Arts writer
WHAT is the pleasure, or obsessive pastime, of visiting Open Gardens? Is it to find inspiration for one’s own plans and schemes for a little piece of Eden, a nosey fascination as to what hidden places lie behind fences and hedges, or our primordial drive to tame nature?
Tucked between the huge Cape Fold mountains of Riviersonderend and the Langeberg lies the pretty village of McGregor. The geography means that this is a rain-shadow, yet spring time brings a rainbow of colours. Dry, stony ground awakens with wild flowers, and cultivated gardens blossom.
The village was planned as a grid of farm smallholdings, fed by lei water. That engineering harnessed precious river supplies and helped nature. The Open Gardens event this weekend, shows the hard work and influence of man working with those combined resources.
It also showcases the historic wealth of our architectural heritage and forebear’s influences over time. For example, Fountain Place guest house occupies the former dwelling of once Mayor, Robin McGregor as descendant of the Reverend after whom the village is named.
A “secret window” in a former cottage wall left standing, offers tantalising glimpses of the garden, fountains and whitewashed building beyond.
Free access tomorrow and Sunday allows you to also see the museum of old photos of this evolved homestead, among others. For an area dependent on a water source, one of the few remaining water-wheel powered mills in the country can be viewed. With the twist of old-technology-meets-new, a night garden is lit by Solar Fox to reveal the majesty of mature oak trees. The Old Mill is now a new spa and visitors could win an ozone treatment there too. Adjacent, the popular inn and restaurant, Green Gables hosts tastings from Lord’s wines to enjoy sundowners in anticipation of this.
The water source of rivers also brought wealth to the village when it was found that imported bamboo grew well, so, whip making developed for the European carts and, later, trams. Of course, it is not just the 11 gardens that are on show as you wander along the quiet lanes, with remnant plantings of bamboo clusters. This, amongst old quince hedgerows – a peculiar throwback to fruit crops that were also farmed there
The residential influence on the break-up of small-holdings means that fields have become varied gardens – from the half-wild, as yet untamed, to the manicured. Founder of McGregor’s decade of Open Gardens, Ann Bedford, acknowledges that Time Out’s agricultural plot from 12 years ago also offers the practical, as well as pleasure in the garden, when in a semi-Karoo climate, you can now sit in the shade of Acacia trees, where there were none.
The Community food garden training project is on show at The Breede Centre. Gardens, not farms, support self-sufficiency with awards given to motivate locals, thanks to Pick n Pay’s Food Basket for Africa programme.
The lei water dams in gardens have become features and are not just functional. At Clouds End farm, the main dam dominates with a high water spout – as foreground to the mountainous backdrop. It is believed that this erf was once a rose farm – plants which still grow in abundance decorating the village and many today supplied by specialist, Ashton Nursery, nearby. A walled garden dedicated to roses also features in the grounds of 96 Long Street. But tamed, cultivated “pets” of plants are far from what the wild botany offers in the unique indigenous and diverse succulents. The National Botanical Karoo Garden at nearby Worcester is kindly donating plant vouchers to the value of R1000, as well as special wildlife books, for visitors to win in a lucky draw over the weekend.
These plant types also feature in a container garden exhibition of wall-pots, created by Millstone Pottery – to be enjoyed while you take a break with refreshments of iced teas made with local Sing Fefur herbs for sale there.
Further, Art in the Garden is being shown on Sunday in the tranquil setting of Temenos retreat. Here, a R30 map guides one around the green landscape to reveal shrines to all faiths and the aesthetics of horticultural harmony.
Enjoy the marvels of nature, toil and abstract ideals this weekend.
l 023 625 1954, or e-mail [email protected]