Noordhoek Open Gardens is an annual event that allows locals to stroll through gardens in private homes. Here is an overview of some of the beautiful gardens visited by the Cape {town} Etc team this past weekend.
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Running over the weekend of the 22 and 23 of October, the 8th annual Open Gardens showcased 19 gardens, each with its own character and unique charm. From water-conserving eco gardens to bonsai tending demonstrations, the weekend offered beautiful sights, fragrances and inspiration.
Ingrid and Thomas’s garden
Ingrid and Thomas’s garden is 19 years old and is planted with indigenous plants and a selection of protea bushes. The garden wraps around the house and your eyes are drawn down to the horse paddocks and the magnificent panoramic views of Noordhoek and beyond. This year Ingrid was inspired by Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree and created a fairy garden. She even decorated their Ficus tree with disco balls, pixie figurines and lanterns.
Samantha and Andrew’s Garden
Samantha and Andrew’s garden is a horticulturalists dream. One of its main features is a tranquil dam topped with lily pads and a bridge leading to a little island. There are tropical, succulent and herbaceous garden beds and clivia breeding shade houses. One of the perks of adding this garden to the day’s itinerary is a fascinating talk by Andrew about propagating clivias and cross-breeding hybrids. Many varieties of succulents, clivias and proteas were for sale.
Kathy and Gavin’s Garden
Kathy and Gavin’s rambling, shade-loving garden along the De Goede Hoop stream is a well-known location in Noordhoek. Lovingly cultivated for 27 years, this garden is home to over 100 trees, and exotic and indigenous shrubs and bulbs. Whether you start or end with it, Gavin’s spectacular bonsai collection is an essential stop on this garden visit. With over 100 bonsais, fifty of them form his core collection. Gavin will not sell these for any price because of the effort and sentiment that has gone into growing, shaping and caring for them.
Alison and Ryan’s Garden
The last visit of the day was Alison and Ryan’s garden featuring a large lawn, eco-pool, fire pit and views of Chapman’s Peak. The back garden was redeveloped last year with meandering pathways, aloes and a morning coffee corner. The garden was created and is maintained by the family’s beloved Gran and it contains mostly indigenous plants.
Cape {town} Etc is already looking forward to Noordhoek’s 9th annual Open Gardens in 2023!
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