To be enjoyed throughout the seasons
GARDENS
Shortly after Anglo American purchased Vergelegen in 1987, a team was commissioned to restore the Vergelegen gardens and grounds in the historic core of the Estate. The layered historicism approach implemented in restoring the buildings and furnishings, reflecting the best from all the historic periods of the past 300 years, was also adopted in the gardens and a theme of generous and intimate garden areas developed, contrasting the simple with the bold and the formal with the informal.
Octagonal Garden
This was the first garden to be restored, in time for Vergelegen’s hosting of the New World Wine Auction in 1990. The two herbaceous borders flanking the path to the homestead are divided into two distinct seasons – summer and winter. (October to February and April to August).
Peak flowering times
Oct – Feb + Apr – Aug
David Austin Rose Garden
An integral part of the Octagonal Garden, the roses were uprooted and replanted and the damaged original centre fountain replaced with a replica in 2020.
Peak flowering times
Oct – Jan + Feb (2nd flush)
Reflection Garden
A formal, mainly white winter and summer hedged garden has been created to complement the restored north wing of the homestead – dominated by two reflection ponds that align the entrance to the homestead and create a formal entrance to the Camphors restaurant.
Peak flowering times
Summer months (evergreen)
Rose Garden
A formal rose garden, renovated in 2015 and also with an octagonal shape, has been cultivated on the site of the old tennis court (in front of the Picnic Gazebo). The centre piece is a sculpture by Stanislaw Trzebinski entitled “Aphrodite”.
Peak flowering times
Oct – Jan + Feb (2nd flush)
Sundial Garden
The garden was landscaped in 2011-2012 to align it with the newly renovated Stables Restaurant and Wine Tasting Centre. The existing hedges were transplanted in the shape of an octagonal with an operational sun dial in center position. The garden was again upgraded during 2020 and renamed the “Sundial Garden”.
Peak flowering times
All year round – seasonal plantings
Bamboo Garden
This area gives welcome shade when walking from the Sundial Garden to the Library.
Peak flowering times
All year round
East Garden
(in front of Stables)
Opened in December 2012 and situated in front of the Stables Restaurant, the garden incorporates a maze of non-fruit bearing vines, an agapanthus collection, plus an innovative play area for children. An oak arboretum encloses the space on the far east side of the garden.
Peak flowering times
All year round
Agapanthus Garden
Normally in its prime during January, this magnificent garden features 14000 plants, including 21 varietals, planted in a grid formation showcasing the different colours, heights and flowering times.
Peak flowering times
Nov – Feb
Camellia Garden of Excellence
Numerous winter-blooming camellia trees comprise South Africa’s first and only International Camellia Garden of Excellence – one of only 39 such gardens in the world, and the only one in Africa.
Peak flowering times
Jun – Aug
Wetlands Garden
Situated below the Great Lawn and Camellia Garden, this is a restful wetland area with a boardwalk, flourishing arum lilies, indigenous blue water lilies and other plantings.
Peak flowering times
All year round
Fynbos Garden (Cellar)
Reflecting the shape of the Octagonal Garden below, the octagonal shaped winery is situated high on the Estate with 360 views of False Bay, Table Mountain, Cape Town and the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland ranges. A flourishing fynbos garden surrounds the top level of the winery.
Peak flowering times
Nov – Feb
Hydrangea Garden
A mass of hydrangeas brings summer colour to the entrance road and Library area. Known as “Christmas Roses” in South Africa as they are normally in full bloom during December.
Peak flowering times
Dec – Jan
Yellowwood Walk
Vergelegen boasts a yellowwood tree believed to be some 400 years old, surrounded by numerous younger specimens. Visitors can amble along the yellowwood trail after crossing the swing bridge near the Camphors restaurant.
Peak flowering times
Evergreens
Maple Garden
About 50 different varieties of maples (genus: acer), have been planted in the Maple Garden. The saplings grow near the ruins of the historic water mill.
Peak flowering times
Summer months
Oak Arboretum
The oak arboretum houses about 15 oak varieties and helps to conserve pure oak species, as the Estate’s frost-free climate suits their propagation.
Peak flowering times
Summer months
Camphor Forest
Seedlings sourced from Vergelegen’s ‘Big Five’ have grown into a shady camphor forest, now the site of the Estate’s summer picnics.
Peak flowering times
Evergreen
GINKGO TREES
Two ginkgo tree saplings, grown from seeds of a 300-year-old tree that survived the 1945 Hiroshima bombing in Japan, have been planted on behalf of the Green Legacy Hiroshima initiative. Find the saplings at the end of the East Garden, protected by two simple wooden sculptures.
Peak flowering times
Annuals & hedging
Childrens’ Adventure Garden
Designed by OVP & Associates in 2012 as part of the East Garden, this childrens’ adventure garden is situated adjacent to the Stables restaurant.
Peak flowering times
All year round