 2111173.