2024 Prince Albert Open Gardens
Our second annual event saw many visitors return to see how the previous year’s gardens evolved, plus to delight in a few new additions. Gardens struggled with black frost a few weeks before our event and were perhaps not as on form as gardener’s perfectionist tendencies would have hoped, but this was a classic example of the challenges experienced gardening in the Karoo. New and returning visitors were treated to a selection of eight open gardens, plus an inspiring keynote talk on Indigenous Healing Plants by Liana Jansen, interactive talks on Bringing the Veld Back to the Garden with Bertus Fourie, and Organic Vegetable Growing by Sue Torrance, as well as Lydia and Sigri Barrella’s Mineral Collection viewing.
Walks in the Swartberg Pass, on Wolwekraal Nature Reserve, and on Gordon’s Koppie were also absolute crowd pleasers.
Oasis Farm
Sue Torrance & Richard Shapiro: Christina De Wit Street
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.
1 Nieuwe Street
Jenny Reynolds & Patrick Kime
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
Julie & Richard Waterston: De Queekvalleij Estate
Julie and Richard’s 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.
10 Market Street
Monica Gibson
Monica’s garden welcomes you with a burst of colour and feeling of abundance and serenity. Her verge softens the home’s street entrance, while at the stoep a floral panorama awaits. Birds and insects abound thanks to lei water, and what the birds plant Monica keeps. This tranquil space brings her great joy.
Quiet Refuge
Di Smith: Nieuwe Street
This garden is newly developed as part of a new home. It centres around existing trees that have been lovingly nurtured throughout the building process, providing a shady focal point for resident birds. The remainder of the front garden comprises water wise plants set amongst rocks and driftwood. To the south is a small secluded grassed area with a bird friendly water feature.
Renu-Karoo
Sue Den & Bertus Fourie: corner Church and Van Dyk Street
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
Derryn & Malcolm Searle: Meiring Street
Experience the tranquillity of this one-hectare garden with its meandering paths and rich Karoo biodiversity. This wild landscape of indigenous trees, local shrubs and savannah grassland encircles an eco-dam abounding with wildlife. An old cob kraal defines a formal garden with artisanal walls and pergolas leading into a working nursery, aloe collection and orchard.
¾ Cottage
Judith & Pat Hyland: De Beer Street
A relatively new garden which began developing in 2018 reflecting the environment with indigenous plants predominantly, rocks, tree roots, driftwood and artefacts that create interest and embrace the quirkiness of the Karoo. There are also some pieces of garden art dotted around created utilising found objects.