A New Approach

This passionate plantswoman has revitalised her garden using a striking new colour palette

- Marianne Alexander

When my ‘English’ garden was open for charity, the delphiniums and roses were just stunning,” recalls Maureen Viljoen.

Now, eight years down the line, this octogenarian, who’s as passionate as ever about her garden, has done a complete about turn. She recalls announcing to her fellow garden club members that she’d decided to convert it into a Mediterranean garden. However, when she walked around it, she realised that in many ways she was already well on the way to achieving this.

She admits that she has to look the other way when she sees plants she once grew, but one consolation is that, with the drought in Cape Town, there aren’t that many about.

Tall spires of delphiniums, foxgloves and larkspur and dainty violas have given way to more vibrant plants that need less water. Experimenting with a new colour palette has been an interesting challenge for Maureen who has always preferred pastels.