Above image is not of the Gardens mentioned in the article
Visit to the Beautiful
Stellenberg Gardens –
Sunday 6th November 2011
These tranquil gardens were open to the public on Saturday and Sunday
last week. As I buy most of my plants from their nursery and because Caroline
Magowen, who is now their head gardener, helped me sort out my little garden
when I moved in here 11 years ago, I decided to pay them a visit. These
gardens, about a kilometer from my home and almost next door to a house owned
by my father’s brother, Edgar, in the ‘70’s, have always been
a favourite spot of mine.
We were blessed with a glorious sunny day after a week of inclement
weather. I strolled through the ten
different sections of the gardens and although there were many other people
doing the same thing, I was filled with peace.
It was in fact, like walking through a stately “home” with
the many rooms divided by neatly trimmed hedges and some walls; with water
features and majestic trees including many old oaks. There was a pathway of green moss, running
between some graceful trees, in one section, definitely the home of fairies! The
lawns were so lush and soft that, had I been younger, I might just have rolled
down one of the banks, so inviting were those slopes!
The “Medieval
Garden” is actually
a most interesting vegetable garden with four sections and a fountain in the
middle. Companion vegetables and herbs are laid out in rows, some straight
others diagonal, and there are fruit trees as well, all looking lush and
healthy, much of it ready for picking.
I especially enjoyed the “Garden of Reflection”
which is planted in various shades of green, with a hint of blue and three
“black” ponds made of slate, in which the water was so still the
surrounding trees were perfectly mirrored.
As I walked slowly, deep in thought, I suddenly found myself at the
entrance to the “Cherry Walk” and the trees there were heavy with
the most beautiful clusters of pink and white blossom. What a sight!
I could have spent the whole day there, but unfortunately, I had other
commitments. I will look forward to a return visit next time they open the
gardens to the public.
