On the 21st of January 2015 Bristlecone Nursery held its annual Skeerpoort Market Day for landscapers and clients at their farm in Skeerpoort which is not far from Hartbeespoort Dam. It is always a real treat driving out to their farm beautifully located at the foot of the Magaliesburg mountains.  Each year they go out of their way to make it an enjoyable experience – besides the various suppliers exhibiting their products there is always an open bar, a talented musician filling the garden with atmosphere and a delightful meal. I must compliment their cooks - the food is always exceptional!

Leon & Elize Sholtz run this family business with its notable reputation for quality and this year it is celebrating its 35th year! Bristlecone is known for its variety of grasses and these are on display in an area specifically planted up to see what the species look like in their mature growth form.

Some of the suppliers who were exhibiting included:

Aqua Flora SA specializing in water plants

Madibri Nursery specializing in Ericas, Proteas and other Fynbos plants

Ngena Succulents specializing in Succulents

The garden is full of plants used to their full potential and one of the highlights of the day is exploring the magnificent spaces that they have created.

Around every corner is a new discovery and the variety of colours and textures is enough to make you want to buy your own farm somewhere nearby, fill it with plants from Bristlecone, and spend all day pottering in the garden.

As you walk through the garden you will encounter several unique spaces which together create an impression of creativity and intrigue: a clump of tall bamboo forming a secret hideaway; a lonely bench for contemplation; a vegetable garden with enormous plants guarded by a cheeky scarecrow; an artistic collection of pots and buckets; formal beds of flowering plants; the tortoise enclosure and then finally crossing the wooden bridge edged with Crinum lilies to experience the most glorious sight… a large dam filled to the brim with Lotus flowers and Water Lilies.

A magical place and always a joy to visit.

Please visit http://www.bristlecone.co.za/ for more information.