Kloof Conservancy’s Indigenous Open Gardens Show is its flagship project and main annual fund-raising fixture. Over the years, it has been instrumental in contributing to the protection of KwaZulu-Natal’s biodiversity by educating the broader public about our floral diversity and the merits of indigenous gardening, and by raising significant sums of money for local conservation projects, including (in past years) the removal of invasive alien plants and improvements in Krantzkloof Nature Reserve as well as (currently/ongoing) numerous other environmental project in Kloof and adjoining areas including Molweni.

Taking place since 1999, the show has “inspired” many home owners to convert to indigenous gardening with the stunning range of gardens that have been featured and this year’s event will no doubt continue this trend! In addition the projects funded by the income generated during the show have made a significant contribution to the environmental wellbeing of the area.

The Upper Highway is situated within the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Biodiversity Hotspot and is well known for the wealth of flora and fauna that is found in the area. The protection of this flora and fauna through indigenous gardens has been the theme of all our Indigenous Garden events.

Enjoying the show

Some simple guidelines to help you enjoy the gardens:

• Wear sensible shoes – there are areas with cobblestone paving or gravel or slopes!
• The are many interesting/unusual trees to see so bring along a tree book.
• Take a pair of binoculars if you are interested in birds – gardens create habitats which are ideal for birds.
• Plan your comfort breaks – there are limited toilet facilities at gardens so please plan accordingly
• You are going to be in the sun for much of the day – wear sunscreen and a hat – cool-drinks will be on sale at some of the gardens.
• The gardens are “open” but the homes are not – please do respect the owners privacy and do not wander through private spaces.
• Please do not bring any animals (NO PETS) to the gardens.
• The gardeners are all very knowledgeable – do feel free to engage with them as they are more than willing to share their knowledge.

Previous shows

2023

The 2023 show continued to draw the crowds and took place over the weekend of 25/26 March 2023. This was our first “end of summer” show since 2017.

Garden 1 – Nathalie Massa & Malan Roux, 1 Jacaranda Hill, 7 Meadow Lane, Kloof

Heavily influenced by landscaper Jenny Dean this garden defies the sceptics and provides a splash of amazing colours and a wide variety of plants.

Garden 2 – Carolyn and George Victor, 3 Northern Avenue, Hillcrest

We were pleased to include this garden as a first time show participant and it drew a lot attention for its very practical indigenous planting as well as for its innovative use of materials, recycling and wise water use. The proceeds from this garden were donated to Hillcrest Conservancy to help fund wetland development as part of the Mend-the-Molweni Project.

Garden 3 – Tanya Visser and Izolda van der Merwe, The Potting Shed, 6 Controversy Drive, Assagay

Now a regular feature of the show this garden highlights Tanya’s passion and tireless efforts and always presents something exciting and new.

Garden 4 – The Wetlands, Stoneford Country Estate,  Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill

This was not a not a true “garden” in the context of our show, but it contains a large environmentally important wetland area which demonstrates wise land use and habitat protection in an upmarket development. Not only is the wetland of environmental importance but it also provides the residents with an important recreational facility where they can reconnect with nature.

Garden 5 – The home of Sandile Radebe, 500 Stoneford Country Estate, Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill

This garden was on show for the very first time and offered visitors a glimpse on how to successfully blend a large home with all its necessary hard surfaces into an eye-pleasing palette. 

Garden 6 – Alison and Paul Alcock, 497 Stoneford Country Estate, Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill

On show for the first time this is an extensive garden filled to the brim with indigenous species and blending into its surroundings with grace. The garden includes fascinating architectural features to accommodate a steep slope in one area where water is used to its maximum effect.

Garden 7 – Helen Terblanche and Lesley Muller, 490 Stoneford Country Estate, Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill

Helen brought her extensive knowledge of indigenous gardening to this relatively new garden and has created a kaleidoscope of colours and plants to blend into the surroundings. Typical of her gardens it is packed with different and exciting species adapted to survive in a tough environment and with an eye on minimal water use.

2022

2022 was another very successful show with four stunning gardens with the show happening over the weekend of 2/3 July. Due to their popularity we included two gardens from 2021 (Gardens 3 and 4) and one garden (Garden 2) which had previously been on show in 2016 as many visitors enjoy seeing how gardens develop over time. We also included one one garden (No1) which had never been on show before.

Garden 1 – Karen and John Galt, 16-18 Quillhall Lane, Kloof

Garden 2 – Pamela and Chris Dalzell, 45 Alamein Avenue, Kloof

Garden 3 – Tunzini – Brigid and Pete Turner – 43 Kloof View Road, Forest Hills

Garden 4 – Tanya Visser and Izolda vd Merwe – 6 Controversy Road, Assagay

2021

2021 Was one of the most successful shows ever and took place over the weekend of 5/6 June. There were four gardens on show:

Garden 1 – Shambala – Dana Flack – 10 Impangele Road, Kloof

Garden 2 – Tunzini – Brigid and Pete Turner – 43 Kloof View Road, Forest Hills

Garden 3 – Tanya Visser and Izolda vd Merwe – 6 Controversy Road, Assagay

Garden 4 – Jean Dean Wildflower Nursery – Jenny and Peter Dean – 18A Bowles Road, Assagay

2020

There was no show in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic

2019

Due to a late cancellation by the host for our traditional Tea Garden venue the format of the show was changed drastically to a “Pop-up” show for 2019. As a result we abandoned our traditional Tea Garden and put only 4 gardens on show at short notice with two new gardens and two gardens from our 2018 show. The new format was a runaway success and the four gardens proved very popular. The show took place over the weekend of 20/21 June.

2018

Held on the 16th and 17th of June, this year’s event featured seven incredible gardens showcasing spectacular shifts from exotic to indigenous gardening.

See all the photos at our Facebook albums prior to the event, and for Saturday and Sunday.

Garden 1 – 32 Jan Smuts Avenue, Winston Park (Haley & Gavin Hough)

Garden 2 – 34 Alexander Drive, Winston Park (Derek & Sharron Rabie)

Garden 3 – The duBoirs Boutique Lodge, Wedding & Conference Venue, 198 Inanda Rd, Waterfall (Palesa Dube)

Garden 4 – 32 Umgeni View, Crestholme (Christine and Vincent Dench)

Garden 5 – 13 Valley Drive, Forest Hills (Helen Terblanche)

Garden 6 – 34B Margaret Crescent, Forest Hills (Dave & Sue Mercer)

Garden 7 – 9 Watsonia Place, Forest Hills (Helen & Tim McClurg)

2017

Held on the 25th and 26th of March, the theme for this year’s event was indigenous colour.

See all the photos at our Facebook albums prior to the event, and on Saturday and Sunday.

Garden 1 – 33 Lyngarth Road, Kloof

The home of Juliet and Anthony Stead. This is is an well established garden with an amazing range of species which will be of interest to botanists!

Garden 2 – 75A Emolweni Road, Kloof

The home of Shirley and Robin Phillips. This garden is a recent conversion from an exotic garden with a large percentage of invasive alien species (still present in some neighbouring gardens.) It has a mix of sunny and shady species which provide great interest.

Garden 3 – 5 Mkongweni Road, Waterfall

The home of Lindi and Kevin Collett. This is a young garden for a young family and demonstrates what can be done in difficult terrain. It has an interesting range of species and large rockery.

Garden 4 – 9 Polela Road, Hillcrest

The home of Nonjabulo and Thami Hlongwa. Designed by Miles Steenhuizen this is a relatively young garden which has been converted from exotic to indigenous. It is designed to meet family needs with interesting features such as a traditional fire pit.

Garden 5 – 14 Neville Road, Gillitts

The home of Carryn and Donovan Payne. This is an established garden originally designed by Phil Page but significantly altered recently by Donovan to accommodate his young family. The garden is in a stunning natural setting with a stream flowing through it.

2016

Held on the 11th and 12th of June, the theme for 2016 was “Embrace D’MOSS. Live with Nature” and all the gardens on show had a D’MOSS section.

Where this concept has been embraced, as in the gardens on display in 2016, the rewards for the property owners have been significant. Not only did they create environments which are conducive to the protection of the biodiversity of the area but they have also significantly enhanced their own quality of life by blending their lifestyles with nature around them. These gardens are rich in biodiversity not only in the diversity of the flora but also with fauna as the environments which have created have brought back many species such as Blue Duiker, Bushbuck, Porcupine, Slender and Water Mongoose, Caracal and many others. In addition properties are much sought after and their economic value increased.

See all the photos at our Facebook albums prior to the event, and on Saturday (Volume 1 and Volume 2) and Sunday.

Garden 1 – 45 Alamein Avenue, Kloof

The home of Anitalia Walker and Malcolm Perry – a well established indigenous garden which attracts many birds and has stunning views of Kloof Gorge. Sit in the garden and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere while being serenaded by the many birds.

Garden 2 – 47 Alamein Avenue, Kloof

The home of Pamela and Chris Dalzell – Chris is the former curator of the Durban Botanical Gardens and more recently a member of the team responsible for creating the new Singapore botanical gardens. With his wealth of experience Chris has created an amazing indigenous garden with many interesting species and stunning gorge views. Due to the steep terrain parts of this garden are not recommended for persons with walking difficulties.

Garden 3 – Cascades 38 Buckingham Road, Kloof

Cascades was developed between 2001 and 2003 with a D’MOSS condition on the development being the establishment of a Non-User-Conservation-Servitude (NUCS) to protect approximately half of the property from development. The area to be protected includes a perennial stream, the Ronald’s Kloof Stream, and was heavily infested with invasive alien plants (IAPs). In 2005 the residents started a rehabilitation project and included their neighbours. Today the area of approximately 5ha has been fully rehabilitated with funding from most of the residents and is a de facto private nature reserve and an extension of Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. The Cascades property is not fenced on the forest side and as a result the gardens are frequently visited by porcupine, bushpigs, bush-babies, bushbuck, blue duiker, large spotted genets, caracal, water, banded and slender mongoose and the birdlife is equally amazing!