Elgin Open Gardens 2022
Nine gardens are opening over two weekends in the Elgin District, which is renowned for its cooler climate and heavy fertile soils, its apples and wines. These range from long-established country gardens to newly created wilding projects on steep hillsides.
Times: 09:30 – 17:00
Entrance: Each garden has its own entrance charge. Some are free, with charity boxes.
Enquiries: 021 844 0154, 078 021 2101, 083 458 3790, info@elginopengardens.co.za, www.elginopengardens.co.za
Tickets are only available on the day at each entrance. No pre-booking is needed, and there is no single ticket for all gardens.
Auldearn
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October and Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November
A plantswoman’s hilltop garden that skilfully mixes unusual indigenous and exotic plants, with a focus on colour combinations. Panoramic views over the Kogelberg biosphere are framed by informal mixed plantings dominated by flowering cherries and roses. Also two ponds and a stream.
- Directions: 8.5km from N2 on Highlands Road
- Entry: R35
Plant sales | Wheelchair access | Food and drink | Picnic spots
Elgin Vintners Country House
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October and Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November
A recently restored formal garden from the 1920s with original stonework, wisteria pergola, rose beds, and oak copses. Trees include a mature Magnolia grandiflora and a huge tulip tree which must be one of the largest in the country. Magnificent views.
- Directions: 2km from the N2 on Appletiser Road; follow the signs for Elgin Vintners
- Entry: Free; charity box
Dogs allowed | Limited access | Food and drink | Picnic spots
* Picnic boxes available
Fresh Woods
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October and Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November
Rambling, romantic plantsman’s garden with major collection of heritage and species roses, many rare trees and shrubs, some wild-collected, including rhododendrons, serrata and wild hydrangeas, deutzias and over 80 Japanese maples. There are also collections of cyclamens, epimediums and lilies, a woodland garden under pine and a bamboo walk.
- Directions: Off the N2 between the Viljoenshoop and Glen Fruin turnoffs
- Entry: R40. Children 2 –12 half price
Plant sales | Limited access | Food and drink
Houw Hoek Outspan
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October and Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November
This ever-changing garden boasts fantastic views of the Houw Hoek mountains. Each year massed annuals are planted in the borders of colourful beds reminiscent of the English Garden style. There are over 300 roses and many interesting plants that encourage a vibrant bird population making this an enjoyable experience for both keen gardeners and bird lovers alike.
- Directions: From N2 as for Houw Hoek Hotel, then turn right at the hotel.
- Entry: Free. Charity box
Food and drink | Picnic spots
Lavenham
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October and Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November
A picturesque, look-alike Anne Hathaway thatched cottage set in a large peaceful woodland garden with extensive lawns, roses, herbaceous borders and groundcovers.
- Directions: 2km from N2 along Viljoenshoop Road
- Entry: R20
Dogs allowed | Limited access | Picnic spots
Keurbos Nursery Garden
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October and Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November
A large natural garden designed for birds, with both indigenous and exotic sections as well as acer and heritage rose beds and a large nursery area. Collections of bulbs and buchus, acers and azaleas, rhododendrons, heritage roses and more.
- Directions: 8km from N2 on Highlands Road.
- Entry: R30, including Sonop
Plant sales | Limited access | Food and drink | Picnic spots
Sonop
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October and Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November
A new 3ha section of old south-facing contoured farmland which is being slowly rehabilitated with indigenous planting, with just about everything propagated by the owner herself, who gardens this singlehandedly. Bring walking shoes if you would like to see a work in progress. Lovely views onto a bird lake, with a walkway on one side.
- Directions: 8km from N2 on Highlands Road
- Entry: Included with Keurbos
Limited access | Picnic spots
The Stone Kitchen
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October and Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November
Waterwise organic garden on rocky, sandy koppie with pergolas, indigenous plantings, olive trees, organic permaculture kitchen garden, and a stone and cob building.
- Directions: From Grabouw Main Road, turn up opposite FNB, then left at T-junction into Bosbou/Forest Drive, first right into Karee through stone pillars, first right into Celtis and first left into Essenhout.
- Entry: R20
Food and drink | Picnic spots
Wildekrans Country House
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October and Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November
Named after the ‘wild cliffs’ at the bottom of the rambling garden, the Wildekrans farm dates back to 1811. The traditional Cape Dutch architecture countered by a contemporary art collection offers a city energy with a country soul, while the Houw Hoek Mountains make for a dramatic natural backdrop. This is an established garden of colourful roses, indigenous shrubs, aged trees, an olive grove and water gardens.
- Directions: Off the N2 at Houw Hoek Village, as for Houw Hoek Hotel. Turn right at hotel.
- Entry: Free. Charity box
Wheelchair access | Food and drink | Picnic spots