2023 Prince Albert Open Gardens
Our inaugural Prince Albert Open Gardens was a perfect opener showcasing what our region’s gardens have to offer. From marvellous medicinal plants, alluring aloes, garden art, organic produce, to havens for reptiles and insects, this event with its twelve open gardens was a successful scene-setter.
Besides talks on regenerative farming practices and organic vegetable growing, guru of garden design, Franchesca Watson, presented Design Thinking for Dry Gardens, supported by our very own Karoo plant ecologist Professor Sue Dean, and garden enthusiast and Kraal Garden owner Malcolm Searle who presented on the realities of maintaining a Karoo dry garden.
Swartberg Pass Wild Walks and Wolwekraal Biodiversity Walks also proved to be a visitor highlight.
Mirtehof
Letters written more than a century ago describe Mirtehof as a paradise that boasted an array of roses, flowers, and fruit trees. With the arrival of the ostrich-era and subsequent ostrich farming, the oasis was consequently transformed into an arid landscape. Come and experienced the resurrected gardens of Mirtehof.
Oasis Farm
Oasis Farm is an historical 1866 farmstead in the Kweekvallei. The 3-hectare farm organically grows an abundance of vegetables, fruits, nuts, berries, olives, and Grenache vines under the guidance of resident foodscaper, Sue Torrance. Freshly harvested produce and products will be available for purchase.
Gay’s Dairy
Experience the beautiful Karoo garden at the back of Gay’s Dairy Farm Shop. Each plant in the garden was carefully selected and planted together with the team from Renu-Karoo to showcase the diverse Karoo shrubs found in the area. Most of the plants are edible species with medicinal properties.
1 Nieuwe Street
Visit this stunning Karoo dry garden emphasising creativity and sustainability. View rock and driftwood creations amongst typical Karoo succulents and aloes, creating a uniquely Prince Albert garden masterpiece that is home to a myriad of insects and birds, including a water station for the koppie tortoises.
Die Blikhuis, De Queekvaleij Estate
Die Blikhuis is a modern indigenous Karoo styled space that effectively brings the outdoors in. The beautifully designed garden is home to many birds and insects, the majestic Swartberg Mountains providing a stunning natural backdrop. Visit the Renu-Karoo pop up nursery on site selling many of the featured plants.
The Story Garden
This unique, water-wise artist’s garden has a life story of transformation: from overgrown jungle of thorny invaders to providing a quiet space for wellbeing. A dry riverbed was landscaped and ‘painted’ using local rocks and plants. Contemplative informal labyrinth pathways and seating areas add to one’s wandering in wonderment.
15 Nieuwe Street
A garden oasis of tranquillity and shade, this Karoo artist’s garden has evolved over two decades. A large rocky plot transformed into a lush tree-lined space with both indigenous and exotic plants emphasising creativity and water wisdom. Succulents, aloes, and aromatic shrubs reflect the artist’s interest in shape, colour, scent.
Nieuweschuur
A small, well designed courtyard garden combining soft and hard landscaping elements in a formal setting using drought-hardy plants, herbs, and fruit trees to include figs, pomegranates, and quince. Elements such as tiles, furniture, artificial lawn, and lighting are cleverly used to create a fun and interactive space.
The Gardener’s Cottage
Meandering paths invite you to explore this rustic garden. Vegetable beds, fruit trees, chickens, wormeries and a beehive can be found in the densely planted garden that is a vibrant, yet peaceful, wildlife haven.
Plants for sale in support of Huis Kweekvallei Retirement Home, cash only.
Renu-Karoo
The Renu-Karoo Nursery offers treasures of indigenous plants and unique succulents, including a wide selection of dwarf Karoo shrubs, Pelargoniums, and other wild plant species. Renowned ecologist Sue Dean and her staff will offer expert advice on plant selection and soil preparation whether for dry climates, stoep gardens or wildlife friendly habitats.
Kraal
Two areas have been designed around an old stone kraal at the heart of this Karoo garden. A formal garden features aloes, wild rosemary, citrus trees, and a working nursery area within low stone walls. In contrast, a harmonious wild garden abounds with wildlife enjoying a savannah of indigenous grasses encircling an eco-dam.
¾ Cottage
This quirky and creative dry garden was developed from scratch in 2018 to reflect the Karoo environment using rocks, tree roots, driftwood, and other unique artefacts creating interest. Pieces of garden art created utilising found objects flow into the indigenous plants giving this space a playful and fun existence.