Stellenberg October 2016 continued...

A portal of light and joy.

Slug and snail patrol in training

Foxgloves from the White Garden

The perennial stream

Garden of Reflection, quiet and calming.

Pretty path

Water feature inside Walled Garden

Owl in the tree above the Vine Walk.

Inside the Walled Garden, (previously a tennis court) looking over the masculine half.

Inside the Walled Garden, looking this time towards the feminine side.

This Ginkgo tree is from a seed of one of the trees which survived the WW2 bombing of Hiroshima.

Sheep in the kraal

Stellenberg built in 1790's was once in a rural setting but is now in the heart of the southern suburbs.

Athol explaining about the wonky, never 100% level building style of the day

Acanthus aka "bear's breeches"

Geranium Maderense originates in Madiera

Moss covered path.

"Balance" a work by Michael Speller etched with the words of a Nelson Mandela speech

The Paradise Garden with shaded swimming pool

Islamic influenced with soft curves and colourful tiles.

    

A splash of colour in Paradise Garden runs up the stone steps towards the Vegetable Garden.

Stellenberg Garden visit 11 October 2016

Leaving a cold and drizzly Elgin Valley behind, we head off to Kenilworth for our 7 th garden club outing of 2016.
The head gardener Athol hosted our 10.30 am tour of the Stellenberg Gardens and homestead of Andrew and Sandy Ovenstone.

http://www.stellenberggardens.co.za

View over the Parterre towards the white garden

Entrance to the Medieval inspired vegetable garden.

Veg garden with central water feature, planted in 4 beds, each with fruit, vegetables, flowers or herbs.

One of the 5 full time gardeners who tend the gardens at Stellenberg.

Debbie and Peta in the nursery

Hedges are trimmed every two weeks to keep them looking pristine

I couldn't resist these two mossy lions on either side of the steps

The White Garden, with Anna, Ann, Peta, Debbie and the lovely
Athol in his sexy socks

It was lovely to have Francie's daughter along for this garden visit.

13 September - Babylonstoren, Franschhoek, Western Cape

Babylonstoren is an absolute treat, well worth the drive and a must as a day out.
You will find that there is certainly something for everyone's taste, it's a jewel in our Western Cape crown.
Hotel, gardens, spa, restaurants, wine cellar, shopping, they cater for functions and host workshops.
https://www.babylonstoren.com/

I did not make this particular outing but I have photos from a visit earlier in February, I hope you enjoy.

Hen getting exercise jumping for the chard. 

Cactus Forest

Insect Hotel, very posh!

Thick mulching under olive trees.

Four roots, none central

These little bird houses remind me of heads on stakes!