Little Wonder

This courtyard in the Mother City is a great example of what gardens of the future might look like: compact but cleverly designed.

- Elna van der Merwe

When the drought in Cape Town started to tighten its grip in 2017, Louis Heyneman, chief executive of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, posted something on Facebook that infuriated many people.

“I said that perhaps the building regulations should be changed so that everyone would be forced to save water and electricity. People were angry with me for suggesting that punitive measures should be taken against those who did not comply with these regulations. They said that such measures would push up construction costs even further.”

But later, when the drought worsened, people began to realise that something would have to change.

“If the Cape doesn’t have sufficient water for its residents, we have to think differently about our gardens; we have to start being more environmentally friendly,” says Louis. “And not just here, but around the world.”

Louis is fortunate in that the house he bought 10 years ago was designed with ecofriendly principles in mind. “There are huge tanks in the basement that collect rainwater, which is then pumped to the laundry, showers and garden,” he explains.

So it’s not surprising that his garden is compact and planted up with waterwise species. “I’m not in favour of large gardens that use copious amounts of water. A small garden that can look after itself is essential.”

Louis describes his garden as “a green courtyard”, not an expertly trimmed, manicured space.

“I think that’s what the gardens of the future will look like: they will be top quality small spaces, well protected from the wind.”