Listen to Open Gardens in Afrikaans:

Get your open garden inspiration from the pros this growing season. 

Bushveld and big five are all well and good, but sometimes a stroll through a garden is all your soul needs. 

This summer, why not make nature your new best friend? We have found some of the best open gardens in the country for you to take a soul-cleansing walk through and let’s just say – we are excited about the summer season! 

Mpumalanga 

Lowveld Botanical Gardens 

The Nelspruit Municipality decided in 1955 that the town need a botanical garden to encourage tourism, education, and conservation of the region’s varied flora. A planted open garden area (approximately 25 hectares) and a larger tract of uncultivated vegetation make up the Lowveld Botanical Gardens (Sour Lowveld Bushveld). The gardens are traversed by the Crocodile River and Nels River, which together produce some breathtaking cascades. 

Garden Route 

Bosky Dell Rose Garden 

In terms of beautiful backdrops and ideal locations, Plettenberg Bay along the Garden Route is where you’ll find the Bosky Dell Rose Garden. Each year, it serves as the focal point for the Plett Open Gardens, a gathering of gardening aficionados from near and far to take in the blossoms and styles. This two-hectare rose garden has been broken up into well-defined divisions.

Limpopo 

Cheerio Gardens 

The renowned Cheerio Gardens, located in the center of the Magoebaskloof region, are home to hundreds of species of Japanese blooming cherry trees that bloom spectacularly in late September and early October. The greatest time to visit the gardens is in the spring when they are in full bloom, or you can schedule your visit for the annual Magoebaskloof Spring Fair in September when the entire mountain is transformed into a Spring Paradise. 

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Gauteng 

Pretoria Botanical Gardens 

Forming part of the South African Biodiversity Institute, these exceptional gardens, nestled in the Eastern Suburbs of Pretoria offer an easy and accessible retreat in the heart of the city. The Pretoria Botanical Gardens are a must-see. 

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens 

This Garden and Nature Reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife with about 240 bird species recorded on site. A breeding pair of Verreaux’s Eagles nest on the cliffs near the waterfall.  

Free State 

Free State National Botanical Garden (Bloemfontein) 

This colourful garden with meticulous landscaping, paved walkways, and a restaurant overlooking a beautiful dam is one of the city’s top attractions. Visit the Free State National Botanical Garden this summer. 

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