Behind the beauty of your favourite botanical garden are the hardworking green thumbs that deserve their flowers!
South Africa (22 April 2026) – This week, the South African National Biodiversity Institute shone a spotlight on the botanists and groundskeepers who put the hard work into looking after its 11 botanical gardens in the country.
“If you’ve ever walked through our botanical gardens and felt a sense of peace, remember: that tranquility is actually someone’s hard work.” the institute shared online, “It’s easy to think nature just happens, but immaculate lawns and perfectly pruned hedges don’t stay that way on their own. Behind every view is a crew of groundsmen and horticulturists, who are out there before the gates even open – planting, weeding, and nurturing. “
We’re happy to see SA’s green thumbs get the flowers they deserve. There’s a lot that goes into protecting and conserving the natural spaces we love escaping to. It isn’t often celebrated.
Botanists at SANBI do everything from researching, studying and identifying plants to maintaining plant databases, collecting samples, monitoring ecosystems, and recording changes in biodiversity over time. Much of their essential work feeds into conservation, policy and even climate science.
Then there are groundskeepers, or horticulturalists, who spend their days in the botanical gardens we know and love, planting, pruning, weeding, and keeping soil healthy. They’re also custodians of indigenous plants, and they care for plant species that are difficult to maintain, endangered, or rare.
“They are the ones with the dirty boots and sun-tired eyes who make sure we have a beautiful place to escape to.” SANBI shares, honouring its hardworking greens teams. “Next time you visit, take a moment to appreciate the effort. A garden is only as beautiful as the hands that tend it.”
Sources: Linked above.
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