Elgin Open Gardens 2023

Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 October, Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 November

Eight 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: 9:30 – 16:00
Tickets: Each garden has its own entrance charge. Some are free, with charity boxes. Tickets are only available on the day at each entrance. No prebooking is needed, and there is no single ticket for all gardens.
Enquiries: 021 844 0154, 078 021 2101, 083 458 3790, info@elginopengardens.co.za Website: www.elginopengardens.co.za

Auldearn

A plants woman’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. There is 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

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

• Wine tasting
• Dogs allowed
• Limited access
• Food and drink
• Picnic spots

Fresh Woods

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 is also collections of cyclamen, 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
• Wheelchair access
• Food and drink

Keurbos Nursery Garden

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. Included with Sonop

• Plant sales
• Food and drink
• Wheelchair access
• Picnic spots

Lavenham

A picturesque English 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

• Art
• Dogs allowed
• Wheelchair access
• Picnic spots

Sonop

A new 3ha section of old south-facing contoured farmland 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: R30. Included with Keurbos

• Wheelchair access
• Picnic spots

The Stone Kitchen

Waterwise organic garden on rocky, sandy koppie with pergolas, indigenous plantings, olive trees; organic permaculture kitchen garden, stone and cob building.

Directions: From Grabouw Main Road, turn up opposite FNB; 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

• Dogs allowed
• Picnic spots

Wildekrans Country House

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