Armand Rossouw isn’t just your average go-to green-thumb guy. He believes that, just like a well-tended garden, all good things sprout from a mix of growth and love.
Armand Rossouw’s passion for plants started when he was just a little boy, thanks to his stepdad. The duo would spend weekends exploring nurseries and nurturing their garden. To say little Armand Rossouw was mesmerised by the pretty flowers and the magic of growth is putting it mildly.
Despite many years in the corporate world, his passion for landscaping only grew stronger and deeper. Pun intended! He dabbled in landscaping projects here and there, until 2019 when he took the leap and opened his own business, Sethunya Gardens, now based in Centurion. By the way, Sethunya is a Setswana word that means to bloom or to grow.
The landscaping company does a little of everything … from garden layouts, irrigation, and plant supply to composting, pest control, ponds and custom pots – Armand’s personal fave. They also handle all kinds of hardscaping tasks. Long story short, they can make any green dream a reality.
What makes this business bloom though, is Armand’s absolute love for people. Not only does he really enjoy listening to his clients, but he loves diving deep into their world of ideas, colours, decor, and passions to create their perfect space.
“If there’s one thing that tops my passion for landscaping, it would be my passion for people. I just love people. And quite frankly, there’s nothing better than putting a smile on someone’s face. And it’s a bonus when I get to do just that through my work.”
Despite being the boss, Armand isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. On any given day, you’ll most likely find him somewhere in the garden with his sleeves rolled up. Simply because he believes you can’t ask someone to do a job you wouldn’t do yourself. His personal style? Perfectionism. “Everything must be up to standard, no matter what,” he admits.
For this landscape enthusiast, no garden is complete without love. And, his recipe for success is simple. Passion, people skills, and a hefty dose of creativity. Add a pair of pruning shears, confidence and respect, and you’ve got yourself a signature Sethunya garden.
“My absolute favourite part of the job has to be the beaming smiles and gratitude from clients when they see their transformed gardens. And the ultimate personal satisfaction when comparing those before-and-after shots.”
If Armand were a plant, he’d be a Cycas Revoluta (aka Sago Palm). His wife, Bernadine, says it’s because he stretches himself beyond his limits to help others, offering protection and support like a Cycas giving shade.
In essence, building gardens is more than a job for Armand. It’s about forming long-lasting relationships. He just loves revisiting old clients and cherishes the friendships he’s grown along the way. Known for his big heart, this landscaper always has room for more, “just like a South African taxi”, he adds.
“I just love laughing with people. And I make a point of it, not to take anyone, or life too seriously. My life motto is, do your best, and God will do the rest. My faith is my biggest motivation.”
Outside of his business, Armand enjoys the great outdoors with his friends and family. And, what better way to bring a family together than with a delish meal? A foodie at heart, you’ll always find him cooking and experimenting with new recipes. It also comes as no surprise that he finds his inspiration in nature. While he’s out, he enjoys flyfishing from time to time and as a gun enthusiast, he loves spending time on the range when possible.
So, if you’re looking for someone who grows gardens with the same love he shows to people, Armand is your go-to. With a heart as green as his thumb, he makes every garden, and every person bloom.
Visit sethunyagardens.co.za or @Sethunya Gardens on Facebook.
Spring gardening tips
After a long, cold winter, we’re all itching to get back into the garden. For some, this can be a daunting task. But before you break out your gardening tools, make sure you plan your Spring tasks carefully. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some tips from a pro.
• Determine which percentage of your property is full of sun, semi-shade and full shade before choosing your Spring flowers. It’s more than just seeing pretty flowers at the nursery and taking them home. If you’re not sure where to plant them, you’ll run the risk of ending up with dead plants a week or two in. I also believe in supporting local nurseries as they will stock what is in season and asking their staff what to plant in sun or shade.
• I love colour in the garden and I do believe you need to keep between 10 percent and 15 percent of the garden for annual flowers. Just to keep it bright and interesting.
• Spring is a fun time in the garden. So, make sure that your irrigations systems are serviced and that your rain water harvesting systems and gutters are cleaned. Just so you don’t have issues when the first rains come.
• It’s also time to start composting your beds, mulching, getting rid of weeds, and also giving some attention to the lawn.
• Now’s the time to start cutting away dead branches, twigs and plants which suffered in the cold Winter snaps. Some areas are starting to warm up but if you still have very cold mornings, I would suggest you leave your frost covers on for just a while longer.
• Gardening is fun and you don’t get a beautiful garden overnight. It’s a process. Much love, care and attention go into a garden to keep it beautiful.
