Photo: Young White Ironwood growing in a Fernkloof garden
The White Ironwood tree Vepris lanceolata was the Tree of the Year in 2014 – and for good reason. It is a beautiful small tree and highly suited to conditions in Hermanus as it grows naturally the coast of the Western Cape. It is evergreen and reaches a height of 4-6 m so it’s perfect as a garden plant. Small yellow flowers appear in summer and the fruits smell of lemon. The tree attracts butterflies and birds such as the red-winged starling.