49APRIL 2018 HOUSEANDGARDEN.CO.ZA

GARDENSINSPIRING SPACES, PRACTICAL IDEAS & MUST-HAVE SPECIES

Tucked away in the north-eastern corner of Stellenberg Gardens in Cape Town, uncover the symbolism and romance in a kitchen

garden inspired by ancient medieval principles

CLEAR PURPOSETEXT HEIDI BERTISH PHOTOGRAPHS ELSA YOUNG

he walled garden on the southern side of the Stellenberg property – now called the Garden of Reflection – was originally

earmarked to be the site for the kitchen garden by the late highly-acclaimed designer, David Hicks. Ideas evolved over time and ultimately an unutilised 17x12m area to the north-eastern boundary of the property was felt to be more manageable in size and known to receive just the right amount of morning sun required for planting vegetables, fruit and medicinal herbs. The new position maximized the available space and forced a more considered plant list where nothing would be wasted. ‘Everything that is planted is eaten or used in some way in the garden’ says head gardener, Athol McLaggan.

The garden references ancient medieval monastic gardens of the fifteenth century

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TVEGETABLE AND HERB BEDS PLANTED ON THE DIAGONAL ADD A PLAYFUL ELEMENT, AND A HEALTHY DOSE OF STYLE, TO THE MEDIEVAL-INSPIRED SCHEME

OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM BOTTOM LEFT SWEET PEAS; EUCALYPTUS SEED PODS ATOP BEAN SUPPORTS; CITRUS ‘PALMER NAVEL’ PLANTED IN A FRENCH ANDUZE POT; HANDCRAFTED SUPPORTS MADE FROM BAMBOO POLES AND TWINE; BLOOD-LEAVED SORREL; THE VIEW THROUGH THE ANTIQUE FRENCH ENTRANCE GATES INTO THE KITCHEN GARDEN

and is inspired by the more recent Orsan Gardens at the Prieuré d’Orsan in central France. Tenets of the monastic garden state that everything grown should not only be practical and useful but also display a beauty and simplicity that speaks to the heart and soul of the garden. In this kitchen garden it is the simple details that echo this sentiment, such as the crafted plant supports by gardener Sikhangele Langa, topped with Eucalyptus pods ‘to prevent one from being poked in the eye whilst picking vegetables and herbs,’ he says.

The design elements also hold true to the medieval sentiment running through the garden. The main access paths were designed to reflect the sign of the cross and a hand-chiselled stone water feature, centrally positioned, embodies the monastic principle of water being the source of all life.

PLANTS

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Dig In

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT DELPHINIUMS;

METAL-EDGED PATHWAYS RETAIN THE LOOSE GRAVEL

SURFACING AND LEND AN AIR OF FORMALITY; RHUBARB

In terms of planting, the garden is as it should be – an abundance of seasonal vegetables, fresh fruit, medicinal herbs and flowers. Quince trees hedge the western side, bright strawberries cover the beds in summer, rhubarb, leeks and salad greens jostle side by side in diagonally planted beds and the fragrant, colourful blooms of rose, viola and foxgloves pop through rows of medicinal comfrey, sage and the all-healing Prunella herb. This corner is very much a functional and hard-working area of the garden – providing an endless supply of fresh, seasonal produce to the family kitchen.

Despite all this activity it remains a tranquil and rejuvenating space true to the spirit of medieval gardening. Nourishment for mind, body and soul. n For more information, visit 8 stellenberggardens.co.za

PLANTS

Herbs Sage;

Alecost;Tansy;

Lemon balm; Comfrey; Prunella;

Blood-leaved sorrel; Italian 

parsley

FruitCape

gooseberry; Strawberry; Blueberries; 

Citrus ‘Palmer Navel’; 

Quince

Flowers Campanunula

‘Porscharskayana’; Viola odorata; Primula; Ajuga

reptans; Rose ‘Sharifa Asma’; Delphiniums; Foxgloves; Aquilegia; 

Meadowsweet; Impatiens balsamina; 

Sweet Peas

Vegetables(Plantings are 

done biannually)Summer:

Aubergines; Tomatoes; 

Peppers; Beans; Lettuce; FennelWinter: Broad beans; Kale; 

Cabbage; Leeks

Athol McLaggan gives us the low-down on the succession of seasonal fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers that are planted in the medieval-

inspired Stellenberg kitchen garden