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The Secret Gardens of the Open Garden Festival
The Secret Gardens of the Open Garden Festival
Gardeners are exterior designers and the special reward that their work lives, grows and offers another look, every season. This week we head over to see just such an Eden in Franschhoek and a competitor in this year’s Open Garden Festival.
This week, we feature one of the best gardens the Cape has to offer. This English country garden, with formal edging, flowing lawns and personal wine and olive farm, is something owners Clive and Joanna Venning are very proud of.
Joanna’s enthusiasm was born of growing up in England where her mother is a very keen gardener and her father a farmer. For his part, Clive has owned several golf courses and is a master at lawns. Together, they boast all the skills required. The entrance to their home suggests a couple who loves to be in touch with Nature and there’s almost as much plant life inside as out.
The lawns are a golfer’s dream, with the pool and terrace is awash in the healthiest looking iceberg roses. Cyprus trees lend structure and height, and while everything is laid out in scale and proportion, it never feels overly formal. The couple have also used soft, loose English plantings where possible and have avoided hard colours, going for a palette of blues, whites, pinks, purples and apricots.
This is one garden that definitely proves what you put in is what you get out.
Step in to this Cape Eden on Top Billing this Thursday at 7:30pm on SABC3.
