This looks so stunning, and part of the proceeds go to a good cause too!! On Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October, Mulligatawny Farm will host its annual charity open garden in aid of St George’s Turning Point Foundation, which helps young South Africans obtain vocational training.

The 16-hectare garden is situated on a private estate near to Skeerpoort in the Cradle of Humankind and is only open to the public once a year. Mulligatawny Farm garden is the brainchild of Michael Hogan, an artist and interior designer, who has spent the last 15 years transforming a former tobacco farm into a showpiece that draws its inspiration from the great gardens of Europe within a spectacular African setting.

“These gardens are something out of the ordinary: they are vast in scale and everybody who visits them comes back inspired and relaxed. Because they are not ordinarily open to the public, this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to spend a day in beautiful surrounds while supporting a good cause,” says Marianne MacRobert, Chair of the St George’s Turning Point Foundation. “We are delighted to have partnered with top suppliers of food, drink and plants to ensure the best possible experience for our visitors.”

The main refreshment station will, as usual, be a large white marquee looking across a small lake studded with the waterlilies for which the garden is famous, towards the charming folly and the distant Magaliesberg Mountains. Delectables Catering and Events will be providing all the food: a harvest table in the marquee and, nearby, a gourmet-hamburger stall. Coffee and ice-cream stations will be situated here as well as elsewhere in the grounds.

Appellation SA will be offering a range of Vondeling and Miss Molly wines and champagne, while Primal Spirits Distillery will be showcasing its artisanal gins.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to act on the inspiration they receive from the garden by purchasing plants from a variety of leading suppliers. Colourful Splendour Nursery will be marketing a comprehensive range of plants, many of which they supply to the Mulligatawny Farm garden itself. Plantae Orchids will be showcasing their beautiful orchids and other rare plants—they supply many of the plants in the garden’s atmospheric orchid house. And let’s not forget Hadeco, which will have a range of bulbs, garden accessories and fertiliser for sale—and including some open garden specials as well.

Mulligatawny Farm is about a 70-minute drive north of Johannesburg, and 40 minutes from Lanseria Airport. There is safe parking, and a shuttle will drop you at the farm gate (about 800 metres). The garden is very large (16 hectares) so one will need to be moderately fit, wear comfortable walking shoes and have a hat and sunscreen. There are many open areas of water, so children must be supervised at all times. No dogs allowed.

Venue: Farm S86, Skeerpoort, Cradle of Humankind — GPS coordinates: 25°49’03.7″S 27°46’09.3″E
Dates: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October 2019—09h00 to 17h00 (Friday 11 October for groups/clubs only—no food, drinks and plants will be on sale; pre-bookings only)
Tickets: R200; R100—children and students; R150—pensioners; R150—groups of four or more

Get your tickets on Webtickets – here…