It’s early afternoon on Day 11 of our South Africa garden tour, and we’ve just arrived in Franschhoek following our tour and lunch at Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West.  We’ve at the delightful home of garden designer/artist Henk Scholtz, who is on his front porch to greet us and tell us a bit about the garden.

We already know, of course, that the garden was featured on Monty Don’s show Around the World in 80 Gardens, a segment in which the host called it “the most photogenic garden” he’d ever visited, adding “at every turn, there’s a composed view”.

Walking in, we pass a spectacular stand of bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae) in the front garden.  How lovely it is to see this gorgeous plant in its native land.

Circling around the house, we come to a gate that would be fairly ordinary steel mesh, were it not for the dozens of sea shells wired to it.  This is our first clue to Henk Scholtz’s particular brand of whimsy, which usually involves an element of recycling or the use of found objects.

The sun is strong today – as it has been almost every day throughout our tour – making photography difficult, but I do want a shot of this fan aloe (Kumara plicatilis), so I can show you…..

….what is arrayed beneath it!  I have no idea what they are – suggestions of candy apples? – but they make me smile.

Strong colour also plays a role in this garden, such as this royal blue wall backing a great rusty pitchfork sculpture.

And what’s this? A plump, happy, ceramic caterpillar lazing on the path.

The back of Henk’s house is shaded with a grape-wreathed pergola. And the small semi-circular lawn is enclosed in hedging, and adorned with precisely-clipped obelisks that would look right at home at Versailles.
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A small water feature nestled perfectly into a hedged enclosure is watched over by Henk’s “security guard”.   (She looks like she might be partying on the job….)

Nevertheless, all these whimsical features demonstrate a decidedly sophisticated talent – not only with garden design, but with the art of mosaic tile.  Look at the mannequin’s lovely shoulder and the shells and mosaic adorning this delightful outdoor shower.

Nearby is a second sculpture, best described as a seashell goddess, with appropriate accessories.

Sitting at the tiled table under the pergola, this is your view of the garden and the mountains beyond…..

…..unless, that is, you’re distracted by the little potted ducklings.

But the truly eye-grabbing destination in the back garden is the neon-pink bougainvillea cascading romantically in front of the neon-pink garden shed.

Sometimes, more is definitely more! Thank you, Henk Scholtz for reminding us that gardening needn’t be serious to be really good.  And we’ll close the gate as we leave.