Flower-gazers in the Boland will see an array of fynbos flowers, according to Engela Duvenage of Cape Nature Conservation. Lots of proteas and ericas will be out, as well as delicate bulbs, such as gladioli.

On the West Coast, the fields will be painted with vygies, a fleshy-leaved plant with brightly coloured daisy-like flowers, and literally thousands of different daisy species.

Yellow pietsnotjies, pink vygies, yellow magrietjies, hongerblomme and apricot-hued tulips colour the landscape around Vredendal while at nearby Vanryns Pass there are spectacular showings of perdebosse, yellow and orange botterblomme and daisies. Small, sweet-smelling ixias will be in abundance, along with tall watsonias, which have small pipe-like flowers along the stem.

Under the citrus trees en route to Clanwilliam, daisies, perdebosse and magrietjiebosse can be seen and a colourful carpet of flowers weaves around the roads and farms in regions from Citrusdal to Darling.

Namaqualand is synonymous with the Namaqualand daisy, a hardy plant with large, brightly-coloured flowers, but there are many other plants in bloom at the same time, including some beautiful succulents ? watch out for pink-blossomed euphorbias ? and delicate blue sporries. While the tapestries of colour are spectacular from a distance, take a closer look and you?ll be astounded by the variety of plants in a single area.

The flower season is rain-dependent, which is why it is normally from around August to mid-October. The flowers will only germinate after rain, and if the plants don?t flower, they don?t produce any seeds. ?If this flower season fails, there?s less seed in the ground,? said Engela. However, the drought would have to continue for a few years before it had an effect.

So what?s the significance of the flower season for people? We think Engela summed it up best. ?Suddenly people are made aware of the beauty and diversity of the plants.?