The majority of the South African Proteaceae species in the wild grow in the Western Cape and many of them are close to Bettys Bay.
Rainfall varies around 1000 mm/year, is mainly in winter from frontal NW rain, the summer prevailing winds are from the SE, temperatures seldom rise over 32 degC, winter is usually above 8 degC. Proximity to the south Indian Ocean ensures moist air, the soil is well-drained with a pH of around 5.5. The property borders on the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve where the higher areas can receive 2000 mm pa in rain and cloud condensation, in certain areas the soils are almost peaty in makeup.
Inland it gets progressively drier, and the higher parts have occasional snow, though never for long. The soil varies, is mostly acidic, and is characterized by low nutrients and an almost complete absence of phosphate.