Bosjes is a truly amazing farm with immense beauty and we spent a lovely morning exploring the gardens and being inspired by the diversity and beauty of the South African landscape.

Bosjes is a privately owned family farm situated in the Breedekloof Valley and surrounded by the picturesque Waaihoek and Slanghoek mountains. It produces olives, wine, grapes, peaches and proteas. The farm has several attractions including Bosjes kombuis, a contemporary restaurant with deli, tea garden and children’s play area as well as luxury accommodation and a Spa.

The Chapel

The chapel is the focal point of the farm and is a dramatic yet serene icon. The white organic shape of the curving roof floats like a dove with its curving wings merging with the blue flowing hills in the far distance. There is an inscription in the pathway leading to the entrance of the chapel that reads “How precious, O God, is Your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of Your wings” from Psalm 36:7.

The Gardens

The layout and landscape was designed by award winning landscape architecture firms and truly creates an experience of feeling part of the landscape. Every view and pause area throughout the gardens has been carefully considered and the journey through the beautiful fynbos brings one close to nature, feeling immersed in the landscape. The site has been designed so that views of the surrounding mountains are always part of the experience. You are constantly aware of, and in connection with, the immediate and greater landscape of the valley.

A meandering walk up a small mound leads you to a look out point and seating area where you can appreciate the length of the site as well as the surrounding views. A water feature where you can walk through two banks of cascading water allows for an immersive and poetic experience of ‘walking through water’ or spiritual baptism.

The gardens consist of a predominantly locally indigenous and endemic plant palette although several plants have been included for their Biblical reference and these have sign boards providing the verse in the Bible where they are mentioned.

Plants with a Biblical reference are sign posted with relevant scripture

There are several garden rooms to explore so make sure you allow enough time to fully enjoy this farm!

The Botha’s Halte Primary School

The Bosjes Trust was conceived by the owners as a tool for social investment. It was established with a vision to create employment and secure a future for the children of the valley. One of the projects, together with the Department of Education, includes the redevelopment of an adjoining school that one can see when entering at the main gate. (https://bosjes.co.za/care/)

We had a wonderful time exploring the gardens and appreciating the beauty of a well designed landscape and our South African culture, heritage and fauna.

See Bosjes Website for more information: https://bosjes.co.za/gardens/

Note that no outside food or pets are allowed onto the grounds.

I first discovered Adene’s Flower Farm through Instagram where her stunning pictures of gigantic flowers made me wonder if these could possibly be real. Since we love beautiful and inspiring places we naturally included Adene’s Flower Farm in our itinerary.

About the Farm

The Flower Farm is situated on a farm called Platvlei Fruit Farm which is a family farm that was purchased by the Nieuwoudts in 1937. Adene Nieuwoudt, the driving force behind the business and beautiful face of the Instagram account, started the flower farm in 2016 after working as a photographer in the wedding industry. The farm has grown considerably over the past few years and is now 5 hectares in size and includes over 200 different varieties of flowers.

The Products

The Flower Farm is dedicated to producing high quality, beautiful and long lasting fresh cut flowers and foliage. They sell their produce (also seeds and tubers) directly to the public, through their website and at markets including the Oranjezicht Market at the Cape Town Waterfront every Saturday and Sunday. This year they will be exporting their Dahlia tubers to Chile, Namibia and Zambia.

Visiting the Farm

The Farm is open to the public for visits from the middle of December to the first week of April on Saturdays and Sundays. A small fee is payable upon entering and includes a map and packet of seeds to take home. There is a coffee shop that serves drinks and light beverages and seating areas under the Oak trees. The tunnels hold a variety of different plants and name boards with a QR code can be found at most flowers. The QR code on these boards can be scanned to link to the website where you can find more information about the flower or add it to your wishlist.

Coffee shop with seating below the Oak Trees

We enjoyed ambling our way through the tunnels bursting with colour and beauty.

For a botanical experience that any flower lover will appreciate a visit to this flower farm in Wolseley in the Cape is highly recommended. Adene is inspirational in her approach of running a business while still making time for her family and I must say that seeing the joy that this brings her it makes me even more certain that #plantsmakepeoplehappy :)

www.adeneflowers.co.za

Instagram @adeneflowers