A Guide to Garden Town Stellenbosch 2024 and Its Unmissable Highlights

Garden Town Stellenbosch is one of South Africa’s most anticipated garden and lifestyle celebrations. Taking place from 25 October to 3 November 2024 (yup, 10 whole days!) visitors are in for a treat. From horticultural beauty to rich cultural experiences and a lot of pretty flowers, there are a lot of exciting things in store. 

I recently went to South Africa’s second-oldest town to find out more about what Stellenbosch has planned. Whether you’re an “Anthophile” or just a person who likes flowers and doesn’t like overcomplicated Latin words, here are some of the things that you can look forward to at this year’s Garden Town Stellenbosch: 

Private Gardens 

Ever wanted to peek into someone’s backyard without getting caught? Now’s your chance! On 25 and 26 October, and again on 1 and 2 November, the lovely residents of Stellenbosch are flinging open their garden gates and allowing you to ooh and aah at their horticultural masterpieces. 

Some of the highlights include: 

• The Gouws Sculpture Garden is known for its formal layout, circular shapes and, as the name implies, a series of sculptures scattered throughout.  

• The Tokara Farm Garden has a one-of-a-kind Adamastor Moss Garden that needs to be seen to be believed. Moss has never looked this epic!

• Droombos is a unique "Story Garden” created as part of the owner's therapy and healing process after some traumatic experiences. It features sculptures in the garden made by the late Xolile Williams.

Photo supplied

Droombos

R40 will get you a single entry, alternatively, R100 day passes are available offering unlimited entries to the private gardens for the given date.

Open Gardens

Showcasing a variety of plant collections, landscaping techniques and sustainable gardening practices, these spaces provide inspiration for gardeners and casual observers alike. While they may be open to the general public year-round, they are often at their best during springtime and are definitely worth a visit. 

Some of the highlights include:

• The Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens - For just R15 (cheaper than a coffee!), you get access to an impressive bonsai tree collection that’ll make you feel like a giant, a peaceful lily pond for your reflective Instagram moment and succulents that are so quirky you’ll question your current houseplants.

• Babylonstoren is home to five hectares of cultivated fruit and vegetables, landscaped to perfection. It may even tempt you to start your own vegetable garden… until you remember your last plant died. But it’s still worth a visit to dream big!

• The Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden is so spectacular it’s like fine art had a love child with landscaping. I recently visited it for the first time and the scale of the sculptures and the vibrancy of the plant life is not something that one can really capture in a photo…but I did try anyway. (Blog post coming soon.)

 Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden

Workshops, Talks and Tours

If you've ever wondered whether your thumb is truly green or just a wishful shade of yellow, this is your chance to find out! A comprehensive programme of educational sessions led by industry experts will cover topics ranging from sustainable gardening to landscape design. You'll learn from the pros, meet other plant nerds and maybe even discover your hidden talent for pruning. 

Some of the highlights include:

• Leivland Café is hosting the Stellenbosch Fynbos and Protea workshop with Nicky Michell on 30 October 2024. You will learn everything you never knew you needed to know about proteas and fynbos as well as how to arrange them. 

Leivland Vineyards

• Ever heard of the Chelsea Flower Show? Well, Leon Kluge is kind of a big deal there, winning all the awards this year …well, three of them. Catch his talk on South Africa’s “Best on Show” floral display at the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden on 29 October.

• On Saturday, 2 November, Diane Harper will facilitate a walk in the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, followed by a Spring Workshop, where participants will be encouraged to express themselves using natural materials sourced directly from the site.

• The Love to Give garden in Kayamandi is a community garden that was established to improve the nutrition of impoverished families in the area and provide skills training. Here you can learn about the techniques they use to run this garden. This event is free to the public but if you’re looking for an opportunity to give back, they welcome donations of seedlings and compost.

Love to Give's garden

Flower Parade 

The Flower Parade on 29 October celebrates local harvest and creativity, bringing the community together in a colourful display. There will be flowers everywhere, people wearing flower crowns and probably a few too many puns about “blooming." People are encouraged to dress for the occasion with florals to the max.

Neelsie Film Festival 

Grab your popcorn and settle in for the ultimate binge-watching experience… of flowers. Yes, you heard right! A curated lineup of garden, nature-themed and "green" films will have you cheering for trees and tearing up over tulips. Who needs Hollywood drama when you’ve got horticulture?

Middedorp Activations 

The heart of Stellenbosch will come alive with floral installations, pop-up gardens and interactive displays, transforming the town centre into a walkable garden experience. Outside the Stellenbosch Town Hall, you can also find a garden show and market from 29 Oct - 3 November.

Adventure Activities 

For those who prefer their plants with a side of adrenaline, Garden Town’s got you covered. From Biodiversity walks to bike tours and guided hikes, there are a number of options for the active and adventurous.

Highlights: 

• Wrap-up ride: The festival concludes with a cycling event on 3 November, allowing participants to experience Stellenbosch’s natural beauty on two wheels. (Lycra optional.)

Garden Town Classics: 

The 2024 event sees the addition of an exciting new highlight Garden Town Classics, an open-air concert set against the backdrop of the historic Stellenbosch Town Hall. This addition promises to elevate the experience with a combination of both visual and auditory delights. After all,  classical music is like flowers for your ears! 

This inaugural open-air concert takes place on 2 November 2024 and can accommodate 400 attendees. It features the Stellenbosch City Orchestra conducted by Dr Paul Loeb van Zuilenburg. It also features local classical stars such as Janel Speelman (soprano), Lynelle Kenned (soprano), Louis Loock (tenor) and Niël Rademan (baritone). The programme showcases beloved melodies from classical, opera and musical theatre repertoires, including some nature-inspired compositions.

A whole lot of peach fuzz

And no, we’re not talking about excess fine hair growth, we’re talking about the Pantone Colour of the Year! Jeanneret Momberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch, explains: “Peach Fuzz embodies the spirit of Garden Town Stellenbosch - warm, inviting and full of life. This hue also perfectly complements our exciting new addition, Garden Town Classics, where music and nature harmonise under the stars. It reflects our commitment to creating a welcoming environment that nurtures both our natural spaces and our community bonds, offering a multisensory experience that celebrates the beauty of Stellenbosch.”  

Photo supplied

Hawksmoor Gardens

So, grab your sunhat, your green thumb (real or imagined) and a love for all things botanical—Garden Town’s about to make you the most cultured plant enthusiast on the block!

For more information or to plan your visit, please go to gardentown.visitstellenbosch.org.

If you want to make a whole weekend of it, check out What to Do in Stellenbosch this Summer.