1. The “Flower of Kent” apple, which is associated with Isaac Newton’s Law of Gravity. It is an offspring of the original that died at Wolthorpe Manor, Newton’s family home in 1814. Newton was a student at Cambridge University but was at home because of the Great Plague in 1665, when an apple fell on his head whilst he was seated beneath the tree. This incident eventually led to the formulation of the Law of Gravity.

2. The Rumi olive originated in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem where Jesus Christ spent his last night before his betrayal, arrest and crucifixion. Carbon-14 dating has shown that the Rumi olive trees at Gethsemane are about 2400 years old. The cuttings from which the Rumi olive trees in the Heritage garden were propagated, were therefore obtained from one of the oldest gardens in the world.

3. A pear tree from Genadendal, the oldest missionary station in South Africa, was planted by Reverend Georg Schmidt in 1738. The tree served, amongst other things, as a meeting place for church services and even as a classroom. Although the tree was blown over twice during heavy storms, it sprouted each time and today is a symbol of hope for the Genadendal people.

4. A willow planted on the island in the dam originates from Napoleon’s grave on St Helena. Napoleon was, of course, later re-buried in Paris.

5. A milkwood tree in Mossel Bay is referred to as The Post Tree, since it served as a post office during the years of the spice trade between Europe and the Far East. Passing sailors left postal articles under the milkwood, from where it was collected by ships passing in the opposite direction. A cutting of the mother tree grows in the Heritage Garden.