Elgin’s not only about those apples

The gardens of this deciduously rich corner of the Western Cape are in glorious colour

2013-10-26 -

THE ELGIN Valley is one of the most beautiful places to visit at this time of the year. The long, cool winter and superb rains have given gardens a huge boost. Most gardens are a few weeks behind in their normal flowering schedule, which means that a host of spring-flowering plants can also be seen in the gardens this year, in addition to the roses which are now blooming along the wire fences of the apple orchards.

Over two weekends next month (November 2-3 and 9-10), 21 gardens will be opened in the Elgin, Bot River and Vyeboom areas to the public to raise funds for a host of schools, churches, environmental organisations and charities.

A list of art galleries, lodges and farmstalls also offer great places for afternoon tea or a weekend retreat.

A highlight of the weekend is a visit to Auldearn, a garden on an apple farm established by Cape gardening authority Jenny Simpson.

A highly knowledgeable horticulturalist with a passion for plants, Simpson has created a garden with walks and ponds in coordinated colours – all of which have panoramic views over the Kogelberg Biosphere.

The Western Cape’s king of perennials, Duncan Henderson, has created a multifaceted garden which includes a grass garden beside a water feature, a formal rose garden, woodland garden, parterre garden, and terrace with swimming pool.

Alongside the garden is a nursery which specialises in lavenders, grasses and perennials.

For rose enthusiasts, a highlight of the weekend will be a visit to Fresh Woods, a rambling, romantic plant collector’s woodland garden with an extraordinary collection of heritage and species roses.

Developed by Peter and Barbara Knox-Shaw, Fresh Woods also features Japanese maples, rhododendrons and deutzias, as well as unusual perennials and bulbs. ponds, streams, flowering cherries and roses. R15. Teas. Plant sales.

● Belfield, Viljoenshoop Rd, Elgin: Old, informal leafy garden interplanted with indigenous flora. R10. Wine tasting, sales.

● Fairholme, Viljoenshoop Rd, Elgin: Duncan and Liz Henderson’s garden includes formal gardens, pergolas, terraces, woodland, rose and grass gardens. R20. Plant sales.

● Lavenham, Viljoenshoop Rd, Elgin: Thatched cottage in a

Antique and old-world rose enthusiasts should head for the Keurbos Nursery Garden to see an avenue of climbing roses, developed by Jessie Walton.

This is a list of the gardens open next weekend:

● Palmiet River, Main Rd, Grabouw: See a magnificent terraced garden with heritage roses, herb and kitchen gardens, rose and lily walk, woodland. Entry R20. Teas.

● Oak Valley Flowers, Elgin: The largest producer of cut flowers in the Western Cape. Tours leave at 10am and 2pm on open days. R50 pp, pre-booking essential. www.oakvalley.co.za

● Fresh Woods, off N2, Elgin: Award-winning woodland garden with a major collection of heritage and species roses, Japanese maples, deutzias, hydrangeas, woodland plants and much more. R20. Teas. Plant sales.

● Auldearn, Highlands Rd, Elgin: Colour co-ordinated garden with a mix of indigenous and exotic. Two woodland garden with lawns, roses, herbaceous borders. R10. Art exhibition.

● Heideland, Viljoenshoop Rd, Elgin: Rose garden with groundcovers, companion plants and alstroemarias among the apple orchards. R15.

● Almenkerk Wine Estate, Viljoenshoop Rd, Elgin: Newly landscaped garden on a steep slope, with massed indigenous plantings. Free entry. Walking trails, wine tasting and sales.

● Keurbos Nursery Garden, Restanwold Farm, Highlands Rd, Elgin: Informal bird-centred garden with exciting indigenous plants, blended in with acers and azaleas, heritage roses and vireya rhododendrons. R15. Teas, light lunches. Plant sales.

● Kromme Rivier, Elgin: A large, colourful, park-like garden spread around old farm buildings and three dwellings, with horse paddocks and a lake. Picnickers welcome. Entry R10.

● Lorraine Farm, 78 Highlands Road: An organically managed garden on a certified organic farm with waterfalls, a stream, a pond and ferns. R10. Organic farm produce on sale.

● Iona, Highlands Rd, Elgin: Herbert Baker homestead with a working vegetable garden and rose garden. Free entry. Pre-book for lunch. www.iona.co.za

● Heaven Scent Nursery Garden, Valley Rd, Elgin: Working cutflower garden on mountain slope. R5. Plant and posy sales.

● South Hill, Valley Rd, Elgin: Contemporary landscaped indigenous sculpture garden. Free entry. Wine tasting, garden lunches and teas, art, deli.

● Wildekrans Country House, Houw Hoek: Rambling country garden of historic homestead in dramatic mountain setting. Free entry. Teas, lunches, wine tasting and sales, fynbos and art trail.

● Houw Hoek Outspan, Houw Hoek: A colourful nurseryman’s garden with greenhouses open for viewing. Entry R10. Teas, plant sales.

● Beaumont Wines, Bot River: A charming garden between a dam and a historic Cape Dutch homestead, known as Compagnes Drift, and cellar. Free entry. Lunches. Wine tasting.

● Basterskloof, Van der Stel Pass, Bot Rivier: Established country garden with rolling lawns, borders, shrubberies and many indigenous trees. Entry R10.

● Boesmansrug, Graymead Rd, Vyeboom: Rose garden, secret garden, herb garden, pastures, majestic oaks. R10. Teas. Plant sales.

Visit Elgin Open Gardens next Saturday and Sunday and November 9-10. 10am-5pm. A free map and pamphlet to the gardens is available from garden centres or online at www.elginopengardens.co.za

Contact Barbara on 021 844 0154/078 021 2101, or Jessie on 083 458 3790.