The Sunday Mail
Andrew Mangwarara
THIS week, we feature the Golden Conifer Functions Venue in Strathaven, Harare.
It is a six-acre establishment that opened its doors for business in 2013. The venue hosts weddings, general parties and corporate events.
As you arrive, the car park area is adorned with the famous Kenyan croton (croton megalocarpus), which is an excellent shade tree. Reaching a height of about 20 metres and being a forest tree, the Kenyan croton is always evergreen, creating an all-year-round green gold effect.
The reception area gives you a red-carpet treatment. It is a replica of a forest setting where various young trees provide a peaceful atmosphere.
The garden chairs provided give visitors an opportunity to enjoy the cool shade in the midst of colourful flower beds that have lively crotons and the golden duranta, among other plants. A brick pathway enables one to take a walk around the gardens, leading to a 600-seater auditorium, after which various open spaces, well-designed and separated by cypress trees (conifers), surprise the visitor.
The green Kikuyu grass helps you relax. A water pond that is surrounded by various pebbles and succulents also intrigues the visitor.In the mix, you will notice specimens of the pony tail palm (beaucarnea recurvata) and the black-spine agave (agave macroacantha).
The meandering pathways also lead you to well-trimmed hedges and bushes.
Some old specimens like the fig tree (ficus capensis) give maturity to the place. The fever tree (acacia xanthophloea) is another gem in the garden. The benches, in different styles, add variety to the landscape.
The wild banana (strelitzia nicolai) is a good screening plant, which can reach a height of six metres, with white bird of paradise flowers.
You will also notice the king palm lined neatly on the side of the auditorium, with a row of well-trimmed potted plants arranged in unison to impress the senses.
If you would like to be featured in our green-up campaign, contact us on the number above. Feedback: [email protected] or [email protected]
