BabylonSTORIES: Dr Ernst van Jaarsveld – Master botanist and succulent expert (S1, EP3)

In this third instalment of BabylonSTORIES, we share a conversation with Dr Ernst van Jaarsveld, renowned horticulturalist, succulent guru and eternal gardener. Ernst spent 42 years at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in Cape Town, where he planted and curated the Botanical Society Conservatory before joining Babylonstoren on his retirement in 2015. 

Today we visit him in the Succulent House to discuss the unique beauty of this resilient corner of the farm. Under his guidance and expertise, the Succulent House is home to almost 3500 species that reflect the incredible diversity found in South Africa. He imparts some of his vast knowledge about gardening and plants, along with his gardening philosophy, which have inspired a generation of gardening enthusiasts. 

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