We warmly invite you to join us at the IGCA 25 Congress in Cape Town, South Africa—a gathering of garden centre professionals from around the world. This is your chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts, share ideas, and discover the latest trends in our industry, all while enjoying the stunning beauty of one of the world’s most breathtaking cities.
During your time in Cape Town, you’ll have the chance to visit some of the region’s most renowned garden centers, where tradition meets innovation in the green industry. Explore iconic sites like Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, located on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. This garden is famous for its stunning beauty and vast collection of South Africa’s native plants. With over 1,300 acres of landscaped gardens, nature trails, and diverse plant species, it’s a paradise for nature lovers and botany enthusiasts.
In the Cape Winelands, Babylonstoren, established in 1692, is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, blending historical charm with sustainable farming. Its eight-acre garden features over 300 plant varieties, including fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants – all grown using organic methods. The farm promotes sustainability through eco-friendly practices and farm-to-table dining. Visitors can explore its gardens, enjoy guided tours, workshops, and visit the luxury hotel, spa, winery and artisanal shop.
Immerse yourself in South Africa’s unique plant life and culture, with tours and activities for everyone.
Join us at IGCA 25 for an unforgettable experience. This congress is more than just a conference—it’s a celebration of our global gardening community. Come meet new friends, exchange knowledge, and be part of a vibrant network of professionals who are passionate about the future of gardening. We look forward to welcoming you to Cape Town!
The IGCA 25 Congress offers three distinct tour formats, each designed to cater to different preferences and levels of engagement. While the overall itinerary remains consistent across all options, the degree of interaction varies. You can choose between the Next Gen Tour, Interactive Tour, or Non-Interactive Tour, depending on your interests and how actively you wish to participate. Please note that your choice of tour must be selected in advance during the registration process.
Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West
Stay in comfort at the Lord Charles Hotel. Enjoy the serene Cape Winelands setting, elegant rooms, and excellent service for a memorable experience, with nearby vineyards, golf courses, and stunning coastal views.
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This tour entails a guided experience where participants actively engage with both the bus captain and each other on various topics. Attendees can shape the direction of the conversation, exchange information and pose questions – all aimed at gaining maximum benefit from the tour.
Delegates are expected to participate in discussions, to share information and ideas about their businesses and conduct garden centre reviews with feedback to best gain the most of this experience. The bus will have delegates from a mix of different countries, and discussions are in English.
Next Generation Study Tour This tour is only open to delegates between the ages of 18-40. It is a learning experience to encourage the younger generation into the garden retail industry and to connect new networks and contacts from delegates all around the world. Active participation is essential.
This tour also includes a bonus Sunday afternoon ‘Meet and Greet’ activity and Business Forum discussion before the official opening of the congress on Sunday evening. Get to know your peers by participating and sharing information about your garden centre, work experiences, successes, challenges and what you hope to learn during the Congress with other delegates during this forum and active discussions on the bus during the tour.
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This is a leisure tour where no formal engagement or discussions are organized for buses. It typically will include a range of delegates from different countries and is open to all groups..
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Two, quick and impactful sessions with well known SA gardening personalities explaining more about SA, our trading conditions and plant kingdom
Tanya Visser
The popular presenter of “The Gardener” TV show, editor of The Gardener and Die Tuinier magazines, and a prolific gardening author, brings her extensive horticultural knowledge and passion for gardening to the stage. Her sessions promise to be engaging and insightful, drawing from her rich experience in South African gardening media
Leon Kluge
Leon Kluge, an internationally acclaimed landscape designer and horticulturist, is celebrated for his innovative garden designs that often feature native South African plants. With numerous awards to his name, including gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show, Leon will share his expertise on the country’s diverse flora and sustainable gardening practices
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the slopes of Table Mountain. Known for its rich diversity of South African flora, this garden offers breathtaking landscapes and numerous trails, including routes that lead up Table Mountain for those seeking adventure. Visit
Babylonstoren, an historic Cape Dutch farm in the Drakenstein Valley, where you can wander through extensive gardens, enjoy farm-to-table dining, participate in wine tasting, and stay in luxurious accommodations surrounded by stunning views.
Discover the Cape Winelands in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, where world-class wineries and picturesque landscapes await. These regions offer wine tastings, tours, and gourmet dining experiences, all set amidst charming towns and rolling vineyards. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, a bustling hub filled with shops, restaurants, and attractions like the Two Oceans Aquarium, all set against the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain and the harbor. Lastly, explore Boschendal, a historic wine estate in the Franschhoek Valley, known for its award-winning wines, farm-to-table dining, scenic trails, and a lively market, providing a perfect blend of history, luxury, and sustainability.
Explore some of South Africa’s premier garden centres, where quality plants and sustainable gardening practices take centre stage. From expansive, well-established nurseries to charming, family-run operations, these centres offer the opportunity to experience South Africa’s rich horticultural heritage firsthand, making each visit both educational and inspiring.
During the IGCA 2025 Congress, you can use the IGCA app, sponsored by Garden Connect, to stay in touch with other delegates. Share images, comments and ideas via the app. Participate in polls, and quizzes and give comments on other in-app posts. We will also keep you up to date on your personal inbox.
The app will be available in May 2025 for free on iOS and Android.
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