In this third instalment of BabylonSTORIES, we share a conversation with Dr Ernst van Jaarsveld, renowned horticulturalist, succulent guru and eternal gardener. Ernst spent 42 years at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in Cape Town, where he planted and curated the Botanical Society Conservatory before joining Babylonstoren on his retirement in 2015.

Today we visit him in the Succulent House to discuss the unique beauty of this resilient corner of the farm. Under his guidance and expertise, the Succulent House is home to almost 3500 species that reflect the incredible diversity found in South Africa. He imparts some of his vast knowledge about gardening and plants, along with his gardening philosophy, which have inspired a generation of gardening enthusiasts.

In our second episode of BabylonSTORIES, we talk with Constance Stuurman, floral artist, gardening guru and a true force of nature at Babylonstoren. Affectionately known as Connie, she is instantly recognisable for her unmistakable presence, boundless energy and a Tina Turner-like spirit. Connie has become legendary for her daily garden tours, spontaneous farm walks and the joyful way she shares her knowledge.

Raised on the wisdom of her granny Angelina and great-grandmother Anna - who lived to the remarkable ages of 101 and 113 - Constance carries a deep reverence for traditional Khoi healing herbs. She speaks about the five superherbs behind her immunity-boosting brew, grown in the Healing Garden, and about a life shaped by plants, ancestral knowledge and creativity. From expressive floral arrangements to hands-on workshops, Connie’s work reflects an unshakeable belief in nature’s power to heal, teach, create and inspire.

In our first episode of BabylonSTORIES, we sit down for a buzzing conversation with Arné Stander, resident beekeeper at the newly launched Byzantium, and an entomologist and conservation ecologist by training. Arné brings a rare blend of scientific insight, deep care for the natural world, and a gentle charm that makes every encounter with him feel like a sweet treat.

Join us as he shares the hidden rhythms of the hives, the craft behind caring for bees at Byzantium, and why these tiny pollinators matter more than ever.