Quiver tree ‘forest’ on the Thames at Chelsea in London

Neither an April Fool’s joke nor fake news: there is a quiver tree ‘forest’ on the River Thames near Chelsea in London. But only until Saturday 24 May. After that, it will ‘move’ to Somerset in the south of England. – At BüllsPort the quiver trees stay nicely where they are: in the quiver tree gorge in the NAUkLuFT.

The quiver tree ‘forest’ is an attraction at this year’s ‘RHS Chelsea Flower Show’ on the north bank of the Thames in London. The species Aloidendron dichotomum (Quiver Tree) and Aloidendron ramosissimum (Maiden’s Quiver Tree) have been planted on a specially created slope.

These are just two of the 6,000 succulent species that can be admired in the ‘Karoo Succulent Garden’ (see PDF with map). According to media reports, it is the most elaborate exhibition in the history of the ‘RHS Chelsea Flower Show’.

It also aims to emphasise the importance of preserving these drought-adapted plants – especially in times of climate change. The ‘RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025’ runs from Monday to Friday. The organisers are expecting up to 168,000 visitors.

Quiver trees and other succulents ‘move’ to Somerset

Quiver tree ‘forest’ on the Thames: This is how the slope with the quiver trees in the ‘Karoo Succulent Garden’ of the ‘RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025’, which takes place from 20 to 24 May on the banks of the Thames in London, should look. Drawing: ‘The Newt’ in Somerset

Afterwards, the quiver trees and the entire succulent garden will ‘move’ to Somerset in the south-west of England. More precisely: to the estate ‘The Newt’, which brought the succulents to England.

The Quiver Trees, Maiden’s Quiver Trees and the other succulents originate from the dry north-west of South Africa, the southern part of the Succulent Karoo. The northern part is in Namibia and extends as far as Lüderitz and Aus. Both parts form the southern area of the Namib Desert.

‘The Newt’ sourced the succulents in cooperation with its ‘sister farm’ Babylonstoren, which is located near Paarl, east of Cape Town.

BüllsPort’s quiver trees stay nicely in their gorge

Quiver trees of the species Aloidendron dichotomum and other succulents can also be found in the private nature reserve of BüllsPort Lodge & Farm in the Naukluft Mountains. A particularly large number can be found in the quiver tree gorge named after them. However, they do not move. They leave that to the mountains (see Geology of the NAUkLuFT)…

… and to the guests of BüllsPort Lodge & Farm, who can admire the trees on the Quiver Tree Gorge Trail. There are two versions of this hiking trail. You can be taken to the plateau of the NAUkLuFT and hike down the gorge on your own. Or you can hike a circular route, up and down.

It is particularly beautiful at the moment. After a long drought, abundant rainfall in March and April has visibly done the plants good. What’s more, the quiver trees are in bloom in May and June.

Flowering quiver tree on the slope of the quiver tree gorge in the Naukluft Mountains in the nature reserve of BüllsPort Lodge & Farm in the southern centre of Namibia. Photo (May 2021): Sven-Eric Stender