Superb Roses in Wakkerstroom

D day finally arrives for organiser, Claudine Tavlet, after months of preparation. Wakkerstroom's first rose competition and open gardens!

Its a flurry of activity, receiving, categorising, labeling and displaying the entrants roses and a heady aroma fills the barn venue on the Rummymede Iris Farm.

We complete the last entrant and stand back to look at the tables, filled with roses and fall silent at the riot of colour not quite believing the full extent of support for this competition

Hybrid Tea - Class 1

Hybrid Tea - bloom floating in clear water

Floribundas - Class 3

Floribundas - Challenge Class 4 and Section C - 5 Roses

Floribundas - Class 5

Section D - One Scented Rose

Ludwig, SA's Rose man, is judging and is assisted by Gail and Gill, 2 ladies from the Midlands Rose Society

They quietly get on with their work and once finished, impart valuable knowledge, tips and encouragement for furture competitions

And the winners are....... First place Hybrid Tea and Queen of the Show

2nd and 3rd place Hybrid Teas

Winners in the floating water category

Winners in Floribundas categories

Winners in Challenge Class 4 and 6

Winners in the Scented Class

Saturday dawns and its another beautiful cloudless morning. I rush off early to view the open gardens. I've selected my favourates:

Tredunnock Farm holds a special place in my heart and its wonderful to be back here but how does one accurately describe or even photograph a garden? Silvia's is a tree filled country garden. Benches are strategically placed for one to sit quietly, reflect and soak up the views

Memories come flooding back as I stroll around, to days gone by, hurrying to be shown a new project or detailed the next new one and I can hear Silvia's laughter in the fluttering leaves. I'm sure she would tell anyone coming into her garden to "slow down and smell the roses oke"

I head back into the village. Ludwig is giving a talk at the Papillon venue and he charms us with his charismatic personality. Wakkerstroomers love their Iceberg roses so he gives us another option in the Panarosa bushes which also flower throughout the season and are hardy. The difference is the 35 varieties of the Panarosa and as I find it in the 2018 catalogue, I can see why these could replace the Icebergs in popularity

Sue owns the Runnymede Iris Farm and she gives an informative talk. Roses and Irises compliment each other wonderfully in the garden and her farm is a stunning, kalidescope of colours not to be missed

Runnymede Iris Farm

After learning about Lavender, herbs and organic gardening, I take myself off for more garden visiting. I've never been to the Wetlands Country Lodge situated not far out of the village on the Wakkerstroom (river). I'm taken to see a huge water oak tree which must be hundreds of years old and am spellbound by the diningroom and veranda view

Water Oak Veranda view

I settle under the shade of an umbrella on the veranda and enjoy a cup of tea and the view

All too soon I'm off again in mad haste to see all I can before the end of the day. I walk into a park-like garden and meet the owner Dan who has been building this masterpiece for years. He knows every plant and answers all my questions. What a labour of love! The pond at the bottom of the garden was also built by Dan and is a favourite afternoon spot. It beckons you to approach, sit, watch and listen as life flourishes around you

Anyone half interested in vegetable gardening HAS to visit the owl house when in Wakkerstroom! Jane has created a self sustainable, eco friendly perma-culture garden. Her ideas are profound and beautifully executed

Circle 1m x 1m veg beds with plastic bottle Plastic bottle recycled green house

irrigation in the center of each bed

Perma-culture garden (spot the recycled water reservoir behind the solar panel!)

Plastic bottle water reservoir

Orchard garden with companion planting. Potato buckets in front. The entire structure to be covered with cloth to keep out the birds but allow the bees in to pollinate

The day culminated in the prizegiving dinner at the Papillon venue and Chef Lizzie incorporated the rose theme into all the delicious dishes. Contratulations to Claudine for a fantastic event

Claudine announcing the prize winners The overall winner, Trudy accepting her prize

The delicious menu

#Rose