DESIGNING WITH NATURE.
The Wild Botanist is a specialist Wildlife Garden Design consultancy creating beautiful, considered gardens where indigenous plants, people and wildlife can thrive together.
From rethinking an existing garden to creating an indigenous landscape from the ground up, every project begins with the land itself - its conditions, its character and the wildlife it has the potential to support.
Gardens designed for more than just us.
We take a specialist approach to garden design, combining indigenous planting, local ecology and thoughtful design to create spaces that are beautiful to live in - and valuable to the wildlife around us.
Our consultancy can also include plant sourcing, garden layout and hardscaping advice, implementation logistics, subcontractor coordination and ongoing support.
01
Wildlife Garden Design
Thoughtfully designed indigenous gardens that provide food, shelter and habitat for birds, butterflies, bats, beneficial insects and other local wildlife.
02
Garden Rewilding
Transforming conventional or underperforming gardens into more natural, biodiverse landscapes... without sacrificing beauty, structure or considered design.
03
Coastal Indigenous Gardens
Gardens created specifically for the climate and ecology of the KZN North Coast, using indigenous species better suited to the environment in which they're planted.
Why Indigenous
The KZN North Coast has its own extraordinary ecology. Our gardens should reflect it.
Choosing indigenous plants isn't simply an aesthetic decision. The right plants can help create habitat, provide natural food sources for wildlife and build a garden better connected to its surrounding environment.
How we work
01
Site Assessment
Jan personally visits your property to understand the existing garden, landscape, conditions and opportunities - as well as your vision for the space.
02
Proposal
A tailored proposal is developed around the needs of the property, incorporating planting, layout, natural focal points and other design considerations where appropriate.
03
Implementation
Once approved, The Wild Botanist can oversee the practical implementation of the design, including sourcing plant material, hardscaping requirements and coordinating specialist subcontractors where required.
04
Aftercare
A wildlife garden evolves. Ongoing advice and support can be provided as required to help the garden establish, mature and come to life.
A different approach to garden design.
The Wild Botanist was created by Jan Kemp Nel to offer homeowners and property professionals something different: independent, specialist garden design advice centred on indigenous plants, wildlife and the ecology of the garden.
Rather than approaching a garden as something that simply needs to be landscaped, Jan considers what it has the potential to become.
The result is a practical, thoughtful approach to creating gardens that are beautiful for people - and meaningful for wildlife.
