Natural Wild Woodland Garden
This garden has evolved quite naturally from the indigenous environment. The seedbank germinated and grew after the aliens which had smothered it were removed 17 years ago. The district of the Tsitsikamma includes mountains, coastal plain, the coast and plenty of water. The endemic plants include the cool temperate forest trees, and mountain, coastal and wetland Fynbos , which is the South African word for the shrub families, restios and grasses, bulbs, annuals, tree & ground orchids, ferns, and other plants. Together these make the Cape Biome the richest in the world.
House from the Drive |
House in summer from Drive |
Pride of the Cape |
Two large spreading Cape figs and a Cape chestnut, yellowwoods, an oak, a Cape holly and a large Rhus chirindensis, the redcurrants of which are beloved by birds, are underplanted with crinums, clivia, agapanthus, iris, hydrangeas, and an orange Pride of the Cape bauhinia. Parking is shaded by two large fig trees. In summer hydrangeas flower profusely in the front beds.
View from Veranda |
Flowerbed on West Fence |
The veranda faces North, to the left is a flowerbed well stocked with Fynbos plants, including ericas, berzilias, leucadendrons, watsonias and veltheimas. Another young Cape chestnut, large blue-flowered Psoralea pinnatas, and in Spring the Wachendorfias, watsonias and wisteria make it very cheerful. The view from the veranda is ever-changing.
Entrance to Arboretum |
Al Fresco area from Studio |
Al Fresco Area |
To the East of the lawn is the arboretum, so called because so many of the local forest trees seeded themselves there. For example, stinkwood, yellowwoods, hard pears, malabars, Cape beeches, candlewoods, ironwoods, dog plum, kiggelarieas, one of the witchhazels, and more. In the Arboretum is a clearing suitable for al fresco gatherings. In spring, clivia and crinums, tradescantias and lachenalias bloom, unfortunately not all at the same time! The Knysna fern and the Cyathera dregei both live there happily.
Wooden Bridge in Spring |
Past the Arboretum is a wooden bridge, the first of the three across the stream. Along the path, two large cycads, the local buchu bush, helichrysums (aromatic), and yellow flag iris grow. In Spring, the stream-bed is full of Wachendorfia thrysiflora, making a wonderful show of gold spires, arums and agapanthus and psoraleas adding white and touches of blue. Above are the mountains, blue in the cool spring air.
Pond and Wetland |
Wetland above Pond |
Flag Iris in Wetland |
Blue Waterlilies & bees |
Over the bridge one continues to the Swimming Pond, a joy in the summer. A man-made pond that has a clear area in the middle especially for bathing. The water is kept clean fresh and clear by the local blue water lilies with intense yellow centres. Beyond the pond is an open area with a few deciduous fruit trees underplanted with indigenous ground covers. A young stinkwood, a hard pear, a Nuxia floribunda, Cape Beeches and malabars grow near the pond, and the end wall is planted mainly with agapanthus and arums. Water from the pond is pumped through a wetland for extra filtration, and the yellow flag-irises, endemic restios and water lobelias all contribute to the healthy water.
Third bridge concrete |
Downstream of 3rd Bridge |
Rocks aboveBridge |
Path over Bridge to House |
Vegetable Garden |
South of the lawn beside the Swimming Pond, there is a further area of woodland. The stream flows towards the southern fence, exiting the property over natural rocks and pools and falling down a small waterfall just outside the boundary. The path turns right over a third bridge (2nd concrete) which spans the stream, and goes past the small vegetable garden and another Fynbos area into the Front Garden, and so back to the House.
For added photos of garden and plants, please see Photo Gallery. A garden map is also available.