Rotary Anns seek glorious gardens

Growing up in Benoni, Bronwyn Engelbrecht would marvel at the magnificent gardens on show during the annual Rotary Anns of Benoni van Ryn’s Beautiful Gardens of Benoni.

Walking hand in hand with her father and mother, the Farrarmere resident would listen intently when her parents named the various plants while passionately discussing their origin and optimal care.

Back within the confines of their property, Bronwyn’s love for gardening grew as she toiled over freshly planted seedlings.

In celebration of the 23rd gardens tour, which takes place on January 25 and 26, this green-thumbed beauty will open up her garden to visitors.

“I spent three months meticulously planning and landscaping the garden using all the knowledge bestowed on me by my dad and granny,” she said, gently brushing her palms over bursting blooms.

“Gardening is deeply personal to me. Digging my fingers into the soil, breaking clumps and tending to the plants is therapeutic. As the dirt collects under your nails, the worries and burdens of life cascade from your shoulders, and the earthy scent reinvigorates your soul.”

Armed with a shiny desert spoon, Bronwyn laughs when she tells of her partner’s horror at first witnessing her use the utensil to garden with.

“Despite the wide range of sophisticated gardening implements, none measures up to a spoon. It scoops out the perfectly sized hole for seedlings. When I head into the garden, I discreetly stow it in my pocket and hastily pop it into the dishwasher after. Habits passed down from generation to generation are hard to break,” she said.

Pointing at the various feature beds, Bronwyn says a garden grows best when it has a story to tell.

“My garden encapsulates my childhood and memories shared between my partner and me,” she said.

“I have a bed dedicated to my mother featuring wild olive trees. My mother’s name was Olive, so this is a living memorial in her honour.

“We love the Kalahari and Karoo, so the bed bordering our bedrooms is adorned with various succulents and pebbles to depict the places in our country where we lost our hearts in the arid sands.”

Nestled in a quaint corner under a pergola sheltered with grape vines stands a wrought iron table for two.

“This is known as Buck’s Corner and is dedicated to my dad. He loved grape vines,” she said.

“It is difficult to categorise my garden oasis, but to me, it has heart. Each plant was selected to tell a story of people, places and things we love.”

With plans for the upcoming gardens tour in full swing, the Anns appeal to Benoni homeowners to volunteer their properties for the club’s annual fundraiser, which has become one of the city’s most well-attended calendar events.

Big or small, rustic or professionally landscaped, gardens of all shapes and sizes are welcome.

“We are looking for four gardens for the tour and a larger property which could serve as the tea garden,” said Rhoda Toker, a member of the organising committee.

“Gardens are volunteered freely for this two-day event, while the club manages visitor entry.

Call Maria Pinho on 082 390 8606 or Rhoda on 082 452 7795 for more information.

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