BLOG
What to expect at this year’s Franschhoek Open Gardens
- 10 spectacular gardens on show during the weekend of 31 October to 2 November 2014 – from small and medium-‐sized gardens in the village to farm gardens and indigenous gardens. For the first time, La Motte’s private rose gardens will be on display.
- Join the festivities in the center of town – a tea and bubbly garden, live music, a fresh goods market and our annual Plant Sale.
- R100 pp for a weekend pass. Tickets available in the center of town in front of the Town Hall, or at Montpellier or La Motte on the day.
- A “Group discount” for 10 people or more apply at R80 pp.
- Pot Gardening Competition – 20 pots planted by enthusiastic gardeners from surrounding townships will be displayed near the Plant Sale area.
- Local merchants are in the spirit with a “Bloom the High Street” initiative.
- Special weekend rates offered by a number of Guest Houses and B&B’s – contact Leandre at 021-‐876-‐2861 or office@franschhoek.org.za for details.
- All proceeds go to the Lions Club of Franschhoek in aid of Fleur de Lis, Home for the Aged.
La Motte Rose Garden
The following gardens will be on display:
Montpellier, Jacqueline Crewe-‐Brown
Upper Waterfall, Franschhoek (Turn off at Bridge House School)
An artist’s interpretation, using indigenous plant material on rocky, inhospitable soil and a sloping mountain as backdrop. She has expanded her canvas to include a lovely walk across the stream up to the main garden. There is a new stone pathway to a beautiful viewpoint and interesting aloe plantings. Many of the paths are fairly steep in places. Featured in The Gardener/Die Tuinier, SA Garden/Tuin Paleis, Garden & Home and House & Garden magazines. Most recently, Montpellier is one of the 25 gardens included in Keith Kirsten’s coffee table book “Gardens That Inspire”.
La Motte -‐ On the R45 just outside the village
Enjoy the splendor of an old-‐fashioned rose garden amongst the romantic ambience of La Motte’s historic buildings. Participating in the festival for the first time, La Motte invites visitors into its private and abundant rose garden including the namesake of La Motte’s owner, the Hanneli Rupert rose. Planted in a classic and formal style, the rose garden with its fountain and pathways is surrounded by indigenous shrubberies and traditional fruit trees supplying Pierneef a’ La Motte restaurant.
3 Haumann Streeet -‐ Aliki Starke
A shady tree-‐lined entrance leads the eye to a most interesting blue and white ceramic water feature. The garden is strikingly laid out with mixed flower beds and secret corners. A pretty patio with a tinkling fountain invites one to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility.
Artemis House -‐ 37 Uitkyk Street
A delightful wild, indigenous garden with an interesting labyrinth in a natural landscape. Beautiful ponds, vibrant colours, sculptures and unique features that have an element of surprise, as does the kitchen garden.
Garden House, 29 De Wet Street -‐ Annette Phillips
Pretty terraced Victorian garden with views over the tree tops to distant mountains. A giant camphor tree shades a small paved area. The terraces are filled with plantings in shades of pink and white.
3 Anne Marie Avenue -‐ Barbara and John Gardner
A beautifully laid out garden divided into charming areas of interesting and varied plantings, inviting you to sit and admire the pictures framed by arches, shrubs and flower-‐filled beds. Look out for the many colourfully planted pots and hanging baskets which are a special feature of this outstanding town garden.
36 Cabriere Street -‐ Carl and Sonia Atkinson
This park-‐like garden features magnificent old trees. Enjoy dappled light, from deeply shaded to sunlit open areas hosting many different plantings. There’s a secret garden and cool water feature. Don’t miss the very special herb area and follow the rose-‐covered wrought iron walkway.
Kleinhof, 33 van Wijk Street -‐ Jacques Botha
In the heart of the village, step into another world as you walk through rose covered arbours and past delightful herbaceous borders into the potager garden which surrounds a fountain. Featured in The Gardener/DieTuinier and Garden & Home Magazines.
Bergsig, Green Valley Road off Excelsior Road -‐ Martina de Necker
This large farm garden with established flower beds and majestic old trees is lovingly tended by the owner. It’s full of colour, shady nooks and interesting garden accessories.
La Brie, Robertsvlei Road -‐ Jane Landau
A beautiful and historic place built between 1689 – 1789. This old Cape Dutch is surrounded by shady oaks and wide borders filled with roses and interesting plantings. Rose covered archways lead you to the potager garden supplying all manner of fruit and vegetables. Don’t miss the view over the serene lily-‐covered lake. For an extra R20 pp enjoy tea and scones in a lovely shaded corner of the garden.
https://franschhoek.org.za/uploads/files/Open_Gardens_page_1.jpg
For more information contact opengardens@icloud.com
Related Posts