20 CAPE DUTCH GARDENS AND THEIR ARCHITECTURE
View our selection of the top Western Cape Cape Dutch garden landscape designs from the past 15 years. View photographs of their impact on actual gardens while reading commentary about the best indigenous plant choices for the seasons experienced in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Somerset West, and Cape Town. Images courtesy of ARCHITECTCAPEDUTCH and TOP-ARCHITECTS.NO 1. VAN DER STEL MANOR
Stellenbosch Cape Dutch Guest House
This garden is ranked first because to its consistent ability to produce gorgeous rose flowers. The rose, an exotic plant in reality, has evolved into a staple of many Cape Dutch gardens. At Van der Stel Manor, the contemporary Cape Dutch gable is just as authentic as one from three centuries ago. View GLITZYMAGAZINE for best gardens and lakes in the region.
Low werf walls, water features, and pots which are all wonderfully constructed hard landscaping components that compliment the softer hedges and roses in a lovely way. This layout, along with the breathtaking surroundings and thatched Cape Dutch home, should turn this property into a popular tourist destination. Go to GLOSSY-MAGAZINE for more such beautiful parks and gardens.
NO 2. BABYLONSTOREN
ORGANIC GARDENS NEAR PAARL
A Modern Cape Dutch House and the surrounding organic gardens have been built in addition to the existing farmhouse. Educating the public on best practive vegetable gardening, as well as stunning use of indigenous flowering plants, this is a must visit for garden enthusiasts in the Cape.See architectcapetown for architects working on farms in the Helderberg Basin and different styles that may be possible on these stunning erven.
NO 3. RUSTENBERG WINE FARM
Historical House and gardens in Stellenbosch
This breathtaking garden, which has a 300-year history and is still preserved flawlessly, is undoubtedly one of the best kept secrets in the Cape. The water elements, which include fountains and pergodas in the neoclassical style, are arranged according to a sophisticated architectural plan.See also architectcapetown luxury homes designed by some of Cape Town's top architects.
THE MANOR HOUSE
The gabled house, which is in the neoclassical style, is discreetly tucked away amid wide lawns and in front of Simonsberg Mountain.
See PLOTSFORSALECAPETOWN to view plots for sale in top residential estates in Cape Town.
THE NEOCLASSICAL STYLE PERGOLA
A neoclassical style pergola graces the garden and provides opportunities for vines to grow.
See ARCHITECTCAPETOWN for more luxurious designs in the MODERN CAPE DUTCH STYLE.
FLOWERING PLANTS
A wide diversity of flowering indigenous plants makes this an exemplary Cape Dutch garden.
View GLITZYMAGAZINE for best gardens and lakes in the region.
TOPIARY AND HEDGES
This is a superb example of a Cape Dutch garden because to the large variety of native floral plants.
Visit TOP-ARCHITECTS for more luxurious designs in the MODERN CAPE DUTCH STYLE.
DECORATIVE VINES
The way that the architectural arch in the garden wall is seen through the space created by the pergola - all softened by decorative vines and ivy - creates a very special space.
Visit PLOTSFORSALECAPETOWN for gardens and parks with lakes.
NO 4. VERGELEGEN
PARADISE IN SOMERSET WEST
This enormous garden, which is why it ranks first on many lists of Cape Town gardens, features formal architectural features as well as various orchards and unstructured garden areas. View CAPETOWNSPLENDOUR for other gardens with architectural elements that are interwoven.It is these constrasts in the scenes and the way that the visitor experience the change from one to the next, that creates the magical garden experience we all long to see.
See also architectcapetown an interesting style of architecture in unique to the Cape, known as the "Cape Vernacular Style".
EXOTIC AND INDIGENOUS BLEND
The cypress type conifers and bogain villas are not strictly indigenous vegatation but add welcome interesting colours and shapes that are equally as hardy as their indigenous counterparts.
Go to architectcapetown for architects working on farms in the Helderberg Basin and different styles that may be possible on these stunning erven.
THE HEXAGONAL GARDEN
View of the hexagonal walled garden's lawns, bushes, and flowers from the Historical Manor House. Agapanthus, a tough native plant that blooms in the middle of summer, is the source of the purple flowers.
If you wish to buy a plot near here, see PLOTSFORSALECAPETOWN to view vacant land for sale in the Western Cape.
THE CAMPHOR TREES
The camphor trees have been declared national monutments in and of themselves. These seven huge trees have massive gnarled trunks. You are not supposed to climb on them but this little girl did no harm.
Visit PLOTSFORSALECAPETOWN for gardens and parks with lakes.
BOGAIN VILLAS
Again, the bogain villas are exotic plants, but many Cape Dutch gardens are blessed by the splash of colour that these plants provide during the hot summmer months.
See ARCHITECTCAPETOWN for more stunning architecture styles in South Africa.
COMPLIMENTARY PLANTS
The established trees shade areas of delicate shrubbery and ground covers, while exotic plants guarantee a year round splash of colour.
View TOP-ARCHITECTS for an overview of the characteristics of the Cape Dutch building style.
NO 5. BOSCHENDAL
A NATIONAL TREASURE
The gardens at Boschendal are ideal for picnics and weddings. A stunning white pergola has been built amidst immaculate lawns, a pine forest and breathtaking views of Simonsberg. See also architectcapetown luxury homes designed by some of Cape Town's top architects.
A BRAND NEW DAY
At Boschendal, the early mornings in the spring have an almost magical feel.
See GLITZYMAGAZINE to see other houses in the Cape Dutch architectural style.
THE ORCHARDS
Lemons are just one of the many citrus tress growing in orchards on the Estate.
Click on ARCHITECTCAPETOWN to view flower gardens of the Western Cape.
THE MANOR HOUSE
This historical manor house has been declared a National Monument and is one of the few Cape Dutch houses to be open to the public as a museum. The drought resistent "veggie" ground cover is a common way to add a splash of colour to a Cape garden, that can withstand the hot dry summer months.
See ARCHITECTCAPETOWN for another interesting architect designing in Cape Town.
LOURNSFORD WINE FARM
The combination of lakes, rivers indigenous blossoms and established trees, make this the award winning estate that it is. Restaurants and wine tasting venues are there to refresh the traveller.
View CAPETOWNSPLENDOUR for an overview of the characteristics of the Cape Dutch building style.
MORGENHOF
Located on the R44 just north of Stellenbosch, this immaculate garden with topiary and hedges compliments the Italian style architecture. It is however also a good example of a Cape Dutch style garden.
View TOP-ARCHITECTS for an overview of the characteristics of the Cape Dutch building style.
NEETHLINGSHOF
This relaxed garden is structured by a central pathway that leads to as small crossroads with a water feature in it. This is a typical and well executed landscaping configuration.
See TOP-ARCHITECTS for more ideas on how to combine hard lanscping features with ground covers and rose beds.
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To view more stunning Cape Dutch gardens in the Cape Town area. Seen here, a bogain villa adds colour to the gardens at Vergelegen Wine Farm. More to see at ARCHITECTCAPEDUTCH if you find Cape Dutch architecture interesting.
