Famous for its spectacular gardens, the Welgerègen Wine Estate in Somerset West is set to please flower lovers for the next few months.
Dazzling Daisy: Half hectares of orange and yellow Namakland daisys now form a vibrant carpet of flowers near the stable restaurant. These cheerful flowers, already creating their favorite selfie spots, should continue to flower until early August.
Blooming camellias in winter: Vergelegen is home to Africa's only international Camelia Garden of Excellence, with only 39 people worldwide. The best time to see these exquisite pink, white and red flowers is until the end of August, but there are varieties until the end of October.
Want to learn more about these beauty? Currently, bookings for guided Camellia Walks are open from 10am to 12pm on Thursday, July 31st, Friday, August 1st and Saturday, August 2nd.
Tickets are limited to 40 guests per day and cost R295 per person. This includes access to the estate, tours of Camellia Garden with resident gardeners Richard Arm and Chris Randlehoff, and tea or coffee with cakes or scones offered at the charming Café Fleur Studios.
Scented Sweet Peas: The Gardens team struggles to plant sweet peas in their east and sundial gardens. Spring celebrations are on the cards when a pastel palette of pink, blues and lilac explodes in September or October.
Celebrating Garden Weekend: The estate's highly anticipated Garden Weekend runs from Friday, October 17th to Sunday, October 19th and features a guided walk led by a gardener from Vergelegen.
Visitors can also stock up on a selection of plants and trees sold on farms, including hydrangeas, cannas, fox gloves, dianthus, lavender, alstroemeria, salvia, gerbera, and more.
Romantic Roses: Laid out in the estate's traditional octagonal design, the official rose garden in Bergerègen is expected to have a second flash from the last weekend of October to November and February.
Historic Octagonal Garden: Team of Green Fingers refreshes the boundary between two herbaceous lines that line the path to historic homes. Expect peak blooms from October to February.
“The team also planted 400 daffodils from the estate entrance along the driveway, and two rows of weeping soaks near the octagonal garden gate,” says Randolhoff. “Blooming peaches, cherry and crabapple trees should display delicate pink and white flowers in the beginning of spring.”
The gardens provide a perfect day for the family. To entertain young visitors, a new swing has been added to the children's playground near the family-friendly stable restaurant.
The Rose Terrace Room, near Rose Garden, is a great place for light breakfasts and lunches, or for delicious freshly baked cakes and scones.
Real Estate Hours: Monday to Sunday, 08H30–17H00 (last entry for 16h00).
Admission: R20 per person | R10 for pensioners and academics | Free for Monday pensioners.
Camellia Walks: Please book on the Vergelegen website under “Events”. stablesha restaurant: book via stables@vergelegen.co.za or call 021 847 2156
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