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ESTATE LIVING

Photograph number Caption
0016 At the rose garden one can clearly see how sinkhole risk is minimised by rain water
being led away from around the house to pebble filled channels and safely down the
ridge
0021 A discreet pathway meanders past the distinctive Highveld Kiepersol to explore deep
into the garden
0032 Hard landscaping elements like stone clad walls and steps offset the lush planting of
Freylinia and Dietes
0049 Red Top grasses (Melinis repens) shine luminously in the afternoon sunlight
0057 The garden delights the eye with textures and colours at every turn
0074 From the pool deck the transition from formal landscape into informal natural garden
is clear
0143 The driveway avenue of River bushwillow (Combretum erythrophyllum) underplanted
with natural grasses and weeping anthericum draws visitors into the garden
0200 The natural vegetation on the dolomitic ridge was left largely undisturbed
9966 A family of guinea fowl – “African fairies” – have made their home in this beautiful glade
in the lower garden

MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNING
ENGELBRECHT

GARDEN

Photographed by Ivan Muller www.ivanmullerphotography.com 082 454 8487

he meandering driveway lined with The owners, Marina and Johan, when underfoot. It is a multi-sensory experience
River Bushwillow trees (Combretum planning the garden dreamt of a natural, of birdsong, grasses swishing in the breeze,
Terythrophyllum) and weeping hardy garden that would fit into the natural fragrant leaves and flowers and long vistas
anthericum is as I remember it from my dolomitic ridge and still complement of shapes and textures that please the eye.
first visit to the multiple award-winning the very formal and classical design of As we paused under the protective shade
Engelbrecht garden on an Open Gardens their impressive home. This has been of a wild olive (Olea europaea subsp.
tour back in 2009. I recall the excitement of done so cleverly by a very formal zone Africana) in the lower garden to admire
exploring this unique indigenous garden in the area closest to the house with a a wooden hut nestling in a glade of dietes,
with its very clever blend of formal and rectangular water feature, paving and I fully expected to see fairies at play. It is
informal landscaping. clipped indigenous plant hedges. Flowing truly a magical place. Marina tells me that I
off the formal area is a transition zone would have been more likely to see a family
Janet Mapstone
The landscape architect, Dr Erika Van Den planted with lower growing grasses and of Guineafowl with their new chicks than
Berg, had the vision that species that plants that blend seamlessly into the final fairies. How fitting, an enchanting indigenous
and attentive
audience
did well in the garden would propagate zone of naturally informal landscape and garden complete with African “fairies”.
themselves and that a sustainable garden vegetation endemic to the area.
would develop over time. Ten years have This inspiring garden has matured to
passed and what a privilege to be able Discreet concrete pathways have been deliver the initial design vision and so
to visit the garden again and satisfy my laid throughout the garden allowing one much more: it is a testimony to the passion
curiosity to see whether this had come to to walk and admire the garden from close for indigenous plants and the natural
pass. quarters without crushing any of the plants environment by its creators and custodians.
8 Cornwall View • Issue 2 2019

Cornwall Hill Issue 2 2019.indd 8 2019-03-28 10:10:08 AM