A 10-year passion project by three of South Africa’s leading horticulturalists has finally been launched, with the South African public given the chance to meet the authors and buy a copy of the South African Indigenous Garden Plants: The Gardener’s Guide at upcoming launch events!

Celebrated local botanists Elsa Pooley, Geoff Nichols, and Andrew Hankey will be touring the country, sharing the work behind this beautifully illustrated, large-format book that covers 10% of South Africa’s 24,000+ flora, making it a must-have for anyone serious about sustainable gardening.

Co-published by Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House and the Flora and Fauna Publications Trust, this encyclopaedic guide offers invaluable insights into plant selection, landscaping, maintenance, and ideal growing conditions. Plus, the handy Plant Selector and full-colour photographs make it easy to bring any garden vision to life.

Thanks to generous sponsorships made to the public benefit organisation, The Flora & Fauna Publications Trust  – and with the authors not drawing any profit from the publication - this 3kg masterpiece is more affordable for the public. It’s truly a guide designed by experts, for nature enthusiasts, gardeners, landscapers, and plant lovers.

Speaking at a recent launch event hosted at Renishaw Hills on the KZN South Coast, Elsa said: “We’ve produced the kind of book that the three of us would like to use. It’s really user-friendly, the text is short, there are lots of beautiful pictures, and it works. We’ve already had such an incredible response to the book.”

Meet the Authors  

- Elsa Pooley is a renowned author, botanical artist, and garden designer with over five decades of experience. She’s famous for her definitive field guides and has received an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.​

​- Geoff Nichols is an award-winning horticulturist and natural historian. He pioneered South Africa’s first medicinal plant nursery and has authored several books on indigenous flora.  

- Andrew Hankey is a senior horticulturist at Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, a respected succulent expert, and a published scientific author and lecturer.

Join Elsa, Geoff, and Andrew at one of their special launch events and get a copy of the book personally signed by these local legends. This trio brings together decades of botanical expertise and a passion for sharing the beauty and benefits of indigenous gardening.

BOOK LAUNCH EVENTS

Date: 27 March

Time: 5.30pm for 6pm

Venue: Old Mutual Hall, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Hosted by the Botanical Society of South Africa (Kirstenbosch Branch)

Date: 29 March

Time: 11am

Venue: Harold Porter National Botanical Garden Hosted by the Botanical Society of South Africa (Kogelberg Branch)

Date: 3 April

Time: 6pm for 6.30pm

Venue: Exclusive Books, Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg

Date: 5 April

Time: 10.30am

Venue: Random Harvest Nursery, Muldersdrift

Date: 26 April

Time: 10am

Venue: Blackwood’s Hilton, Hilton College Road

Date: 16 May

Time: 2.30pm to 3.30pm

Venue: Franschhoek Literary Festival – Church Hall

Books will be available for sale at R850 each event - don’t miss the chance to have a copy signed by the authors! Books are also available from the Flora Trust for those who don’t attend the launches. Visit https://www.floratrust.co.za/product/south-african-indigenous-garden-plants-the-gardeners-guide/

From 20 to 25 May 2025, Elsa Pooley will also be attending the illustrious RHS Chelsea Flower Show in the United Kingdom. Leon Kluge, designer of the South African stand at Chelsea last year, achieving a gold medal, Best on Show, and People’s choice award – is incorporating the new book on the stand this year, and has invited Elsa to be at the stand on Press Day – before the show opens to the public.

For more information, visit www.floratrust.co.za, www.struiknature.co.za or www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za.