A GARDEN OF WHIMSY & DELIGHT IN FRANSCHHOEK, SOUTH AFRICA

FRANSCHHOEK IS NOT ONLY THE CULINARY CAPITAL OF SOUTH AFRICA, NESTLED IN A VALLEY SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS, AWASH WITH SUNSHINE AND GRAPE VINES, BUT ALSO HAS SOME OF THE MOST STUNNING ARCHITECTURE AND GARDENS I HAVE EVER SEEN.  BUT THEN AGAIN, I AM BIASED……..

This little thatched cottage in the middle of the village has an abundance of plants that spill out onto the pavement.

As you approach the front gate, you realize that this place is something different, unlike anything I have seen before.  It is a garden gallery of plants, collectibles, found objects, an artful creation.

On either side of the stone pathway, 2 majestic Fever Trees (Acacia Xanthophloea), stand out with their green bark - a native to Eastern & Southern Africa.

The garden gate says it all - creativity abounds.  It starts with shells and beads dressing up an otherwise very boring entrance gate.

Once inside the gate, the narrow stone pathway, flanked by orange Strelizia, another native of South Africa (I gloat), directs you to a grape vine covered patio.

Now this is different, an amazing woodpile on either side of the door, with 2 baboon statues daring you to come on up.  I have to love the wood pergola covered with grape vines and the simple terra-cotta pots on either side of the brick steps.

And so the pieces of art begin - an old car tire turned inside out, cut into a design and decorated with oyster shells.  Fun.

Branches of twigs tied up to look like broomsticks and covered with a pop of red ads color and interest.  

This lovely lady is just trashy - bedecked with a rusty tin can top skirt, shells, mosaics and other rusty pieces for a hat - isn't she lovely.  An interesting woodpile and tree trunks painted white to contrast the background.

In all her glory.

A great collection of indigenous aloes and succulents.

Yet another gate dressed up in seashells, mosaic edging and found objects add something different to a gorgeous specimen plant.

Old rusty tin can and pot lids, garden tools and barbed wire look stunning against that brilliant blue painted wall.

A simple outdoor shower, a little privacy - I love the use of Perlemoen shells (Abalone), to disguise the plumbing pipes.

Even the rows of bamboo sticks, accentuating the curves of the beds, do not go unadorned.  Pods from gum trees sit on top of each and every one, natures finial.

Another gorgeous creature watches you walk by.

The back patio is a peaceful, cool retreat, overlooking the "gallery".

An interesting mobile using rusty tin can lids, beads, stones and a lovely long arm of driftwood.  That hand on the end is so elegant.

The lovely lady holding a large shell for water? birdseed? or just to look pretty.  A glimpse of the mountains in the background which are a backdrop to the entire village of Franschhoek.

The back patio.

In a secret little nook, again old rubber tires turned inside out and cut into decorative containers with vegetables and herbs growing in them. 

And the path leading back out, now I'm homesick.