Explore Twenty of the Best Private Gardens in the Overberg

Every year locals and visitors come to the Elgin, Bot River and Vyeboom areas to see some of the best private gardens in the Overberg. This year you’ll get to explore more than 20 participant gardens, each of which has it’s own special offering from quiet mossy corners to colourful floral corridors.

You’ll get to experience the natural drama of every garden size, style and description. Expect to see everything from wild and enchanted English country to more structured contemporary gardens, perennial, wildflower, woodland, secret, rose, herb, kitchen, and entirely indigenous gardens.

Five garden routes

Taking place over the first two weekends in November, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 until 17:00, Elgin Open Gardens promises to be social, fun and inspirational. Be sure to carefully consider the five different and equally spectacular garden routes. At the very least, you’ll need to come for a day, preferably a weekend or both weekends. You won’t want to miss out on any longstanding favourites or newer, exciting additions to the programme.

Wine, food and more

Many of the local wine estates will be open for walk-in tastings. Teas, light meals and lunches will be served at various local farm stalls, wine farms and restaurants. There will also be numerous painting and sculpture exhibitions.

Fun, unfussy living plant library

The region lends itself to a wetter, cooler climate. While good for apple, pear and wine producing grape production it’s also ideal for some interesting, unusual and indigenous plants. This makes for good neighbours in the form of interesting insect and bird life.

Plants for sale

The area has long been known for its fynbos and roses but you'll be even more inspired by the variety of what’s on offer. Some establishments will have plants for sale for you to purchase and take home to recreate some of the enchantment in your own garden.

Programme and map

A downloadable list of participant gardens and a downloadable map are available online. You can also get a programme inclusive of the list and map from the Elgin Valley Tourism office.

Important information and contact details

Nine of the gardens are wheelchair or partly wheelchair friendly. Most have a small entrance fee, a proportion of which goes to a charity of the owner’s choice. Most gardens do not allow dogs. Should you wish to bring your canine friend, please contact the garden/s you would like to visit and request owner permission. Pet admission is strictly by pre-arranged permission only.

Barbara Knox-Shaw 021 844 0154 / 078 021 2101
Jessie Walton 083 458 3790
www.elginopengardens.co.xa
info@elginopengardens.co.za