The Gardener South Africa – September 2019

90 l http://www.thegardener.co.za

KWAZULU-NATAL

Harcourts Hilton

Open Midlands Gardens

Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 September

WATERFORD HALL

This garden is nearing maturity, as evidenced by the profusion of

well-established roses, shrubs and old-fashioned perennials. At the

rear of the house, walk through the Chinese pavilion, up the steps to

a columned patio that overlooks the dam, the orchard and the trees

beyond.

A walkway leads up steps to the white garden – a feast of roses

and flowering perennials that line the path, and a domed gazebo.

The overall picture of this garden is one of exuberance where cherry

trees flower in spring and acers change colour in autumn.

21 September – 6 October 2019

BENVIE

This magnificent garden with its park-like setting was the brainchild

of John Geekie – a man who loved trees. He came out from Dundee,

Scotland, to South Africa in 1856. He bought the property in 1883

with the express intention of creating an arboretum and spent the

rest of his life realising his dream. Conifers, cedars, Ginkgo biloba,

magnolias, grass trees, hydrangeas, azaleas and rhododendrons

were amongst the trees and shrubs planted in this 30-hectare

garden.

Saturday 21 September – Tuesday 24 September

BRACO

Braco’s garden was created in 1905 by the young bride Camilla

Shaw. It has magnificent views of the Karkloof natural bush and

the Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall. In 1974, Yvonne Shaw came to Braco

and over the years planted the thousands of azalea and hydrangea

bushes, grouped in beds under magnificent old gum, yellowwood

and blackwood trees. In winter the 400 camellia trees bloom, and in

the spring it is the clivias’ turn.

Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 September

THE LODGE @ CURRY’S POST

This garden has the look and feel of an old English garden. The

historic lodge is built around a quadrangle, enlivened by many pots

and in which a beautiful water feature holds sway. The gardens are

sloping and the stone terraces are filled with shrubs, annuals and

perennials. Walkways look across the garden, with its large swathes of

lawn and wonderful old trees, towards the fields that are home to the

grazing cattle. A flower-fringed dam is to the one side of the lodge

and provides a colourful but tranquil focal point.

Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 September

BAYNESFIELD MUSEUM GARDENS

Open Gardens

This magnificent house, now a national monument, dates back to

1882, when Joseph Baynes and his second wife, Sarah, moved into

their newly completed home. Joseph was determined to beautify

his property right from the start. Abundant planting, paths and

sweeping lawns were laid out, but trees were his love. To name but

a few he planted a tulip tree, Outeniqua yellowwood and a black

stinkwood, which is the only seed-bearing tree in the province.

He imported his trees from all over the world and was particularly

interested in growing yellowwoods, which were indigenous to the

area. Enter the property through the great avenue of London planes

and prepare to be enchanted.

Enquiries: [email protected]

For more info on these gardens, get the Open Gardens of South Africa magazine on

sale from the 12 August.

WESTERN CAPE

McGregor Magic Garden Festival

Saturday 21 – Monday 23 September

Amid indigenous semi-Karoo veld a heritage village was founded,

thanks to rain feeding a lei water system from surrounding

mountains. In seasonal splendour the vegetation springs to life

and forms the setting of the new McGregor Magic Garden Festival,

where plants put on the show.

Over 30 private gardens are open to view, including community

gardens, but this event takes you beyond the garden gates with

expert talks, guided walks, workshops, music and performance.