Ben Botha was born in Elliot in the Eastern Cape and grew up on a farm where his Grandmother had an amazing garden. She taught Ben the love of gardening and plants from a very young age and he says that’s where it all started. 

When Ben and his wife, Carina, bought a house in a new development and had to start a garden from scratch, I suggested to the body corporate to go the indigenous route and they were totally sold on the concept!  It was so successful that Ben started his own landscaping business two years later.  

Since starting his collection about twenty years ago, Ben has more than 400 aloe species in his collection, as well as a large variety of other indigenous plants, including succulents.   Ben’s Garden has been featured on TV programs four times already and has been on BBC TV as well.  Ben give talks at nurseries and various festivals on indigenous and succulents and spread the good word.  His nursery is at Shongweni which is open to the public with a great variety of plants.  

Ben enjoys taking groups and garden clubs through his garden and is also involved in a large project at Kloof County Club to plant indigenous, especially trees! He has done many landscapes all over KZN, including places like Newcastle, Vryheid, Howick, PMB and many more!  Ben’s latest project is that he has started writing a book on water wise gardening!  

Ben can be contacted on +27 82 570 4064 at aloealoe@mweb.co.za 

and on Facebook at Ben Botha Landscapes and Nursery