The pavilion, designed by David Hicks, faces both the pool in front and the tennis court to the side. ‘It is mostly used by our grown-up children now, but in summer we entertain there,’ says Neville.
The pavilion, designed by David Hicks, faces both the pool in front and the tennis court to the side. ‘It is mostly used by our grown-up children now, but in summer we entertain there,’ says Neville.
All the pots were planted up with brush cherry (Syzygium paniculatum) and common box (Buxus sempervirens), which were topiaried to give the front of the farmhouse a more interesting façade. The owners, tired of the David Hicks signature green look, introduced a few pots with some colourful petunias massed in terracotta pots, replacing them with pansies in winter.
‘Wood rots easily here,’ explains Neville, ‘so we had the gazebo remade in metal to the exact specifications. It was originally a rose garden, but as trees grew larger, it became too shady and nothing flowered.’ The area has now been changed into a geometric design of clipped Buxus sempervirens.
Situated in the Caversham Valley of KwaZulu-Natal, this 1864 country garden was originally owned by Scottish settlers. Over the years, the son who inherited the land squandered the money, preferring to pursue his love of polo and other sporting activities.
Present owners Neville and Helen Schaeffer, who have been there for 25 years, inherited a rather derelict garden. They appointed the legendary British gentleman of design, David Hicks, to restore it to its former glory. Hicks insisted that he wanted to give his clients what he humbly called ‘a nice comfy garden’. Neville relates: ‘David would fly out from London for one night, take loads of photographs, then post them back with all sorts of scribbles over them to indicate what we needed to do.’
Renowned horticulturist Keith Kirsten was then appointed to implement the planting plan and provide the correct plants, while talented interior designer Peter Siddons was the project manager. Today, the garden is picture-perfect and Helen lovingly continues to care for and maintain the Hicks legacy in this ‘comfy garden’.
A metal urn imported from France.
‘Our original brief to David Hicks was for an English park to which he retorted “don’t be ridiculous you’re living in Africa!”’