Arderne Gardens
Monthly tour of the gardens, situated in Claremont, Cape Town, on the first Saturday of every month at 10:00. Visit www.ardernegardens.org.za to find out more.
2026 Garden Day
Sunday 18th October
From 09:00 and 12:00: Join the CHS at the Upper Liesbeek River Garden (poster on the home page)
2026 Open Gardens:
Noordhoek Open Gardens
Saturday 17th October to Sunday 18th October.
Time:10am to 3pm
There will be 11 open gardens featuring a variety of large gardens, indigenous, and small to medium gardens.
Brochures will be online in September and at various nurseries.
Helderberg Open Gardens
Friday 23rd October to Sunday 25th October
Times: 9am to 4pm
Entrance: Pensioners R120, Adults R140, children free
See: www.helderberghospice.org.za
Avondale Wine Estate Open Gardens
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October
Times : 9.30am to 4pm
R70 entry at the entrance, children under 12 free.
Enquiries: www.avondalewine.co.za
Stellenbosch Garden Town
This year it runs over two weekends – Friday 23rd to Saturday 24th October; Friday 30th to Saturday 31st October. It is a garden lifestyle celebration offering a variety of vibrant botanical displays, workshops, talks and unique garden tours. Garden Town Stellenbosch aims to celebrate the universal love of gardening and to foster a stronger, more connected community.
For more information and the full programme of events: www.gardentown.visitstellenbosch.org. Details will be available by September on the site.
Water Oak Farm Open Day (SARDA)
Saturday 31st October
Address: At the end of Klein Constantia Road, past the boom
Time: 9 to 5pm
Enquiries: 082 795 4074
Tickets: R75 pp, children under 12 free. Tickets available at the gate.
Rustenberg Open Gardens
Friday 30th October – Sunday 1st November
9am – 4.30pm
This is the Barlow’s private garden, only open for these 3 days yearly.
Schoongezicht – this is where the Rustenberg wine tasting takes place. This garden is so worth visiting and is nearby the main Rustenberg. This garden luckily is open year round for the public whereas the Rustenberg garden is only open on this one weekend of the year.
Entrance at the gate is R50 for both gardens. No booking required. There are plants available to buy and refreshments served under the oaks.
For more information see www.rustenberg.co.za
Franschhoek Floral Festival and Plant Sale alongside the Franschhoek Lions Ladies
October 31st and 1st November.
The traditional open gardens are taking a break for 2026 and it will not run its usual private garden routes.
Instead the community is hosting the special Floral Festival.
This will include plant sales, floral displays and specialist talks.
Cell 073 535 0007
Elgin Open Gardens
Sat 31st October and Sunday 1st November
Sat 7th November and Sunday 8th November
9.30am to 4 pm
Entry: Each garden has its own price (some are free)
Many have plant sales, teas or lunches
Two gardens to mention:
This year Fairholme is back on the list. This is the garden previously owned by Duncan and Liz Henderson, now the home of daughter and garden designer, Mary Maurel. Definitely one to see.
Windermere is another addition. Dating from 1937, this was the first garden that was open to the public in the Elgin area many years ago. Created by Lady Lucie Bourne, some of the original cherry trees sent from England have survived. New owners are restoring the garden and have removed overgrown bushes to reveal original stone terraces and paths.
The other gardens which will be open:
Auldearn, Elgin Vintners Country House, Fresh Woods, Keurbos Nursery Garden, Lavenham, Sonop, The Stone Kitchen, Houw Hoek Outspaan, Wildekrans Guest House (They also have artworks on display)
Shadowlands Nursery Friends and Family Open Day, Kuilsriver
Saturday 7th November
The speaker for the day will be Tanya Visser.