Open Garden Meander shows off living works of art

The Johannesburg Garden Club hosted its second annual Garden Meander on 15 and 16 September after its hugely successful initiation last year.

The club was opened in 1951 to help avid gardeners to grow their knowledge about gardening and to beautify their own gardens. Since its inception, the club has donated all the money raised from the club to the Johannesburg Child Welfare.

In previous years, the club had donated its annual subscription fees and the money raised from their annual plant sales. Last year, it was decided to open up some of the members’ gardens for the public to view, which would not only entertain those with a love of beautiful gardens but also allow for the club to raise more money for Johannesburg Child Welfare.

Prue Johnson, the chairperson of the garden club, who has been a member of the club for the past 18 years, said the first Garden Meander had been far more successful than they had anticipated.

“We always used to have our plant sale and last year we decided we needed something different so we introduced the Garden Meander and it was far more successful than our plant sale because it offers the public so much more.

“You can still buy plants but you can see five beautiful gardens and have a lovely day out,” added Johnson. This year five gardens in the Bryanston and Athol areas were on display. There was a tea garden in one of the gardens and smoked salmon and champagne bars in the other gardens.

Last year, about 2 000 people visited the various gardens and Johnson said they hoped to have the same amount of people this year. The gardens in this year’s meander primarily showcased vegetable gardens and water features.

Tamara LePine-Williams displayed her garden during the meander and showcased the large vegetable patch she created on an old tennis court. About three years ago LePine-Williams decided that she really wanted to grow organic vegetables and now grows a wide variety of vegetables which not only feed her family but friends and staff as well. LePine-Williams, along with the help of her gardener, work every day tending to the garden.

Johnson added that for a garden club, which has about 180 members, they have managed to raise a significant amount of money for the Johannesburg Child Welfare, which contributes to a variety of projects.

Details: Prue Johnson prue@jte.co.za

Did you attend the meander? Share your thoughts on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page

Related Articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/207001/enviro-monday-start-planning-bee-friendlier-garden-now/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/187486/what-watering-is-allowed-for-your-garden/