ELGIN GARDENS
THOSE of us who garden have always suspected that gardening was good for us. Now we know for sure. Numerous scientific tests world-wide have proved that dead heading the roses and getting one’s hands muddy in the herbaceous border can lower blood pressure, increase brain activity and give one that much prized ‘feel-good feeling’.
Furthermore a study in the Netherlands showed that every 10% increase in exposure to green space translated into an improvement in health equivalent to being five years younger, with similar benefits found by studies in Canada and Japan. With all this in mind we should welcome the Open Garden season with joy and enthusiasm!
Open Gardens worldwide provide a marvellous opportunity for everyone interested in gardening to share other people’s dreams and often take home new ideas. According to Alan Titchmarsh, the English gardener, “there is nothing like going around other people’s gardens to provide you with inspiration for your own”.
This year in Elgin there are 20 gardens opening their gates to raise money for charity. Together these 20 gardens showcase a comprehensive range of plants to suit all types of gardens and gardeners.
Elgin is predominantly a fruit-growing area and is very dependent on the Cape Mediterranean climate’s cool winter rains to provide sustenance for the masses of glorious spring blossom. Although most other places in the Cape have had a dry winter, here in Elgin we have had plenty of rain. This year the rains were late and gentle and the blossom prolific. The lack of destructive winter gales meant the bees could do their crucial work. With a little bit of luck, by this weekend, this Saturday and Sunday and November 5 and 6, there will still be some blossoms in the orchards.
The variety of gardens in this relatively small area is quite extraordinary. Some gardens are on rich loam over rock-hard clay, others on sand with natural streams running through them; some have rock to deal with and difficult terrain where the compromise has to be made between the view and exposure and wind. There are large country gardens and small cottage gardens. Some have large formal beds, others informal, natural and rambling ones. Some have large mature trees and the problems associated with them, others are young and have plenty of sun.
There are gardens supplying nurseries; plantsmen’s gardens; gardens attached to wine estates where the philosophy of the wine spills over into the garden; gardens where everything is grown on site. There are gardens with plant sales and gardens featuring artwork in all its garden-friendly forms.
There are old friends who are returning such as Arno Reuvers who had a dream that he would open a coffee shop on his farm Heideland. He returns opening a specialty coffee shop, Rojaal opposite the Valley Green Farm gate.
Four years after a devastating fire decimated their farmhouse at Dennegeur the Beukes family have reopened. Although the magnificent cycads survived the fire many of the roses had to be replaced. Mrs Beukes assures us that they are performing even better than before! So once again picnickers are welcome to spread their rugs.
If you are interested in birds and birding and unusual indigenous and exotic plants do not miss Keurbos Nursery Garden on Restanwold Farm. There is a bird hide built on the dam and a heronry where one can easily spot breeding Reed Cormorants and African Darters.
Keurbos is also a special place to view, and buy interesting and unusual Japanese maples, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas and heritage roses. Don’t miss the new large bed behind the nursery showcasing a fascinating collection of maples and rhododendrons. Remember Mirabel Osler’s words: “Visiting other people’s gardens is as crucial to gardening as feeding the plants or deadheading a rose.”
www.elginopengardens.co.za