Hogsback Open Gardens 2026

Spring in Hogsback will once again bring gardens, woodland paths, roses, azaleas and mountain scenery to the fore with Hogsback Open Gardens 2026.

This annual event gives visitors the opportunity to explore 12 private and community gardens across Hogsback, each with its own character, planting style and landscape. From established heritage gardens and informal flowerbeds to Japanese-inspired spaces, vegetable gardens and indigenous forest settings, the programme offers a varied look at gardening in this mountain village.

Dates:

The gardens will be open over three weekends:

• Friday 16 October to Sunday 18 October 2026
• Friday 23 October to Sunday 25 October 2026
• Friday 13 November to Sunday 15 November 2026

The first two weekends, from 16 to 25 October, form the Azalea Splendour, while the November weekend, from 13 to 15 November, is dedicated to Magical Roses. Gardens are open from Friday to Sunday only and visits are self-guided.

THE ARBORETUM

The Hogsback Arboretum is the village’s Community Garden of Love and is free to visit throughout the year.

Generations of Hogsback gardeners have planted trees and ornamental plants here, creating a public park that also includes a striking 39-step waterfall. Visitors can walk through the rainforest bordering the park, while proceeds from Open Gardens ticket sales help with the Arboretum’s maintenance.

THE EDGE

Created by Peter Colyvas and Wouter Jordaan, The Edge Mountain Retreat Garden sits among cliffs, indigenous Afromontane rainforest and dramatic natural scenery.

The large and varied garden features carefully planted pockets of flowers alongside a circular path, with a labyrinth forming one of its central attractions. The neighbouring bluff walk provides views of “the edge”.

The garden is level and easy to navigate.

BADENOCH

Peter and Hayley Mcloughlin’s garden offers a natural, established setting filled with azaleas and rhododendrons beneath large trees.

A tranquil pond and stream run through the lower part of the property, while the surrounding landscape offers another opportunity to experience Hogsback’s natural environment. Visitors may even be fortunate enough to see Cape parrots.

Some areas are steep, although the garden is described as easy to navigate.

FURTHER BEYOND

Over four years, Pieter and Christel Rodger have carefully refined and expanded Further Beyond

Established azaleas and mature trees are complemented by mixed planting beds and an abundance of roses. The beds flow through the garden against a backdrop of forest and mountain scenery, creating a richly layered landscape.

The property is flat and easy to navigate.

AUTUMN RUSH

Located at the entrance to the village, Trevor and Pam Rossouw’s Autumn Rush is set on a flat, open property.

It is a working vegetable garden with a small olive grove, informal flowerbeds and areas of wild grassland. Numerous pathways wind through the trees and around the property, making it an accessible garden to explore.

ST PATRICK’S CHAPEL GARDEN

The garden surrounding the much-loved little chapel in Hogsback is cared for by Carol Nieth, Garden Guardian.

Visitors can follow the Prayer Walk, which provides views of the surrounding area and a glimpse into the chapel itself. The setting combines the distinctive chapel building with a peaceful garden landscape.

The garden has level areas and gentle slopes.

LITTLE TIMBERS

The home of Helen and Tony Chappel, Little Timbers is an extensive heritage garden with a distinctly English country character.

Visitors will encounter a large pond filled with water lilies, swathes of irises, ornamental trees and colourful displays of roses, azaleas and rhododendrons. Walking routes continue around the property and provide access to an area of indigenous forest.

Parking is at St Patrick’s Church. The property is large and can be quite steep in places.

SHALOM

Shalom is open during November only, making it one to include during the Magical Roses weekend.

Created by Lynda and Jan Delport on a greenfield site, this country garden overlooks the mountains from its position on the bluff. It incorporates different gardening styles, ranging from formal planting to grassland landscapes.

Roses provide an important feature, while mosaic artworks create focal points throughout the garden.

The property is easy to navigate.

THE HOGSBACK BONSAI GARDEN

Mark and Candy Schenk’s Hogsback Bonsai Garden combines a nursery with a Japanese-inspired garden experience.

Visitors can see Japanese maples, azaleas, junipers, Chinese elms, roses, wisteria and other plants. A short walk through the gardens ends at a tranquil Japanese dry rock garden.

Plants, including azalea and maple seedlings, are also available to purchase.

The garden is easy to navigate.

BRAMBER

The home of Eric and Gloria Robinson, Bramber is a rejuvenated older garden framed by mature trees and open spaces.

A gently sloping walking path leads towards views of the Hogsback mountains, along with a protea terrace and rose garden. The unusual house and surrounding planting contribute to the property’s distinctive character.

The garden has gentle slopes and is easy to navigate.

MISTLEA

Dave and Jane Pledger’s Mistlea is a heritage garden featuring ancient trees, Japanese maples, colourful azaleas and romantic water features.

Terraced forest walks add another dimension to the garden, while roses provide colour and fragrance during their flowering period. Some sections are sloped.

The Azalea Nursery is open from 09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:00.

HURRY

The garden of Dave and Alba Bilsbury is a large heritage property filled with mature exotic trees, ornamental plants, deciduous azaleas and rhododendrons.

Wide grassy pathways take visitors through the garden towards a pond, while gentle slopes and established planting provide several areas in which to spend time enjoying the surroundings.