Garden Day (October 17) is the perfect time for plant parents to come together, to relish in a love for greenery, and snap a few gorgeous shots while you’re appreciating the art of the green.
Thanks to Candide, the app that every garden and photography lover must have, we’ve put together a little guide to the most ‘Instagrammable’ spots to explore in the Western Cape.
So call up your green-thumbed pals, curate a picnic, pop on a flower crown like it’s 2016 and get to romanticising your life – and love of lush.
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Picture spot check-in: Roses galore in all shades of colours
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You will be forgiven for not knowing that there is a historic farm in the Cape Town southern suburb of Wynberg. But this farm-style retreat is a little gem of over 12 hectares with an abundance of all things pretty – the prettiest of all being the famous rose garden, which is undoubtedly the main attraction for social media butterflies. Here you will find over 500 rose bushes, some dating back to the 1900s and the newer ones having been planted two years ago. Stop and smell the roses, including their Double Delight, Esther Geldenhuys, Blue Moon, Garden Princess, Garden Queen, Johannesburg Sun and Duftwolke varieties and soak in the sunshine.
Location: 1A Klaasens Rd, Wynberg, Cape Town
The Boomslang: Kirstenbosch Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway
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Picture spot check in: Boomslang walkway
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One of the star attractions in the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, set against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain, is the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, a curved steel and timber bridge inspired by a snake skeleton (which is why it’s often called the Boomslang after the agile green snake). It winds through and over the trees of the Arboretum and is a spectacular walk, both in terms of views and being one with nature.
Location: Rhodes Dr, Newlands, Cape Town
www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch
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Picture spot check-in: Shoulder to shoulder with the Holderstebolder.
Insta-worthy wealth – reasons to visit:
When you pull out your camera, head to the Holderstebolder boulder man, another creation by sculptor Angus Taylor. The “interactive anti-monument” can be found in the play area of the Norval Foundation Museum in Steenberg, Cape Town. The catapulting figure – buttocks in the air, arms and legs stretched out – looks like he is about to roll down the hill. The rest of the gardens are also incredibly Insta-worthy!
Location: 4 Steenberg Rd, Steenberg Estate, Cape Town
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Picture spot : Bamboozling bamboo.
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Stellenbosch is home to some of the most beautifully curated gardens that will have you marvelling at everything green from bonsai to bamboo. Although not native to this country, the prominent ‘giant’ bamboo at this botanical garden has been accepted as a naturalised species, since its introduction into South Africa during the 1600s. Follow the Bamboo Trail for great shots and don’t miss out on a pic with the giant water lilies and redwood trees.
Neethling St & Van Riebeeck St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch
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Selfie spot: The sculptures.
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Yin and yang. Wild and tamed. One of the attractions of the Sculpture Garden is the mix of over 60 sculptures, organic, natural gardens with a focus on indigenous species, particularly fynbos, the influence of Japanese gardens, water and a rugged mountain backdrop. There are so many spots along the 4km of paths to stop, admire and capture that we recommend you carve out a good part of your day to spend here and enjoy. Please note that visits to the garden are by appointment only. A privately guided tour can be arranged with advance booking and is highly recommended.
Location: Paradyskloof Rd, Paradyskloof, Stellenbosch
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Picture spot check-in: The chapel
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There are many reasons to visit Bosjes and the magnificent chapel, an architectural masterpiece, is certainly one of them. Add to that the magnificent landscaped gardens around the chapel and the masses of flowers in the surrounding fields, and you will never run out of photo ops. You’ll find this perfect hideaway at the foot of the Waaihoek Mountain.
Location: R43, Worcester
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Picture spot check-in: Prickly pear maze.
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Channel your inner Frida Kahlo at the prickly pear maze and followers may be led to believe you’re in Mexico or somewhere in Central America, instead of at an old Cape Dutch farm, in the Franschhoek wine valley. The maze provides an abundant web of striking cacti backdrops and apart from the prickly pears in the maze, there are 11 varieties of Opuntia ficus-indica (it’s scientific name) growing on the farm for you to spot and capture.
Location: Klapmuts – Simondium Road, Simondium
A visit to any of these locations will make sure that you celebrate Garden Day accordingly. To let Garden day see your pics, tag them @gardenday or use the #gardenday.
Picture: Instagram/ @sasha.boston