Blending Architecture with Nature
Nestled just outside Paarl, a residential property posed a unique challenge: a home at the heart of an awkwardly shaped plot that bordered a golf course. Landscape designer Margot was tasked with transforming the raw construction site into a cohesive, naturalistic garden that complemented both the architecture and the homeowners’ love of plants. “The brief was clear,” Margot explains. “We wanted a garden that felt organic, inviting, and in harmony with the interiors.”
A Grand Entrance in Green
The driveway was the first canvas. Originally an undefined path through a construction site, Margot redesigned it to incorporate lush greenery. Trees line the route, gradually forming a canopy that leads to a forecourt, while exposed aggregate pavers guide visitors to the contemporary front door. The result is a graceful, almost cinematic journey from street to entrance a subtle prelude to the garden beyond.
Meadows, Benches, and Inviting Pathways
Beyond the driveway, the landscape unfolds like a series of garden rooms. Informal pathways wind toward a central lawn, opening onto a wild, indigenous-style meadow. A custom-designed contemporary bench serves as both a focal point and a quiet retreat, inviting residents and guests to pause and soak in the natural beauty. Every choice of paths, plantings, and seating was crafted to merge the outdoors seamlessly with the home’s interior.
Balancing Views and Architectural Features
A distinctive feature of the house is its first-floor swimming pool, which overlooks the rolling golf course and distant mountains. Rather than centering the garden around this element, Margot focused on creating interconnected garden rooms that wrap around the building. Native grasses and plants were carefully selected to blur the boundary between private property and estate land, ensuring a smooth visual flow.
Texture, Shade, and Seasonal Resilience
Rather than relying on flowers, the garden emphasizes texture, layering various shades of green to create depth and visual interest. Balcony planters brimming with creeping rosemary and aristocratic grasses cascade over the edge, softening the architecture and tying the building directly into the landscape. “The aim was to have the greenery embrace the house,” Margot says, “so the garden feels like a natural extension of the interior.”
From Vision to Reality
Turning design into reality requires meticulous implementation. Monei Rousseau of Marigold Landscaping managed the installation, adjusting soil levels, enriching sandy soil with compost and wood chips, and installing a comprehensive irrigation system. The collaboration between designer and installer has been key: a seamless dialogue that transforms a garden from concept to an immersive, living experience. As Margot notes, “A great house needs a great garden. Without it, the design isn’t complete.”
