More Structure, Less Hassle

A formal design and waterwise solutions have resulted in a beautiful garden that requires little upkeep.

- Maryke Roberts

Alwyn and Maria Neethling’s garden in Langerug, Worcester was always one of the lushest paradises in town. However, it required constant maintenance and the drought in the area over the past few years forced the couple to rethink their space.

“It was a true tropical oasis,” says Maria. “If I fell in love with a plant, I would add it to my garden! But I soon discovered that ‘Iceberg’ roses, lavender, agapanthus, Statice and Carissa do best here – so I planted masses of them.

“We also had about 55 cut rose bushes, Queen palms, date palms, leopard trees, Leyland cypresses, plane trees and Australian brush cherries. But some of them had become badly diseased after 18 years.”

Maria was keen to make a change, and the drought and constant upkeep were just the motivation she was looking for. She says: “My garden had hedges and topiaries that needed constant trimming. Mowing the expansive lawns took half a day! To make matters worse, the plane trees shed all their leaves in winter – it took hours to rake them up – and they also ended up in the pool.”