A vista of 400 rose varieties with the Kaga Mountains as a backdrop welcomes visitors to the MaasstrmFarm Garden.
Current owners Pete and Doreen Freese bought the farm almost five years ago from George and Charlotte van der Watt, who established the main part of the garden during their 25 years on the farm. “We have slowly extended and changed parts of the garden, keeping the formal garden but extending it with more relaxed, informal planting around the edges,” says Doreen.
A magnificent cedar tree, which is thought to be over 150 years old, welcomes visitors to the garden. Pathways connect the various rooms of the garden, with benches placed along them for quiet contemplation. The first garden room is the entrance, under the cedar tree and planted with masses of clivias.
The entrance opens up to a lawn featuring a welcoming fountain, and then leads from the formal rose bushes to a cool shady area planted with fuchsias. A transitional pathway of ivy and clivia takes the visitor further to a large expanse of lawn with informal plantings of roses, buddlejas, watsonias, day lilies and valerian.
This story is from the November 2018 edition of The Gardener.
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This story is from the November 2018 edition of The Gardener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FIRE AND Feathers!
On a dreary winter's day, a screen of fiery and feathery leaves puts up a fight against dullness!
GET THE ladies in!
At this time of year, early-flowering shrubs vie with each other to get the most attention. We say: Trust those with female names for frills and butterflies. They go the extra mile to flower their hearts out.
Vegetable Soups and dumplings
Vegetables make the most delicious soups and classic combinations are always a winner.
Yummy sweet potatoes for your good health
Boiled, baked or braaied, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a delicious and healthy winter comfort food. Just a dollop of butter, a little seasoning and you are good to go.
Pretty and functional
If cooking is your main thing, you would probably be more interested in the culinary value of the three herbs and some of their varieties we are describing.
Dried Seedheads & Pods
Autumn and winter are the best times to see what flowers produce the best seedheads that can be left on the plants to feed the birds and bugs and for harvesting for dried arrangements.
SO MANY FACES and so many choices...
Whoever associated a Cotyledon orbiculata (pig's ear) with the ear of a pig obviously did not know about all the varieties and cultivars this species in the genus Cotyledon has.
COLOURFUL Cold Weather WINNERS!
If it comes to a vote, these dependable shrubs will be the top candidates for prime performance in winter and in other seasons...
What makes a garden sustainable?
It is interesting to note that the United Nations defines sustainable development as: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Nurturing NATURE-The Story of Kraal Garden's Transformation
Nestled within Prince Albert's rustic embrace lies a gem that is a testament to the transformative power of human vision and nature's bounty.
