Join me on an inspiring, immersive Botanical Art Gallery Tour at the breathtaking Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Discover the inspiring stories behind this botanical paradise, described as “a jewel in the crown of the Cape Floral Kingdom”.
Written by: Jonanda Kannemeyer, Botanical Artist and ABA Education Team Member
It was my lunch break in early September 2022. I received a message from my friend on Instagram with a link promoting the Grootbos Florilegium launch. It led me to discover a masterfully directed video clip, capturing the wonder of how botanical art celebrates and documents the majesty and beauty of the Cape Floral Kingdom and its wildlife, a landscape so familiar to me.
The clip overwhelmed me with emotion; it perfectly combined so many things I love. I discovered that a group of like-minded botanical artists had worked for years on this hidden gem, the Grootbos Florilegium. It re-ignited a dream of being out in the field - exploring, conserving, and painting, and that I needed to visit the Grootbos Florilegium. January 2025 marked my second visit to the Grootbos Florilegium, and I would love to share the experience with you…
The Breathtaking Location
Travel with me to the southern tip of Africa, near a town called Gansbaai along the Atlantic Ocean. This is the location of the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and the home of the Grootbos Florilegium, nestled within an ancient Milkwood Forest within the Cape Floristic Kingdom.
In a unique blend of art and ecology, the Grootbos Florilegium celebrates the region's diverse plant species, extending beyond depicting the plants to showcase their pollinators. The collection of commissioned artworks visually represents the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve's inspiring history, groundbreaking research, and remarkable initiatives, which celebrate and honour the people who have helped shape it through many years of hard work and conservation.
The reserve's landscape boasts spectacular sea views of the Atlantic Ocean and an extraordinarily high diversity of fynbos species and insects, with an impressive percentage of endemism. Fynbos refers to the unique, fire-adapted shrubland vegetation found in the southwestern and southern Cape of South Africa, characterized by high biodiversity and numerous endemic plant species.
Fittingly, the Florilegium Gallery Tour begins at the Grootbos Foundation's buildings, where our knowledgeable Gallery Tour guide welcomes the group and sets the scene with a brief overview of Grootbos' history. This introduction shares more about the Grootbos Foundation's pioneering conservation projects and impactful social upliftment programs.
By exploring the Grootbos Florilegium within this context, visitors can deepen their connection to this stunning botanical art collection and appreciate its full significance.
The Founding Stories of Grootbos
The founding stories behind the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve are an integral part of the Florilegium's beauty and importance. Before continuing the Gallery Tour, I would love to share some of its remarkable history. Please take a moment to watch this two-minute Video, which showcases the setting of the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.
As beautifully captured in these clips, the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is described as “a treasure trove” of unique flora and fauna. Founded by the Lutzeyer family in 1991, Grootbos' journey began with Michael and his father, Heiner, who, together with their families, were equally captivated by the beauty and splendour of this unique landscape.
"In May 1991, when we first came to Grootbos, the incredible view of Walker Bay to the distant Cape of Good Hope overwhelmed me from the first second I stood on our potential property. The stunning natural surroundings with blossoms shining in their most brilliant colours, green fynbos bushes and old Milkwood trees gave me the feeling that here I was part of paradise."
Michael Lutzeyer, Grootbos Founder and CEO [1]
The vibrant pink fields of flowering wild malvas won the hearts of Michael's parents, Heiner and Eva. They envisioned it as a worthwhile retirement investment but had yet to uncover all its hidden natural treasures and world-class tourism, conservation and social upliftment potential.
In 1997, a botanist, Sean Privett, joined the Grootbos team as their first Fynbos Guide and Conservation Manager and, together with Graeme Siebrits, undertook the initial vegetation survey, resulting in the identification of 250 plant species, with 31 species of conservation concern and one of the species new to science. Sean and the late Heiner Lutzeyer continued their vegetation studies, and by early 2010, the team had uncovered the astonishing diversity of 765 vascular plants.
The research identified six previously unknown species, four of which are found nowhere else in the world. [1]
Today, the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is a five-star tourism destination renowned for its conservation efforts and social upliftment programs. This pristine land provides a haven for 1026 plant species, including 100 endangered species and 6 species new to science. The reserve is also home to no less than 23 mammal species, and the Grootbos Foundation's Conservation team has worked tirelessly to create green corridors with neighbouring farms to conserve a more extensive stretch of protected land.
A Special Botanical Art Commission
In 2005, an encounter between Vicki Thomas and Heiner Lutzeyer at the Hermanus Farmers Market led to a pivotal moment in the early inception of the now Grootbos Florilegium. Vicki Thomas, showcasing her botanical paintings, was commissioned by Heiner Lutzeyer to paint one of the newly discovered species on Grootbos: Lachenalia lutzeyeri, or Grootbos Viooltjie, which he found. Without realizing it then, this painting by Vicki Thomas would become the first in the Grootbos Florilegium.
In 2006, wildfires swept through Grootbos, revealing another 70 species and highlighting the critical role of fire in shaping the fynbos ecosystem. This groundbreaking research culminated in creating a comprehensive "Field Guide to the Flora of Grootbos Nature Reserve and the Walker Bay region," first published in 2010 by the Grootbos Foundation.
The Grootbos Florilegium is Born
A few years later, Michael Lutzeyer approached Vicki Thomas to engage and commission a group of botanical artists to visit Grootbos, and paint an extensive collection of plants and their pollinators, insects, birds, and other associated creatures, found on the reserve. Michael wanted to reach the wider public and extend his conservation message beyond the property's guests.
Vicki excitedly suggested that this project be classified as a Florilegium, a collection of botanical artworks from a particular region.
"The enthusiasm and drive of Michael Lutzeyer, coupled with the skillful and loving guidance of Vicki Thomas, has taken this project to the next level and has started a new chapter in the history of botanical art both locally and globally."
Chris Lochner, Curator and Resident Artist
Vicki Thomas carefully selected and invited botanical artists to each spend time at the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and select a preferred plant that they wanted to study, dissect and paint or draw for the Florilegium. Interestingly, there was only one instance where two artists selected the same plant as their first choice, which shows how individually each person relates to the natural world.
This global collaboration grew to a number of 44 renowned botanical artists from around the world.
This exceptional group of artists are primarily from South Africa and eleven other countries, including Brazil, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Reunion, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zimbabwe. The combination of styles, talents and thousands of hours of hard work and dedication have resulted in a remarkable fynbos celebration, showcasing some of the very best talent of the international botanical arts community.
The resulting artworks are breathtakingly beautiful and highlight the delicate balance of each plant’s unique ecosystem. Michael’s vision soon grew into what is now known as the Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery, giving the artworks a permanent home.
After four years of hard work, despite the various challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gallery opened on 1 September 2022.
A Short Journey Through an Ancient Milkwood Forest
Back at the Gallery Tour, our guide led us from the Grootbos Foundation's Offices on a scenic journey through one of the world's most unique and ancient ecosystems: an Ancient Milkwood Forest.
This beautiful forest was home to some of the planet's oldest and most magnificent Milkwood trees. As we wandered through the forest, our guide mentioned that Grootbos derived its name from this very forest. "Grootbos" is Afrikaans for "the big thicket," a description of the forest's dense, thriving canopy. This forest is one of only 10 Milkwood forests on Earth, making it a scarce and special place.
Experiencing the Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery
As we emerged from the brief walk through the ancient Milkwood Forest, we arrived at the stunning Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery, home to the breathtaking Grootbos Florilegium. The Gallery is cleverly integrated by its architects into the environment.
The Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery was recognized by Time magazine as one of the World's Greatest Places in 2024. It is a unique collection of botanical art that showcases the remarkable biodiversity of the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. The carefully curated collection is showcased in seven themed rooms: Diversity, Ecology, Pollination, Fire, Heritage, Forests, and Threatened.
These themes are prevalent throughout the Grootbos history, perfectly fitting to tell the remarkable story of this ecological symphony. Each room is designed to capture the region's unique biodiversity, sharing its unique relationships between plants, pollinators, and mammals within the context of the theme.
Under the expert guidance of Chris Lochner, Curator and Resident Artist, we gained a deeper understanding of the stories behind this botanical wonderland. Chris's commentary skillfully highlighted the intricate ecosystems, pollinators, and conservation themes woven throughout the artworks, unveiling the many hidden treasures of the plants and their pollinators.
Additionally, the impressive, larger-than-life collector's edition of the Grootbos Florilegium book is on display, while coffee table versions are available from the Gallery's Gift Shop.
The Gallery Tour lasts between 2-2.5 hours. Both our visits to the Florilegium promised new discoveries, as each Gallery Tour guide revealed the many different ecological treasures hidden within this remarkable collection.
The Grootbos Florilegium is a testament to the powerful union of botanical art and conservation. All proceeds from the sale of Florilegium prints, books, and tours are generously donated to the Grootbos Foundation, supporting their vital conservation and cultural programs in equal measure.
"I count myself most fortunate to be the custodian of our shared vision to conserve and protect this beautiful corner of the country, and to build on my father's work. May it be a lasting tribute to his legacy and his passion for plants."
Michael Lutzeyer, Grootbos Founder and CEO
New Friends and Fynbos Infused Refreshments
As the tour ended, strangers were united by a shared connection forged by the beauty and wonder of the Grootbos Florilegium Gallery Tour experience. Having viewed the sheer beauty of 120 masterfully crafted botanical artworks showcasing the intricate relationships between flora and their pollinators, we were left in awe of nature's delicate ecosystem.
To complete the inspiring experience, we were presented with Grootbos’s own range of herbal fynbos teas and honey, paired with homemade shortbread, infused with delicate fynbos flowers. As we enjoyed our fynbos-infused refreshments, we were delighted by a surprise visit from the lovely Hannarie Wenhold, who gave the Grootbos Florilegium its permanent home.
While our group chatted over tea and shortbread, Maree Roos, a fellow tour group member, perfectly captured the essence of this experience with these words:
"In a hundred years from now, we will all be gone, but this Gallery will be a beacon."
Maree Roos, Gauteng
The Gallery Gift Shop
Before heading home, we explored the Gallery Gift Shop, which is filled with botanical treasures, including artwork prints, Florilegium books, cards, teas, honey, jewellery, clothing, and more. As we said our last farewells, there was an opportunity to sign the guestbook, knowing that our participation in the Gallery Tour has also contributed to the sustainability of this excellent initiative.
Accolades
Congratulations to Vicki Thomas on receiving the 2025 Shirley Sherwood Award for Botanical Art. The award is presented annually to recognize an artist's contribution to botanical art. Vicki's hard work and dedication to developing the Grootbos Florilegium, among her other botanical accolades, contributed to her selection for this prestigious award.
TIME magazine also recognized the Grootbos Florilegium as one of the World's Greatest Places in 2024.
Final Thoughts and Inspiration
Thank you to every individual who contributed to this wonderful project! May the thousands of combined hours of dedication that made this Gallery and artworks possible reap a harvest far beyond our imagination, serving as a beacon of hope for future generations. May the artists' dedication to the time-intensive craft of botanical art inspire relentless hard work and excellence for the greater good, celebrating the beauty of nature, educating the public about the importance of conservation, and encouraging us to slow down, look closer and appreciate the wonders of the delicate ecosystems of the natural world around us.
I would love to leave you with this inspiring Video featuring the Grootbos Florilegium artists’ journeys.
I cannot wait for the next visit. Hope to see you there!
Grootbos Florilegium Tour Options
Please note that you do not have to be a guest at the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve to be able to book a Gallery Tour. Gallery Tours, however, need to be booked in advance, online via their website: https://www.grootbos.com/en/florilegium
Tour Options are:
Option 1: A 4.5 hour memorable half-day tour, which includes:
A welcome drink at Bellavista Country Place; a 1.5-hour 4x4 Botanical Safari through Grootbos Private Nature Reserve; a visit to the Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery and a three-course Botanical Lunch at Bellavista Country Place.
Option 2: A 2 hour Guided tour through the Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery and refreshments after the tour.
Credits & References:
Special thanks to Chris Lochner, Grootbos Florilegium Curator and Resident Artist, for sharing his much-valued time, knowledge, photos and input in creating this blog.
Books:
[1] Field Guide to the Flora of Grootbos Nature Reserve and the Walker Bay Region, by Sean Privett & Heiner Lutzeyer, published by the Grootbos Foundation. (available from online booksellers)
The Grootbos Florilegium Book, by Quivertree Publications. (also available from online booksellers)
Grootbos Blogs:
Cape Flora & botanical wonderland of South Africa | Grootbos
Secrets of Nature - Gifts from the Earth
Grootbos Florilegium - Grootbos Foundation NGO South Africa
About - Florilegium | Grootbos Private Nature Reserve™
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve - YouTube Channel: