Gardens of the Golden City 2022

The summer season of the Open Gardens for the charitable organisation Gardens of the Golden City starts in September and runs through to February next year. Here are the 10 gardens open during the season.

For any updates visit www.gardensofthegoldencity.co.za

Sandspruit River Ramble

Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 September

This first spring event we like to open in memory of Dan Hunt. Dan, an active environmentalist, took the initiative to clean up the Sandspruit from Kelvin Drive northwards, removing alien vegetation and litter. He planted hundreds of indigenous trees, put up benches and built bridges. Thanks to all his efforts, we can enjoy this beautiful stretch of the Sandspruit this weekend. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are invited.

• Directions: From Kelvin Drive, turn left into Stiglingh, then first right into 1st Avenue, Rivonia
• Times: 10:00 – 16:00
• Entrance: R50 per person, dogs R20 per dog.
• No bookings required.
• Enquiries: Margreet 072 400 1559 or Lynne 082 689 0930
• Picnic basket orders Karin 081 736 1506.

Dogs allowed | Limited access | Food and drink | Picnic spots

A Blooming Affair Garden and Craft Market Day

Saturday 1 October

Roedean School (SA), Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown

Roedean School has a truly magnificent garden of botanical interest which ‘intertwines’ with the school’s 119-year history. The Herbert Baker buildings are complemented by beds filled with a great variety of plants, large and small, indigenous and exotic, with roses abounding. Visit The Anne Lorentz Peace Garden, which is an indigenous water garden at the start of the Roedean Kopjie walk. The annual one-day event includes a craft market, food stalls, tea and champagne gardens. For keen gardeners there will also be a variety of plants on sale including rose bushes supplied by Ludwig’s Roses.

• Times: 9:00 – 16:00
• Entrance: R70 per person.
• Cashless event: credit card, debit card and Zapper payments accepted.
• Enquiries: Jacqui 011 647 3203 or info@abloomingaffair.co.za, www.abloomingaffair.co.za

Food and drink

Elphin Lodge

Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 October

222 Modderfontein Road, Lyndhurst

About 10 jewels of small gardens set in the park-like village grounds complete with dams bordered with weeping willows, a thatched boma, a wooded copse of 100-year-old blue-gum trees reaching high alongside the river. Abundant and varied bird life. A small English country garden along the river contrasts with a hotch-potch of flowers opposite another garden with a brilliant display of azaleas in pink, lilac and white. From the lush apartment garden to the breath-taking Japanese cherry blossoms; to a dedicated rose lover; a mini landscape with Pelindaba rocks; statues, hanging baskets and pots as well as a part-succulent garden of exotic species. An inspiration to every small garden owner.

• Times: 10:00 – 16:00
• Entrance: R50 (Children under 12 free)
• No bookings required.
• Enquiries: Pam 083 496 4746 or Margreet 072 400 1559

Wheelchair access | Food and drink

Sharon Kroon

Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 October

11 Ferguson Road, Bedfordview

Sharon has cleverly designed the front garden based on circular and semi-circular flower beds and seeded grass areas. Neat topiary trees and bushes, left and right of the garages. Dominant colours are pink, white and purple. The large back garden surprises with ponds, a plunge pool, water features and a grotto.

• Times: 10:00 – 16:00
• Entrance: R50 per person (Children under 12 free)
• No bookings required
• Enquiries: Pam 083 496 4746 or Margreet 072 400 1559

Plant sales

Jill Gillman

Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 October

12 Alwyn Rd, Bedfordview

A large classically elegant and abundant garden, sunny and green, with flowering pink and white roses en masse everywhere, standing and climbing. An archway of roses leads the eye down manicured lawns to a treed forest boundary as backdrop.

• Times: 10:00 – 16:00
• Entrance: R50 per person (Children under 12 free)
• No bookings required
• Enquiries: Pam 083 496 4746 or Margreet 072 400 1559

Food and drink

Lynne Marais

Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October

26 Eleventh Avenue, Melville

A small garden but wonderfully integrated into the Melville Koppies. It incorporates an eco-friendly swimming pool, complete with a rainwater holding tank to facilitate watering. Although not entirely indigenous, the levels are terraced and the endemic species meld gently into the surrounding landscape. The garden will be combined with an exploration of Melville Koppies. Wendy Carston will take people for short walks in the reserve and talk about the Koppies. These walks will take place at 11:00 and at 14:00.

• Times: 10:00 – 16:00
• Entrance: R50 plus R40 for walk and talk Melville Koppies
• No bookings required
• Enquiries: Lynne 082 689 0930 or Helena 083 267 1661

Food and drink

Burkleigh House

Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 November

327 Pine Avenue, Ferndale, Randburg

The beauty of formality is set against blossoming informality in this one acre garden. There are shrubs aplenty, including roses, set amongst mature trees, surrounding lush lawns. In a corner is a delightful vegetable garden inhabited by bantam hens.

• Times: 10:00 – 16:00
• Entrance: R50 per person (Children under 12 free)
• No bookings required
• Enquiries: Jen Johnstone 082 404 0011 or Barbara 072 234 4120

Food and drink

Casa Trevelle

Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 February 2023

Trevor and Michelle Backman, 351d Spionkop Avenue, North Riding

Casa Trevelle represents the old and the new, meeting and flowing into various areas or rooms. The slope of the land creates natural terraces of which some have been adapted as interesting cultivated areas. Wherever you go, there are the sounds of water and birds. This garden offers many options from a stroll around to sitting in one of the garden rooms or a mindful walk around the Labyrinth.

• Times: 10:00 – 16:00
• Entrance: R50 (Children under 12 free)
• Enquiries: Lynne 082 689 0930 or Margreet 072 4001559

Plant sales | Art | Food and drink | Picnic spots

Dalene Loubser

Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 February 2023

206 Willson Street, Fairland

This amazing garden increases yearly in beauty and stature. Beautifully grown flowers and foliage fill the beds around the house and border the spacious lawns. Trees and shrubs make a fitting background for the large rose garden. A garden full of ideas and of a real plant lover.

• Times: 10:00 – 16:00
• Entrance: R50 (Children under 12 free)
• Enquiries: Jen 0824040011 or Lynne 082 689 0930

Jen’s Garden

Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 February 2023

135 Wilson Street, Fairland

Born out of lockdown, Jen’s is a garden in progress. Although the planting changes, the backbone is based on the shrub and herbaceous border. A confessed plantaholic, Jen has a number of old-style and unusual plants. It’s set on three levels and has a raised vegetable garden at the rear.

• Times: 10:00 – 16:00
• Entrance: R50 (Children under 12 free)
• No bookings required
• Enquiries: Jen Johnstone 082 404 0011 or Lynne Ludolph 082 689 0930

Food and Drink