The much-loved Kloof Conservancy Indigenous Open Gardens aims to showcase glorious gardenscapes and inspire homeowners to grow local.
This year’s Kloof Conservancy Indigenous Open Gardens is set to showcase seven lovely local gardens offering much more than just colourful displays. The show will feature some new gardens – where owners have invested heavily in creating exciting gardens that blend into the natural surrounds – as well as a crowd favourite – the garden of popular South African gardening celebrity Tanya Visser.
Aimed at inspiring visitors to plant more indigenous species, as well as raising funds for the conservancy’s environmental projects, the show will play host to environmental NGO’s, craftsmen, nurseries, plant experts and the popular Nature Facts Treasure Hunt.
For those who look forward to this popular annual event, here’s a glimpse of what’s in store at each of these extraordinary gardens.
Garden 1 – The home of Nathalie Massa and Malan Roux, 9 Jacaranda Hill, Meadow Lane, Kloof
For those who are sceptical about indigenous planting and colour, this garden has almost all the colours imaginable … and while it is gorgeous all year round, the summer season really highlights its true potential. Heavily influenced by landscaper Jenny Dean it provides a splash of amazing colours and a wide variety of plants.
Garden 2 – The home of Carolyn and George Victor, 3 Northern Avenue, Hillcrest
A more traditional grassland and plectranthus garden and a first time show participant. This garden is bound to draw attraction for its very practical indigenous planting as well as for its innovative use of materials, recycling and wise water use.
Garden 3 – The home of Tanya Visser and Izolda van der Merwe, The Potting Shed, 6 Controversy Drive, Assagay
This garden has been a regular feature in the show since 2019. It always presents a new face thanks to Tanya’s passion and tireless efforts to always have her garden in prime condition for the show. It has never featured in the Kloof Conservancy Indigenous Open Gardens as a late summer garden, so this is a really exciting one to see!
Garden 4 – The Wetlands, Stoneford Country Estate, Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill
A large environmentally important wetland area, this green space demonstrates wise land use and habitat protection in an upmarket development. Not only is the wetland of environmental importance but it also provides the residents with an important recreational facility where they can reconnect with nature.
Garden 5 – The home of Sandile Radebe, 500 Stoneford Country Estate, Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill
This garden will be on show for the very first time and offers visitors a glimpse on how to successfully blend a large home with all its necessary hard surfaces into an eye-pleasing palette. The garden has been recently landscaped and boasts style with simplicity and at the same time offers an indigenous haven for birds, insects and wildlife.
Garden 6 – The home of Alison and Paul Alcock, 497 Stoneford Country Estate, Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill
Another first timer, this is an extensive garden filled to the brim with indigenous species, and it blends into its surroundings with grace. The garden includes fascinating architectural features to accommodate a steep slope in one area where water is used to its maximum effect. A lovingly cared for indigenous grassland is also part of this property and can be visited as an integral component of this garden.
Garden 7 – The home of Helen Terblanche and Lesley Muller, 490 Stoneford Country Estate, Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill
The owner’s extensive knowledge of indigenous gardening has been brought to this relatively new garden that boasts a kaleidoscope of colours and plants to blend into the surroundings. It’s packed with different and exciting species adapted to survive in a tough environment, with a focus on minimal water use. This garden is on show for the first time and will no doubt surprise and delight visitors who will be impressed at what can be done in a relatively short period of time.
Gardens will be open from 9am to 4pm on March 25 and 26. Entry is R30 a person per garden for gardens one to three and R75 a person for gardens four to seven.
Details: [email protected] or follow them on Facebook: Kloof Conservancy
