What could be more enjoyable than spending a Sunday afternoon exploring a magnificent garden while sipping a glass of champagne? The Gardens of St Christopher (https://www.gardenofstchristopher.com/) held their Spring Open Garden on Sunday 20 October this year. The gardens are open to public only once a year for a charity fundraising event, although group tours can be arranged by appointment.

The Garden is located at 82 9th Road Hyde Park and has evolved and been extended over time. The owners acquired the adjoining property to expand the garden and full implementation of the garden extension was completed in 2012. I find it remarkable that the owners are willing to share this beautiful space with strangers and admire their generosity since all drinks and eats are sponsored and all proceeds go to the South African Guide-Dogs Association.

Labrador Guide Dog in Garden of St Christopher

This is an interview taken from Alain Elkann Interviews which asks the Landscaper Debby Tenquist who designed the Garden:

You and your partner created the St Christopher Garden, a beautiful enclave in the Hyde Park of Johannesburg. Can you describe it?

Designing the seven acre Garden of St Christopher was a privilege and an opportunity to build a large garden with the ultimate luxury of time. Detailed research was undertaken and interesting ornamental plant collections were amassed. The architecture of the house and the Italian ancestry of the owner prompted an Italianate style garden design with English overtones. An environmentally sensitive approach was employed during the project. We used the stumps of trees we had to remove for a Highgrove-inspired stumpery. This area included a fernery and an unusual collection of large mineral specimens including verdite, sodalite and amethyst which added a tangible energy to that part of the garden. The wood from the felled trees was used for rustic paths in the “Bosco” part of the garden which included the oval reflection pond. The pond was inspired by a similar one by Russell Page designed for Babe Paley at Kiluna Farm on Long Island that sadly no longer exists. The pond is encircled by a bowl of azaleas, acers, dogwoods and flowering cherries that is breath-taking in both spring and autumn. The pond is part of a closed system of three water features that are gravity fed and naturally cleaned by a bog garden in the stumpery. A bird garden and a butterfly-bee garden are aimed at increasing the population of natural wild life. A Neo Renaissance buxus parterre is viewed at a height from a stone clad classical pergola. In front of the house is a 80 meter long tapis vert alongside a 40 meter long and 25 meter deep herbaceous border of blue and white perennials planted in broad drifts anchored by curved buxus hedges that reaches its peak in mid-summer. The garden is home to a wide variety of exotic and indigenous trees including a collection of magnolias, crab apples, flowering cherries, acers and a curated collection of over 200 camellias. The most relaxed part of the garden is a meadow of long grasses with mown pathways that is bisected by a meandering river of Louisiana irises that is traversed by Japanese style bridges.

Curved Buxus Hedges with Urns as Focal Points along Main Lawn Area

The Garden consists of several “Rooms” with each one evoking unique emotions and highlighting different angles and plant material. Large established trees are complimented by foliage from shrubs and an abundance of flowering groundcovers (I have never seen so many Foxgloves!). I thoroughly enjoyed exploring and experiencing the Garden and would find it difficult to choose my favourite part of it.

Stunning Display of Foxgloves and other Flowering Plants

Beautiful Flowers fill this Garden to the Brim

The Highlights of the Garden include the following spaces: Gem Walk and Stumpery, Pergola & Parterre, Tigers Eye Cascade, Reflection Pond and Azalea Bowl, Meadow, Camellia Walk, Bird Garden and Butterfly and Bee Garden.

Tigers Eye Cascade with Otter Sculptures

A few more images showing the foliage, texture and colour combinations of plants within this beautiful garden:

View of the Mountains from Stables Restaurant at Vergelegen

You know you have arrived somewhere special when your heart starts beating slower as you drive down the oak tree lined driveway and approach the entrance gate to Vergelegen Estate. This historic farm was granted to Governer Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1700. Here he built an estate that reflected the Renaissance influence of wealthy estates and palaces in Europe with their symmetrical plans and ornate gardens. Vergelegen was laid out with a double walled octagonal garden, radial avenues, and four flanking outbuildings - the slave lodge, water mill/stable, the wine cellar and the pigeon house.

The gardens are vast and many hours can be spent exploring them. When the estate was taken over by Anglo American group in 1987 they tasked their team to restore the grounds to the historic core of the estate and this emphasis can clearly be felt. There are 17 unique gardens to explore and wander through including: Octagonal Garden, David Austin Rose Garden, Reflection Garden, Rose Garden, Sundial Garden, Bamboo Garden, East Garden (In front of Stables), Agapanthus Garden, Camellia Garden of Excellence, Wetland Garden, Fynbos Garden (Cellar), Hydrangea Garden, Yellowwood Walk, Maple Garden, Oak Arboretum, Camphor Forest, Ginko Trees, and the Children’s Adventure Garden.

Sundial Garden next to the newly renovated Wine Tasting Centre and Stables Restaurant

Information Centre and Wine Tasting is the first building you enter from the Parking Area

The Octagonal garden is bordered by a pergola covered walkway along the perimeter and a beautiful garden within this formal enclosed space. A herbaceous border has been planted on either side of the pathway leading to the Homestead with more large Camphor trees adjacent the building.

There is so much to see on this beautiful estate that you may not fit everything in. I advise exploring the gardens in a clockwise direction from the Information Centre. Starting in the Sundial Garden first make your way to the Octagonal Garden, then the Rose Garden, Camphor Forest, Wetland Walk, Reflection Garden, and ending at the Stables restaurant. If you have kids they will have fun in the play area while you enjoy a glass of wine (or coke) after all the walking. If you still have energy you can do the maze which is made from non fruit bearing vines. Depending on how much time you have will also determine if you can fit in the Maple Tree and Yellowwood Walk into your visit. Remember Camellia peak flowering times are June to August so make sure to fit that in if you’re visiting in winter.

The Camphor Forest is absolutely breathtaking. You feel as if you are transported into another world as you walk through this enchanted landscape. The trees have been grown from seedlings from the ‘Big Five’ which are the five original Camphor trees planted in 1700 situated at the front of the Homestead.

You may also be interested in the refurbished and exquisitely furnished buildings such as the Homestead and Library as well as dining at one of the three venues: Camphors at Vergelegen is the signature restaurant overlooking the lawns and gardens located next to the historic Homestead; Stables at Vergelegen is a more casual dining experience with a lovely play area close by and stunning views of the Hottentots Holland mountain range; and finally the Picnic at Vergelegen can be pre-booked and enjoyed in the incredible Camphor tree forest between November and April.

Playground which is situated next to Stables Restaurant

Vergelegen has a vast and rich history and diverse and beautiful gardens that they clearly put a lot of time and effort into maintaining. A visit to this special estate is a rich and rewarding experience.

(Some of the Photographs are from my visit in 2016 and others were taken at my most recent visit - April 2021)

Contact Info

Address:
Vergelegen Estate | Somerset West, South Africa

Phone:
+27 21 847 2100

Email:
info@vergelegen.co.za

Gardens of St Christopher Spring Open Day 2019

Vergelegen Wine Estate

Contact Info