The featured gardens included the Erasmus garden in Whale Rock Ridge, the Blackbeard garden in Whale Rock Heights and three gardens in Brackenridge Estate - the Hawkes, Jones and Sounes gardens.
The annual event raises much-needed funds for the Plett Animal Welfare Society (Paws) and is more than a garden show - it highlights all aspects of investing into a blooming industry - time, labour, plants … and love.
Marsja Hall-Green, the organiser, and Paws chairperson Di Butlin, were on hand to encourage participation at Ouland Royale restaurant which hosted the popular Paws cake and plant sale and was open all day for coffee, scones and light snacks.
Hall-Green said the garden day attempted to include a variety of gardens - some indigenous, some mixed, but all really spectacular.
While not considered an industry, gardening does benefit other industries such as design, landscaping, nurseries, maintenance and management, and requires capital investment in its own right. "Not to mention the enjoyment it gives home-owners - and the employment opportunities gardening creates," she said.
Double gold award
The Erasmus house garden was a special point of interest, as its design, by Graham von Hoesslin from Harkerville, received a national double gold award for landscape construction with in-house design by Sali (South African Landscape Institute).Von Hoesslin also received the National Shield of Excellence in Landscaping from Sali and was nominated best landscaper in the country in 2021 to 2022 for a garden established in Eastford Estate, Knysna.
Hall-Green said the day was a great success with many visitors."The Plett Open Garden Day brought in over R65 000 for Paws"," said Hall-Green. "We are so grateful to everyone who made a contribution to the success of our popular annual fundraiser."
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