Garden No 1
Garden 1 – Sue and Dave Mercer, 32B Margaret Crescent, Forest Hills
This garden was previously on show in 2018 when it was at an “young age”. The inspiration from that show prompted Sue to improve her garden with the help of Helen Terblanche (Rooted in Nature Landscaping) and off course it is now much moire established and settled. The garden overlooks the Nkutu section of Krantzkloof Nature Reserve adding an extra element of attraction.
Parking is on the verges along Margaret Crescent. The Kloof Conservancy entry table will be located on Margaret Crescent. From the entry table there is a steep descent along a panhandle to the garden. The main part of the garden near the house is flat but there are some paths through an indigenous grassland that may be difficult for people with walking difficulties.
Also at this garden:
- The Flora and Fauna Publications Trust and renowned indigenous plant expert Dr Elsa Pooley (read about Elsa in an interview for Kloof Conservancy’s e-magazine The Leopard’s Echo) will be based at this garden. The Trust had a range of invaluable indigenous gardening books which will be available for sale
- Well-known reptile expert, Pat McKrill (Snake Country) will also be based at this garden and will be on hand to discuss reptiles
- Primates Africa will be at this garden to provide advice and promote co-habitation with our Vervet Monkeys
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Garden No 2
Garden No 2 – Dawn and John Booth, 40 Margaret Crescent, Forest Hills
Dawn is the inspiration for this garden and for a number of years was tempted by the idea of putting it on show but she always felt it was never quite ready. In the past 18 months he has worked tirelessly to enhance what was a good “base” to develop an amazing indigenous garden bordering the Nkutu section of Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. Dawn describes this as a “homemade” garden, designed by herself as a functional garden which not only contains an incredibly rich (and endangered) patch of KZN Sandstone Sourveld grassland but also includes a productive vegetable garden and wise use of water and composting. This is a “must see” for all those gardeners that are keen do “do their own thing” unbound by any rigorous landscaping conventions.
Parking is on the verges along Margaret Crescent. The Kloof Conservancy entry table will be located on Margaret Crescent. From the entry table there is a steep descent along a panhandle to the garden. The main part of the garden near the house is flat but there are some paths through an indigenous grassland that may be difficult for people with walking difficulties.
Also at this garden:
- Grassland Talk and Walk – 10am on Saturday and Sunday – Dawn will share her experience in rehabilitating the grassland in her garden.
- On display – Wally’s Eco Buddies educational programme including Dawn Booth’s stunning animal miniatures.
- ART at the Indigenous Open Gardens – The following well-known artists will have work on display and for sale at this garden
- Mariaan Du Plooy
- Shirely Howells
- Felicity Jackson
- Shamila Parbhoo
- Val Sperryn
- For motoring enthusiasts there will be three vintage vehicles on display (all lovingly restored by John Booth) these will be:
- 1934 Mercedes W22
- 1936 Rover 16
- 1968 BSA 650cc motorbike
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Broadmead Estate and Conservation Area
Broadmead Estate and Conservancy Area, 40 Haygarth Road, Klood
Broadmead Estate developer, Chris Harburn was born and raised in Kloof and has an inherent passion for the environment. When he conceptualised the estate on a large family owned property, he was particularly sensitive to ensure the riverine forest on the property would be rehabilitated to as close as possible to its original indigenous condition. We will have two gardens (see below) on show at the estate and Chris has agreed to also open the conservation area to visitors. The area was heavily infested with alien invasive plants and over the past few years Chris has invested to gradually remove the invaders and allow the indigenous forest to re-establish itself.
We would like to encourage visitors to take a walk through the conservation area and enjoy a picnic lunch next to the small dam.
The Conservation area has rough paths and some steep sections and is not suitable for visitors with walking difficulties.
Parking is within the Estate – follow the signs to the designated parking area
Also at Broadmead:
- Kloof Conservancy Information Table with information on the work of the Kloof Conservancy and on the garden show
- Msenge Landscapes – information of the control of Alien Invasive Species
- Indigenous Plant sales by:
- Grasslands Nursery
- HACT Plant Nursery
- Food for sale by MAKE IT HAPPEN FOODS
- Pancakes with assorted fillings
- Bacon and egg rolls
- Coffee for sale by HACT Mobile Tuk-TUK
- Coffee, cakes, muffins and scones
- Crafters selling garden ornaments – these make ideal gifts and are suitable for any garden
- Simbarashe Takavada will have some of his amazingly detialed bead/metal wire creations on sale
- Carlsen Mangena specialises in metal art particularly birds
- Lazarus Kukakunesu specialises in large metal ornaments
- Eco-rocks and butterfly attracting plants by Dr Americo Bonkewitzz – Dr Bonkewitzz is well know for his work with Lepidoptera and his eco-rocks provide an amazing mini ecosystem for insects.
- Wood Art for sale – Woodcraft by Dave Knight
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Garden No 3
Garden 3 – Dom and Edgar Tennant, 2 Broadmead
Dom and Edgar Tennant’s new garden is a symphony of colour bursting with indigenous South African plants skilfully planned by landscaper Jenny Dean. Towering trees like Rothmannia globosa and Halleria lucida will soon provide privacy and attract a flurry of birds and insects.
Indigofera jucunda mingles with Aloe vanbalenii and elegant white Agapanthus, ensuring a colourful display throughout summer with aloes adding a touch of winter magic.
This garden is relatively flat and easy to walk around.
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Garden No 4
Garden 4 – Maxine and Andy Harris, 14 Broadmead
Maxine and Andy Harris’s garden pays homage to the natural state it would have occupied hundreds of years ago.
Notable features include the carefully designed ‘lizard hotel,’ abundant Arctotis, a stone spiral herb garden utilising water-wise techniques, and spaces within the paving that accommodate Agapanthus and Anthericum.
The house and garden blend seamlessly, with the garden’s focal points elegantly framed by the house’s windows.
This garden has a short incline at the entrance but after that it is relatively flat and easy to walk around with the exception of a couple of steepish and narrow garden paths.
Also at this Garden:
We will be selling artworks which have been donated to the Kloof Conservancy – funds raised will be used in our environmental projects:
- Item 1 – Natal Tree Frog, Artist: Giffy
- Giffy is a professional artist famous for his graffiti street art which has been used to beautify many towns in KwaZulu Natal. In recent years he has been commissioned to do murals at schools and homes where the art can often be seen from the street.
- Giffy rarely does work on canvas, so this piece is somewhat of a rarity and even more so as it is done using wax crayons.
- Item 2 – Lone Tree, Artist: Pam Mapp
- Pam Mapp is a well-known local artist who works in oils on canvas and favours primarily landscapes.
- This “Lone Tree” work in which a lone tree dominates the landscape was inspired by a visit to Pietermaritzburg area.
- Item 3 – Landscape “Verkykerskop”, Artist: Pam Mapp
- Pam drew inspiration for this landscape painting following a visit to the Vrede area in the Free State near Verkykerskop.
- Item 4 – Set of 4 signed prints by botanical artist Dr Elsa Pooley
- Southern African palms (including frames)
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Garden No 5
Garden 5 – Kerry and Colyn Townsend, 5 Park Avenue, Hillcrest
Kerry is no stranger to the Indigenous Open Gardens having previously had a garden on show but this is a new home and a new garden and its going on show for the very first time. This garden is a work of passion and hard work where Kerry has brought all her landscaping skills into play and created beautiful features and meandering paths.
The garden borders on Springside Nature Reserve and funds raised at this garden will be allocated to the Mend-the-Molweni project which is addressing sewerage problems in the Hillcrest CBD as well as the consequent pollution of the Molweni River which has its source in the reserve.
This garden has a steepish, sandy entrance from the parking/road to the house – afterthat he garden has has numerous paths with a few stairs but is relatively easy to walk around.
Also at this garden:
- Hillcrest Conservancy – display and information
- on the work of Hillcrest Conservancy
- the Mend-the-Molweni Project
- Self guided easy walks into the rehabilitated wetlands at Springside Nature Reserve
- Guided walks into the rehabilitated wetlands at Springside Nature Reserve ( home to the endangered Kloof Frog) 13:00 on both Saturday and Sunday
- Wors rolls will be sold to raise funds for the Mend-the-Molweni Project
- Anura Africa – information on amphibians – Dr Jeanne Tarrant
- Lepsoc Africa
- Butterfly experts on hand to discuss how to get more butterflies in your garden
- Live caterpillars on show and advice on rearing caterpillars
- Butterfly books on sale
- Guided walks into Springside NR at 10:00 and 13:00 each day – pre-booking essential – to book email: steve@butterflygear.co.za
- BirdLife eThekwini KZN – bird experts will be on hand to assist with any queries visitors may have on birds and the following activities:
- bird identification sessions
- bird books and bird pins for sale
- Information on Membership of BirdLife eThekwini KZN
- short guided walks to look for birds in Springside NR at 09:30 and 13:00
- Advice on bird photography and equipment
- Botanical Society of South Africa KZN Coastal Branch
- Information on
- the rich flora of our area,
- the work of CREW (Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers),
- the City Nature Challenge and the Great Southern Biolblitz
- iNaturalist,
- greening our verges,
- invasive alien plants and
- other BotSoc activities;
- botanical field guides and indigenous gardening books available;
- posters on plants that attract butterflies, birds and bees;
- raffle to win the out-of-print book Ferns of Southern Africa: A comprehensive guide.
- Weekend special: Sign up as a member and receive a free indigenous gardening book!
- Information on
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Garden No 6
Garden No 6 – The home of Tanya and Izolda Visser, The Potting Shed, 6 Controversy Drive, Assagay
This garden has now become a regular feature of our show and we continue to put it on show because Tanya’s passion for gardening is a powerful inspiration for all who visit it. As always Tanya puts all her passion into the show and her garden will always have new features and plants to admire and inspire.
This garden is relatively easy to walk around but it does have some stairs in places.
PARKING:
- A nearby field has been set aside for parking – it is a very short walk from the parking to the entry gate – please follow the guidance from the Parking Attendants to ensure safe parking
- Please do not park on the verge on Controversy Road where hazard tape has been installed – it is important to not park in the areas demarcated by hazard tape to avoid Controversy Road becoming blocked. Parking on the verge will restrict vehicle movement and cause a traffic jam!
You can read all about Tanya’s gardening adventures in The Gardener magazine
Also at this garden:
- Tanya’s Pop-up Shop selling a wide range of gardening accessories
- Specialised plant sales
- Food stall
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