⁕ Franschhoek Open Garden Festival
Open: 15 – 17 November 2024
The Franschhoek Open Garden festival prides itself on offering a diverse array of gardens, catering to various preferences. From charming village gardens to stunning expansive farm gardens, we have something to suit every taste. Each year, our aim is to introduce fresh and thrilling garden experiences. In this year’s festival, you can explore a total of eleven gardens: four of them are newly showcased, five have not been on display for two years or longer, and two gardens return from last year’s exhibition.
Time: 10:00 – 17:00
Gardens on show in 2023 were:
Montpellier Upper Waterfall Farm (Turn Off At Bridge House), Fransvliet R45 Main Road (Just Outside The Village), 9 Roux Street, 13 Roux Street, Artemis House 37 Uitkyk Street, 37 De Wet Street, La Cotte Farm 24 La Cotte Street, 14 Louis Botha Street, Mayflower 19 Cabriere Street, 36 Cabriere Street, Verdun Road And La Sereine Middagkrans Road.
We prefer visitors to not bring their animals with them as it can lead to conflict with some of the home owners’ pets.
All proceeds will go to Fleur de Lis Home for the Aged and to buy medical equipment for our local Emergency Response services.
Visitors can also enjoy the many spectacular gardens of the wine estates around Franschhoek. These are open to the public all year round.
Enquiries: 073 535 0007, fhkgardens@gmail.com. www.franschhoekopengardens.co.za
Contact Franschhoek Tourism on 021 876 2861 for information regarding accommodation, restaurants and other Franschhoek activities.
1.MONTPELLIER UPPER WATERFALL FARM (TURN OFF AT BRIDGE HOUSE)
Jane Landau
Indigenous material has been used creatively on rocky inhospitable soil. With a sloping mountain backdrop, the garden includes a lovely walk across the stream to a magnificent main garden with spectacular vistas from every angle. Jane has put her touch on this stunning garden.
2.FRANSVLIET R45 MAIN ROAD (JUST OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE)
Vanessa du Plessis
This extensive mixed garden invites the visitor to walk through a large variety of planting concepts, from the traditional lemon and lime grove, alongside paths lined with a large range of colourful flowers and shrubs. In addition they are bounded by working vineyards which form part of the property and help to define its character. There is also a courtyard garden, a natural pool and raised beds of herbs. All of which help to complete the interest of this delightful property.
3.13 ROUX STREET
Henk Scholtz
World renowned Garden Designer, Henk Scholtz has designed a garden with lots of detail and full of surprises that incorporate his sense of fun. It has geometry written all over it. Shapes and levels play a big part in this small waterwise garden. Featured in the BBC TV program “Around the World in Eighty Gardens”.
4.ARTEMIS HOUSE 37 UITKYK STREET
Andrea Desmond Smith
This is an artists garden. Wild and indigenous, set in a natural landscape surrounded by magnificent vistas. It offers energetic walking or a slow stroll. Beautiful ponds, vibrant colours, succulent layouts, sculptures, unique features and surprise elements are to be spotted around every corner.
5.37 DE WET STREET
Annaline Hofmeyer
This is a new, large town garden with many outside rooms which compliment the majestic homestead. The home and landscaped gardens have been created by entirely by Annaline. A water rill leads you up to a magnificent formal garden dominated by four pools flowing down to a pool house dwarfed by scenic mountains. You can experience a formal rose garden, a Spanish garden, a cottage garden, decorative walkways and a dry garden which culminates with a peaceful pond.
6.LA COTTE FARM 24 LA COTTE STREET
This is a relatively new garden on a historical Estate. The old homestead is surrounded by rolling hills and old oaks. A sweep of shrubs, colourful plantings and veggies leadto the Dovecot, now a chicken coop. There is a lot to see including colurful cottage gardens , a grass garden and a pool courtyard.
7.14 LOUIS BOTHA STREET
Claire Tungate
This immaculate wrap around garden provides a lovely frame to this home. It is new on show and is filled with patches of colour and some interesting plants. The enthusiastic gardeners are passionate about manicured edges and well tendered beds. Visitors can stroll around the entire perimeter with different views from every corner.
8.MAYFLOWER 19 CABRIERE STREET
Cate and Tony Fishlock
This is a new garden on show. The eco pool in this small garden is a serene focal point and creates a sense of space and tranquility. The water is kept in pristine condition by the plantings through which the water is filtered. In keeping with the natural surroundings of the eco pool, Cate’s garden has predominantly indigenous plantings. Her water wise kitchen garden is in raised planting boxes and uses a watering system based on wicking which uses 80% less water and encourages strong root systems. Birds, insects, frogs and squirrels abound.
9. 36 CABRIERE STREET
Sonia and Carl Atkinson
A park like garden featuring magnificent old trees. Enjoy the dappled light filtering through lofty branches. Deeply shaded to sunlit open areas which are suitably planted. This garden displays many of the favourite plants found in the gardens of the historic houses of the Cape. The magnificent garden at the rear of the house slopes away to a lovely view of the mountains beyond.
10.LA SEREINE MIDDAGKRANS ROAD
Dennis Hotz
Dennis has used the garden as a palette, painting sweeping areas with a fynbos walk up to a stylish vegetable garden containing exotic fruit and vegetables. The front area sways with grasses and indigenous plantings with a spectacular vista laid out before you.