home https://dailyfix.co.za/subscribe/ https://dailyfix.co.za/subscribe-to-ideas/ ideas Click to Subscribe

DAILYFIX

Search
  • All
  • Lifestyle
    • Food & Drink
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Work & Money
    • Caring & Giving
  • Recipes
    • Banting
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Main Dishes
    • Pantry
    • Soups & Salads
    • Starters and Sides
    • Vegetarian
  • Style
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Wellness
    • Style Guru
  • Home
    • Décor
    • DIY
    • Fix it with Flair
    • Promotion
  • Garden
    • Garden
    • Pets
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Travel News
    • Share your journey
  • Crafts
    • Templates
  • Win
    • Winners
  • Wedding
  • Test House
  • Shop
    • Fairlady Shop
    • Home Shop
    • Ideas Shop
    • Spree Beauty Shop
  • Garden

    French formality in the Free State

    23 April 2014

    When the City of Roses holds its annual rose festival, Dirkie Herholdt’s garden is always one of the highlights on the itinerary. After many years in the corporate world, Dirkie decided at a moment’s notice in 2002 that she was giving it all up to learn more about plants and start a nursery. Looking at the lush green growth around her house now, it’s difficult to believe that not so long ago, she didn’t know a thing about plants. And though she’s just sold the nursery, she continues to apply her expertise in her own garden. The biggest influence on its layout was the wise advice of British garden designer Marylyn Abbot who said, ‘No matter what you plant in your flowerbeds, the structure and borders create the order.’ That’s the guidance that Dirkie has followed for the past six years.

    Roses in every shade
    The impressive rose garden, inspired by the late doyenne of South African roses, Ester Geldenhuys, stands in what was once a lucerne field. The space was divided into four smaller quarters devoted to, respectively, pink, red, lilac and purple, and apricot coloured roses. Inside these blocks of colour, roses are planted by height, from shrub roses to tall standards, with climbers along the edges. From the last week of October right through to May, the roses in Dirkie’s garden are constantly in bloom.

    Dirkie’s tips
    • Plant roses in your vegetable garden to act as an early warning of diseases.
    • Situate your herb garden near your kitchen.
    • Plant in raised beds or pots for minimal maintenance.
    • Grow strawberries in hanging baskets to keep clear of snails.
    • Sow marigolds to keep insects out of your vegetables.

    Climbing creation

    There's always space for a vegetable garden

    Perfect pergola

    Silver linings

    Circular rooms

    This is a herb garden

    Text and image: Home magazine

    email print

    To have more Dailyfix content delivered directly to your inbox, subscribe to our free newsletters here, or get your Dailyfix by following us on and .

    Email this link to a friend

    • FREE NEWSLETTERS

      Choose from our menu of newsletters to receive the latest from Dailyfix in your inbox:
    • SPREE SPECIALS
      MORE VIDEOS

Other Posts in Garden

  • Garden

    How To Plant Amaryllis

    Garden World horticulturist JJ van Rensburg answers all your gardening queries

  • Pets

    Size Matters

    Does your pet have a weight issue? Here’s what you to need to know…

  • Garden

    Oh-So Sweet

    March and April are the main planting months for sweet peas

More Posts on DAILYFIX

  • Fairlady Shop

    Double-Strap Heel

    Heels with double strap grey, Zoom (R599)

  • Recipes

    Refreshing Coconut Smoothie

    These days, coconut water is readily available at leading supermarkets countrywide

  • Fashion

    Fashion Etiquette

    What you wear can be the first steps of communication between two people

Shop with DAILYFIX

  • Fairlady Shop

    Studded Handbag

    Handbag with small studs pale pink, Style Republic (R399)

  • Fairlady Shop

    Cut-Out Heels

    Strappy heels black, Zoom (R659)

  • Fairlady Shop

    Collarless Coat

    Collarless coat animal print, Next (R1 599)

  • Newsletters
  • Advertise
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DAILYFIX

    Dailyfix copyright Media24.
    Dailyfix is the new online home of Fairlady, Home and Ideas magazines.
    Read more about us here.
    Made by OnNet.
    Sitemap