Explore nature’s beauty at Open Gardens

KLOOF Rotary Anns will host its popular Open Gardens in the Kloof and Hillcrest areas on the weekend of the 8 and 9 October from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

According to Wendy Scorgie, secretary of Kloof Rotary Anns, there are six varied gardens ranging from a five acre property to small complex gardens. She said it is obvious this year that gardeners are becoming water conscious with three of the six gardens having substantial water tanks and more sections of once traditionally planted gardens are converting to indigenous plants.

“Once again we are privileged to have the use of Highbury Centenary Hall as the venue for our tea and saleable items relating to gardens – from books to gardening equipment and other items. We will also have six up-market cars displayed,” said Scorgie.

Tickets cost R60, children under 12 enter free. The ticket allows entrance to all six gardens and refreshments. Tickets are available at the entrance to each garden and also at Kloof Village Mall Super Spar and Watercrest Super Spar. Tickets purchased in advance will be sold at R50. All profits will go to Highway charities.

To arrive at the first garden from Durban on the M13, take Exit 28 marked Gillitts Old Main Rd Hillcrest. If approaching from the direction of Pietermaritzburg on the M13, it is marked Exit 28 with the same signage. Follow the signs to the gardens. Contact Wendy Scorgie on 083 661 7337 or visit www.rotarykloof.org.za

GARDENS

Garden one at 99a Jan Smuts Avenue in Winston Park is a level plot with a naturally evolved garden with no formal planning, but the owner has kept in mind form texture and colour. The clean lines of the beautifully manicured lawn forms a nice rhythm and flow for the beds which are attractively planted with shrubs, perennials and annuals. Old farm implements have been creatively used in a rockery at the end of the pool.

Garden two at 9 Polela Road in Hillcrest, once a flat plot, has been landscaped to incorporate elevated beds and banks. This is an indigenous garden which is only one year old. A large lawn is surrounded by innovative planted beds and a number of large pots have been woven into the design. The use of gravel paths throughout the garden ensure a neat appearance. Planters close to the kitchen door house herbs, salad vegetables, etc.

Garden three is at 7 Nqutu House, 11 Nqutu Road in Hillcrest. This medium sized established complex garden is a plant collector’s dream which has evolved over many years. It has been attractively designed to incorporate various “rooms”. The entrance, which forms an enclosed courtyard, has an Asian inspired corner with acer tree and attractive flat rocks and cascading water feature. The area is planted with perennials set in mondo grass. The main part of the garden has a large tumbling water feature, raised beds and stony paths meandering to secluded areas. Roses are aplenty. At the side of the property there is a raised bed which houses permanent plantings such as bromeliads, succulents, etc.

Garden four is at 7 Brampton, 30 Nqutu Road in Hillcrest. Excellent understanding of space and surroundings is obvious in this garden where a substantial water feature and plunge pool have been fitted into a relatively small space in this designer garden. This classic garden incorporates these features plus a formal rose garden complete with sundial. The topiary pyramids and arches also add to the formal aspect of the garden while the use of a mirrored wall at the side of the garden gives an illusion of more space.

Garden five is at 91 Everton Road in Kloof. The brief for the landscaper was to create a tranquil park-like effect in this large property. Paths meander through the garden where there is massed plantings and rolling lawns. A self-infiltrated pond has been established complete with a windmill and pump. On one of the lawns, neat raised planters have been installed full of vegetables. A rectangular bed has been laid out and under-planted with Mondo grass which supports lollipop clipped trees and the whole bed is surrounded with standard white iceberg roses. A focal point of the garden is an unusual checkered paved area with paves edged with clipped Sheena’s gold and planted up with vegetables, salad greens, etc.

Garden six at 24 Windsor Road in Kloof, is a neat indigenous garden which borders on the nature reserve where the natural grasses blend with the plantings of the garden. This is an elevated sloping plot and several levels have been created. These have been supported by the use of gabion baskets or log type fencing. Hedging and edging help create a more formal approach to the garden. Adjacent to the entertainment area is a long riverbed type water feature inter-planted with various indigenous species. This garden has been designed to be completely water-wise.