Port Alfred Open Gardens

Garden enthusiasts can look forward to Port Alfred Open Gardens 2026, taking place over the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026.

The programme brings together a varied collection of private gardens across Port Alfred, from established heritage properties and riverside gardens to water-wise coastal spaces filled with succulents, bromeliads and indigenous plants. Many of the participating gardeners have adapted their properties to Port Alfred’s coastal conditions, making clever use of drought-tolerant species, indigenous trees, shaded planting and water-wise landscaping.

Dates: Saturday 24 October 2026 & Sunday 25 October 2026

17 Riverside Drive

17 Riverside Drive, Port Alfred

Gardeners: Laton and Angela Roebert

This relatively small and recently established garden demonstrates how effectively succulents and bromeliads can be used within a compact space. Many of the plants were gifts from fellow gardeners, giving the property a particularly personal character as it developed.

Wheelchair access

3 Hastings Place

3 Hastings, Port Alfred

Gardeners: Laton and Angela Roebert

Originally designed around succulents and bromeliads, this garden was developed with recurring drought and water shortages in mind. When an adjoining plot became available, the garden was extended into the additional space. Existing plants were propagated and divided to establish the expanded area, resulting in a notably water-wise garden.

Wheelchair access
Dogs are allowed

Cumberland House

3 Brighton Road, Port Alfred

Gardeners: David and Gael Edwards

Cumberland House was established as a water-wise garden, with succulents forming an important part of the planting. Rocks have been used on the slopes to help grade different areas, while pebbles help retain moisture. As the garden has developed, space has been carefully allocated for individual plants and trees.

Pyramid House by the Sea

1 Glen Eagles Drive, Port Alfred

Gardeners: Delene and Dave Hawkins

Pyramid House by the Sea is a completely water-wise garden designed specifically for challenging coastal conditions. Succulents and bromeliads have been chosen to withstand wind, drought, salt-laden air and poor soil. Despite these demanding conditions, the garden provides a varied display of colour.

Plant sales

Amanzi Aiapandla

4 Pirie Lane, Port Alfred

Gardener: Jean Page

Amanzi Aiapandla is an established garden approximately 50 years old, with mature trees and extensive colourful planting. Bamboo was planted along one boundary to create a windbreak against the coastal conditions, helping provide a more sheltered environment for flowering shrubs and annuals. Visitors are also encouraged to look out for the garden’s unusual faerie post boxes.

Limited wheelchair access

Garden with a Difference

21 Smith Street, Port Alfred

Gardeners: Liezl and Derick Kleynhans

This garden surrounds a heritage home and began as an extensively overgrown property containing established trees. The owners developed the existing framework by introducing clivias, grasses, succulents and a large variety of bromeliads. Bonsai displays have since become another significant part of the garden.

Wheelchair access

Knoll Top

5 Vroom Road, Port Alfred

Gardener: Lin Bekker

Knoll Top is an evolving garden that is primarily indigenous and water-wise, with succulents playing an important role.The historic Herbert Bake Home, dating from around 1912, stands on top of the Knoll and enjoys views over the Indian Ocean Golf Course and towards the surrounding valleys, hills and town. The garden features a broad grassy sidewalk area with coral trees, pink candelabra flowers, a small fishpond and beds containing a variety of shade-loving plants.

Limited wheelchair access

The Hob

34 The Spithead, Royal Marina, Port Alfred

Gardeners: Stuart and Liz Boucher

The Hob is a large marina garden located on the banks of the Kowie River, close to the river mouth. The property is arranged over two levels and includes a number of shaded seating areas. Hardy shrubs provide protection from strong coastal winds, while established indigenous trees provide shade for plants including clivias, lilies and ferns. Succulents and aloes are planted in hotter, exposed areas. The children’s play area is surrounded by lawns and beds containing shrubs, groundcovers and perennials, while annuals add seasonal colour.

Limited wheelchair access

6 Misty Waves

6 Misty Waves, Sea Mist Avenue, Port Alfred

Gardener: Maureen Sole

This compact garden demonstrates an alternative to maintaining extensive lawns, which can require considerable amounts of water, fertiliser and ongoing maintenance. Much of the grass has been removed, creating a more manageable garden that also attracts bees and birds. The result is a smaller, lower-maintenance garden with varied planting.

9 Port Frances Road

9 Port Frances Road, Port Alfred

Gardeners: Raymond Kirkland and Renee Graham

This garden is divided into a series of distinct areas shaped by indigenous trees and shrubs. A clivia garden winds beneath a canopy of indigenous milkwoods and Scotia latifolia. A wild fig tree attracts many birds during its fruiting season and has been underplanted with species suited to deep shade. The back garden combines sunny and shaded shrub planting beneath indigenous trees, while the pavement garden incorporates bromeliads, clivias, gazanias, succulents and aloes.

Richmond House

19 Wesley Hill Street, Port Alfred

Gardeners: Sue and Neville Gordon

Richmond House is a substantial property of almost seven acres, overlooking the Kowie River and East Beach.The landscape largely consists of coastal bush growing on sloping terrain, while the cultivated portion of the property dates back approximately 150 years and includes impressive mature trees. Visitors can walk through the property, visit the museum and see features including the Clivia Clamber, groups of aloes and succulents, and a specially walled vegetable garden.