Page 20 - Landscape130

FEATURE

STEENBERG’S

SPRING GARDENS

Each spring, the landscaped gardens at
Steenberg Wine Estate in the Cape are
renewed and transformed, with design and

plant selection creating a balance between
aesthetics and practicality. In the article
below, Catherine Schulze, MD of Steenberg
Hospitality, responded to questions put to

her by Landscape SA.

Was there a specific brief by Steenberg as to what the spring
Aerial view of Steenberg wine farm garden should look like?
Yes, there is definitely a clear brief on bringing our gardens back to life. For
instance, particular attention and direction is given to the kind of plants used,
their colour palettes and the sequence in which they are planted so that
subtle patterns can be seen. Each section of the garden has a unique type of
plant, colour palette and planting pattern for different forms of enjoyment.
The scented garden, for example, is populated with plants such as salvias,
agapanthus, gardenias, penny royals, sweet viburnum and lavender; during
the warmer months, guests can enjoy various spa treatments, surrounded by
the gentle scents of these plants.
The formal garden is populated with pink and purple such as French
lavender, Ivory beauty, Bridal Pink, and Rhona Beck, making it a favourite spot
for unforgettable events like proposals.
Tryn Restaurant’s Cuvée Room opens up onto an intimate patio with
banquette seating in an ‘L’ formation. Bordering this seating are manicured
hedges which provide privacy and make for a lovely cocktail spot.
Steenberg’s formal garden Our ultimate goal is to create spaces that are subtle but alive – to always
bring something new and unexpected.

Has the original design of the garden been altered? If so, in
what way?
The garden design has definitely changed over time. We have created more
‘curated’ spaces across the property, and along pathways, soft edges have
been formed. We have also hedged many areas to provide more privacy for
guests. Each villa has its own private garden to give a ‘home-away-from-home’
feeling and we have established more flower beds to colour and soften the
environment.
In the past we experimented with planting succulents along the pathway
that led from the barn to our 18-hole championship golf course. While this was
waterwise, we decided to replace them with softer salvias and roses to be more
in line with the look and feel we want to communicate at Steenberg.
Over time, we have also paved pathways, added lighting and landscaped
and softened them with foliage and beautiful flowers. This has taken place at
the entrance to Tryn Restaurant, when walking from hotel rooms to The Pool
House, and elsewhere.
Are the gardens formal or relaxed in appearance
It depends on the space you’re in. There is definitely deliberate structure to
some spaces but we have taken care to balance them with softer, more relaxed
areas. We have incredible soil at Steenberg so in some areas we have allowed
some of the foliage to grow a bit wilder with strategic pruning here and there
for a more natural but still tidy look. There is an expectation that, at our level, the
gardens will always be well-maintained.

Text and photos supplied by Eclipse Communications on behalf of the Steenberg
The sun lawn Wine Farm n

18 Landscape SA • Issue 130 2023