A sure sign that the cosmos is going to bloom in Joburg is the muttered utterances of, "Sjoe, it's cold hey?" that the first winter chill in the air brings about. This flowering of white, pink, and lilac is an undoubted highlight of Joburg, and there are a few places where you can discover seas of pink and white to walk through.
Cosmos flowers are colourful flowers that bloom annually in colder weather. The pops of colour in the veld are now an essential autumn feature in Joburg, but this wasn't always the case. During the
South African War
, cosmos was accidentally introduced to the soils of South Africa when the seeds arrived in contaminated horse feed from
Argentina
. As streams of people, wagons, oxen, and horses flattened the earth, the seeds took root, and cosmos fields erupted as Joburg expanded.
The most well-known of these fields is
Delta Park
in
Craighall Park
where the blooms bring new life to the routes often frequented by dog walkers, runners, and cyclists. It is unclear why the cosmos took root so strongly in Delta Park, though its use as a cattle farm in the 1900s is the most likely explanation. But enough history. This is a guide to the best places for bloom-spotting, so without further ado... here's where to see them.
Delta Park gets that much more beautiful with its autumn blooms. Photo by 2Summers, who has catalogued the cosmos seasons beautifully on her popular blog.
An old-time favourite, Delta Park has become the park of choice for cyclists, families, dog walkers, and runners thanks to its network of trails, picnic spaces, and jungle gyms. It is also the place closest to the city where you can marvel at the turn of the season with fields of cosmos taller than you. To find the most lush field, enter the park through the main entrance (at the bottom of Road No 3, Victory Park). From there, take an immediate left and follow the fence line up the hill. After a short walk, hundreds of delicate flowers will greet you on your right.
Make sure to bring shoes that can get dirty, as the ground does get muddy in parts, and walking in those patches might be unavoidable. We recommend making a day of it by bringing a picnic and your camera. We also suggest you go either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to get the best light for Insta-worthy photos. For an extended adventure, you can stop by
Delta Cafè
for a coffee or beer, or start your route from
Delta Central
, where there are plenty of food and drink options. From here, you can walk along the spruit and take a right when you reach the
Blairgowrie Scouts Hall
. Continue past the jungle gyms and up the hill, and you should be greeted by some perky cosmos.
For more tips on seeing the cosmos in Delta Park, we enjoyed reading the experiences shared by
Minkys
and
2Summers
on their respective blogs.
2. Cradle of Humankind
Cradle of Humankind dons pink and white flowers in April. Photo: Cradle of Humankind.
The rolling hills surrounding
Cradle of Humankind
make it a magnificent place to visit. Add some cosmos, and it will take your breath away. For a day visit, head to
Maropeng
where you can take in the great views over the rocky grasslands. If you're in the mood for a longer trip, check out our guide on
where to stay in the Cradle
and use the time to explore the different cosmos fields. This area also offers a variety of other activities, including restaurants and cafes, cycling, hiking, the
NIROX Sculpture Park
, and rides in a
hot air balloon
.
3. Magaliesberg
Cosmos have a reputation for growing in abundance next to the side of the road, so one of the best ways to spot the blooms is to take a bit of a drive out of the city. Just beyond Cradle of Humankind, the
Magaliesberg
region has been known to show off beautiful fields filled with delicate blooms. A lovely stop for lunch is
De Hoek Country Hotel
. Book in advance for
High Tea
, opt for a lazy picnic, or sit down at the
Bridge Bistro
or
Conservatory Restaurant
on the hotel's premises. You can also make a weekend of it and enjoy the views from a zipline with
Magaliesberg Canopy Tours
, or a hot air balloon ride with
Bill Harrop's Original Balloon Safari
.
4. Lanseria
Cosmos aplenty in Lanseria. Photo: Supplied.
It might be a little way out of Joburg,
but Lanseria
is the only place you can find cosmos fields that give Delta Park a run for its money – and sometimes even outdo it. While there aren't many designated areas where the cosmos bloom, there are a few fields in this area that are pretty easy to spot when driving through. To make the search more enjoyable, stop at
The Forum Kitchen at L'antico Giardino
for a serene and uncomplicated outdoor breakfast and lunch, or try out the seasonal menus at
Culinary Table
. If your search is proving difficult, your best bet is likely
The Fat Olive
, a popular restaurant where cosmos take over the hills surrounding it each year. You can also treat yourself to a luxury weekend getaway with a stay at
Toadbury Hall Country Hotel
.
5. The Shed & Silo Cafe
Blooming cosmos at Shed and Silo Cafe in Benoni. Photo: Shed and Silo via Instagram.
Finding cosmos becomes trickier when you're not driving past vast swathes of open land, but if you head out to the East Rand we found the most delightful spot in
