Nkosi Nursery

The first tree name Alex March learned when studying horticulture was Erythrina lysistemon.

The second was Citharexylum quadrangulare (a.k.a Fiddlewood). Fortunately, the indigenous coral tree had more appeal, and in a short time Alex became, by his own admission, an ‘indigenous nut’.

Part of the course requirements was to learn the names of 2000 plants. “Trying to get my tongue around the botanical names took a while, but after a couple of months, I realised that I loved this and was hooked,” he remembers, “soon everyone in the class was asking me for the names of plants.” Unsurprisingly, much of his childhood was spent exploring the New Germany Nature Reserve near his home, it was here his awe of Nature was nurtured.  Visiting the area as an adult armed with his new botanical knowledge was pure joy as he met Anastrabe integerrima, Faurea saligna and Protorhus longifolia.  The practical year of his Horticulture Diploma was at the Ezemvelo nursery at Queen Elizabeth Park, where he would walk after work collecting leaves and flowers and then spend the evenings identifying the plants.

Always up for an adventure, Alex applied for a 2-year internship at Kirstenbosch, although he had never visited Cape Town before.  “This was a fantastic time. I went on every collecting trip possible – to Angola, the Wild Coast, and the mountains along the Eastern Cape. Many of these excursions were with legendary Ernst van Jaarsveld.” Soon everyone at Kirstenbosch was asking him “What tree is this, Alex?”  Despite being offered a job at Kirstenbosch, Alex-The-Tree-Man knew that his heart lay in KwaZulu-Natal where there were plenty of trees (unlike the Western Cape), and he returned home.  Then he headed to the UK for a few years to work as a gardener across London – clipping hedges for the Duke and Duchess of Kent, planting thousands of annuals for an Arab Sheik, raking copious autumn leaves, and traveling through Europe.

Back in KwaZulu-Natal he was offered some land to grow proteas. Nkosi Nursery in Karkloof was born, named for the spectacular King protea (Protea cynaroides).  Quickly, the nursery expanded from just flowers and Alex was a regular at fairs and markets with his indigenous plant selection.  “Once you start collecting and germinating seed, things just grow,” he laughs, “I needed more and more space.”

In the early 2000s when there was a growth spurt for indigenous plants as many estates were built – Alex was perfectly placed to meet this demand.  “Back then many homeowners were pretty clueless about indigenous, so I began landscaping gardens as well as supplying the plants, and selling wholesale to other nurseries.”   One of his early clients was Nicky Firth.  He has created two very different gardens for her over two decades. “Alex is one of our favourite people and has been a huge part of both these gardens of ours. He is a knowledgeable, creative, kind, and straightforward person who runs his business in a very professional way,” she enthuses.

Alex focussed on Midlands plants, those that thrive in the colder conditions. Many indigenous nurseries are based on the coast, where plants grow easily, but they are not tough enough for a Drakensberg garden. Jean and Ant Carte, who built Montusi Mountain Lodge on a neglected wattle wasteland, concur.  “Elsa Pooley encouraged us to create an indigenous garden for all the right reasons: water independence, appropriate to the location, and to delight the birdlife. She introduced us to Alex, and we began a joint venture to cherish our locally indigenous plants.  Alex always made good suggestions, like rather than opting for short flowering colourful plants, we consider a variety of green and grey foliage, and most importantly, those plants that the birds and the bees need to thrive. In the ‘Berg we experience heat and frost, torrential rain and snow, gusty wind, and misty days.  Alex shared his experience of success and failure, encouraged us to experiment and helped propagate plants on site. Our beautiful indigenous gardens are now a talking point amongst our guests. Other gardens might claim to be the best gardens in KZN but Montusi can certainly claim the title of Best Indigenous Nkosi Garden!”

In 2017, Nkosi Nursery was awarded the contract to rescue and rehabilitate the slopes created by the upgrade to Sani Pass. Renowned author, artist, and indigenous expert, Elsa Pooley told the contractors “There is only one person qualified for the job, with experience in dealing with the harsh winters of the inland areas. Alex is an exceptional plantsman – both a gifted horticulturist and landscaper. He has specialised in the plants of the midlands and mountains of KZN where he hikes and rides often, photographs flowers, and collects seed.”

Sani was an interesting challenge for the Nkosi team.  “We needed a multi-pronged approach – we gathered seed, collected plants, dug up sods, saved topsoil and took cuttings.  Being a World Heritage site, the steep banks couldn’t be plastered with easy options like kikuyu or concrete,” explains Alex.  In many areas, the results are fantastic. 

Elsa adds, “His skill has been to re-establish the natural mix of species on the roadsides after construction of the road, with plants he has rescued and grown on. He has brought many new species into cultivation and his nursery is a valuable resource to local gardeners. Alex is a national treasure.”   

After 23 years, Nkosi Nursery had outgrown the possibilities of the Karkloof site, and Alex looked around for a new home. “You have to bet on yourself,” he advises, “I took the leap in 2022 and bought the land where Nkosi is now based. We repurposed the infrastructure, used shade netting on the sides of the tunnels rather than energy-greedy cooling systems, and carted our old water tanks across to collect rainwater from the roofs.”   Already, in just a couple of months, the tunnels are filled with healthy plants, many thriving because buck are not nibbling them all the time.

Naturally, Alex and his team are now dreaming of producing a wider selection of trees, more midlands grassland species, lots of bulbs, special Drakenberg plants and developing a dedicated retail area for keen gardeners to find inspiration and shop.  These are exciting times as the grounds are landscaped with spectacular cycads, fragrant pelargoniums along pathways, and striking cotyledons in the car park.  A group of Vachellia sieberiana (paperbark acacia) stands tall as a reminder that before the area was developed, the Midlands plants grown in the greenhouses thrived here all on their own.

Soon there will be Erythrina lysistemon flourishing too, their scarlet winter blooms reminding Alex of where his indigenous journey began, and the time that he took his destiny into his own soil-covered hands (with a few lucky bean seeds in his pocket) and planted roots to thrive in a new place.   

The new nursery at 11 Fyvie Road, Howick ( just off the N3) is open to the public from 9 to 3 on weekdays and weekends by appointment.

www.nkosinursery.co.za