Each year many gardens from Elgin, Bot River and Vyeboom open their gardens to the public in the first two weekends of November.
Because the area is wetter and cooler than elsewhere in the Western Cape, visitors can expect to see a wide range of interesting and unusual plants, such as rhododendrons, Japanese maples and flowering cherries. The area is also famous for its roses.
Many of the gardens will be offering teas or light snacks, some have plant sales, and others are hosting painting and sculpture exhibitions. At the same time many of Elgin and Bot River’s now-famous wine estates will be opening their doors for wine tasting.
There are a number of nurseries in the area, and you can also take a tour of Elgin Roses, where roses are grown for cut flowers.
There will be a craft market during the first weekend, and a special Wine Tasting Day where all the wines of the Elgin Valley can be tasted in one place on the second weekend.
Times: 10am - 5pm
For more information call Keurbos Nursery 021 8489146 or Barbara Knox-Shaw 021 8440154/ 082 712 1004
The 20 gardens that were open last year were:
Auldearn, Highlands Rd, Elgin. Acclaimed plantswoman’s garden with panoramic views over the Kogelberg Biosphere. R10 Teas Plant sales
Boesmansrug, Graymead Rd, Vyeboom. Rose garden, secret garden, herb garden, pastures, majestic oaks. R10 Teas Plant sales
The Chanu Studio, Essenhout Rd, Klipkop. An emerging mainly indigenous garden with sculptures by the owner who also designed an interesting water feature. Free entry.
Compagnes Drift, Bot River. A charming garden between a dam and an historic Cape Dutch homestead and cellar, home of Beaumont Wines. Free entry. Lunches. Wine tasting.
Duncan's Rose Garden, Viljoenshoop Rd, Elgin. Landscaped rose garden displaying varieties on sale. Free entry Refreshments Plant sales
Eikenhof, Villiersdorp Rd, Elgin. One of the oldest Elgin gardens, from 1920.Wonderful trees set in an essentially "English Style" garden. Free entry. Teas.
Fresh Woods,off N2, Elgin Award-winning rambling, romantic garden with major collection of heritage & species roses. R15 Teas Plant sales
Fairholme, Viljoenshoop Rd, Elgin. Redesigned and replanted garden with magnificent views. Free entry. Plant sales
Goedvertrouw, Van der Stel Pass, Bot River Charming cottage garden with large variety of plants. R10 Teas, meals Plant sales Wine sales
Heaven Scent Nursery Garden, Valley Rd, Elgin. Working cutflower garden on mountain slope. R5 Plant sales Cutflower sales
Iona Vineyards, Highlands Rd, Elgin Informal garden with magnificent views. Free entry. Wine tasting. Wine sales
Keurbos Nursery Garden, Highlands Rd, Elgin Informal garden with many exciting indigenous plants R10. Teas. Light lunches. Plant sales.
Lavenham, Viljoenshoop Rd, Elgin Woodland garden with lawns, roses, herbaceous borders. R10 Refreshments Art exhibition
Lorraine, Viljoenshoop Rd, Elgin. Spectacular views from this garden which has a natural rockface and waterfall. Entry R10.
Oudebrug Art Gallery, Morning Star Farm, off N2, Elgin. Sculpture garden in the grounds of an art gallery. Free entry Teas Plant sales Art exhibition
Ou Meul, Van der Stel Pass, Bot River. Small imaginative potter's garden useing clay pottery and found objects in clever ways. Free entry. Garden pottery for sale.
Porcupine Hills, Van der Stel Pass, Bot River. Treed garden in dramatic mountain setting. Free entry. Lunches. Local wines.
The Stone Kitchen, Essenhout Rd, Klipkop. Organic garden on rocky koppie with pergolas; kitchen garden. R10 entry. Teas. Plant sales.
Tall Trees, Viljoenshoop Rd, Elgin Charming country garden with roses, pond, lawns and colourful beds. R10 entry.
Wildekrans Country Lodge, Houw Hoek Rambling country garden of historic homestead in dramatic mountain setting. Free entry. Teas. Wine tasting
A free detailed brochure with map will be available at all major nurseries in the Western Cape from the end of September.
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