Harcourts Open Midlands Gardens 2022 – Karkloof & Curry’s Post
We are delighted to invite you to a new season of Harcourts Open Midlands Gardens – this year entitled Town and Country as the gardens can be found in Pietermaritzburg, Hilton, Howick and as far as Balgowan, Kamberg, Karkloof and Curry’s Post, Lidgetton and three lovely gardens in the Richmond area.
Times: 09:00 – 17:00
Entrance: Charities will benefit from R10 per garden
Enquiries: Jackie on 082 924 5892, jackie@otterley.com
Braco
Friday 2 – Sunday 4 September, Friday 16 – Sunday 18 September
Braco’s garden was created in 1905 by the young bride Camilla Shaw. It has a magnificent setting with views of the Karkloof Natural Bush and Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall. In 1975, Yvonne Shaw came to Braco and over the years planted the thousands of hydrangea and azalea bushes, grouped in beds under magnificent old gum, yellowwood and blackwood trees. In winter the 400 camellia trees bloom, and in early spring it is the turn of the clivia.
- Directions: Travel out along the Karkloof Road for 24km. The farm is clearly signposted on the left.
- Entrance: R50
Dogs allowed | Food and drink | Picnic spot
Benvie
24 September – 16 October
John and Jenny Robinson This magnificent garden with its park-like setting was the brainchild of John Geekie – a man who loved trees. He came out from Dundee, Scotland, to South Africa in 1856 and he bought the property in 1883, with the express intention of creating an arboretum. He spent the rest of his life realising his dream. Seedlings were brought by ship from all over the world, transported from Durban to Merrivale by train and finally taken to Benvie by ox-wagon. Conifers, cedars, gingko, magnolias, grass trees, hydrangeas, azaleas and rhododendrons were amongst the trees and shrubs planted in this 30-hectare garden. They are still lovingly cared for by his family, some 136 years later. Bring a picnic basket and spend some time in this beautiful garden, and do not forget your binoculars if you are a birder.
- Directions: From Howick take the Karkloof Road past the Ambers. Drive for 33km from Howick (21km on tar) and turn right onto the York/Hanover Road. Travel a further 3km down the hill and you will find a Benvie sign on your left.
- Entrance: R50 per adult, R30 for pensioners on Thursdays only, children free
Plant sales | Picnic spots
Waterford Hall
Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November
Eileen Stuart Comfortably nestled on the side of a hill is Waterford Hall, itself an intriguing home looking out on a borrowed vista of trees and water. This sets the tone for the beautifully planted garden around the house. Entrance is via a dual stairway, flanked on either side by roses and old-fashioned perennials. The path leads to the Chinese Pavilion, always a favourite, and onto the white garden at the rear of the house. Here a combination of white flowers and roses, leading to a domed gazebo, is an additional delight.
- Directions: Travel along the main road through Howick and take the Karkloof Road past the Amber Valley/Amber Ridge entrances. After passing a large dam on the left, take the next road left. Waterford Hall is sign posted.
Food and drink
Midlands Fables
Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November
The Fable Garden is a landscape for the playfully minded, designed to draw people in to explore and interact. It is filled with a variety of fruit trees, flower gardens, tunnels and arches, strawberry picking boxes and a kids play area with a slide. It encourages you to use taste, touch, smell, sound and sight to interact with nature, discovering as you go.
Directions: From Pietermaritzburg take the Lion’s River turn off and go right under the bridge and up the dirt road. At the T- junction go left onto Curry’s Post Road. Go about 7km and we are on the left. There is signage at the entrance.
- Bookings essential
Food and drink