Home tour: A serene estate surrounded by layered gardens in South Africa

When Stander and Ferreira purchased the property almost two decades ago, they were attracted in part by its location—nestled on the edge of Knysna Forest, a patch of wilderness located close to the coast and characterised by indigenous afromontane vegetation, which has also long been renowned as one of South Africa’s loveliest places. The property featured an original woodcutter’s adobe brickhouse as well as several other structures, including a pair of timber cottages. 

“The buildings were neat and beautifully built with basic materials and minimal fittings,” they recall. “Small pockets of garden with larger areas of lawn surrounded the buildings, and the rest of the 1.75 hectares of land was maintained with a tractor-mounted mower that kept the field low, promoting the growth of buffalo grass. Scattered with Australian blackwood and pine, it had a good number of water tanks for storage of rainwater, which is the only source of water. It was very liveable and basically a clean palette for our vision.”

It is almost impossible to imagine Highacre as it once was. Today, its lush, layered gardens bear little resemblance to their former state. And initially at least, realising their vision was a challenge. Highacre is on the edge of an indigenous forest reserve, so “initially, wildlife such as baboons, bushbuck, porcupines and bushpigs raided newly planted areas”, they say. “We had to fence off a section of the garden and in time, we managed to protect our territory with our family of dogs.” This wonderfully disparate pack—there are currently 12 canines in all, ranging in size and breed from a diminutive yet very assertive Jack Russell Terrier to gentle but incredibly speedy giant Boerwindhonde—roams the garden freely, forming an effective deterrent against baboons in particular.

Marauding wildlife was not the only challenge encountered. Heavy clay with a relatively thin layer of topsoil necessitated painstakingly labour-intensive and time-consuming preparation of the soil during each phase of the development of the garden. In several areas, too, “we used permaculture practices to prepare areas for planting”, say the owners.

With the absence of an existing irrigation system and rainwater as its sole source, water conservation remains an ongoing priority. “Watering only when needed has ensured a garden that would be resilient over time,” they say. This area does usually get fairly good rainfall—although of course it can vary in a time of climate change—but the abundant feel of all of Highacre’s various garden spaces is a result of careful soil preparation, ecologically sensitive planting and wise water planning.

Highacre now features multiple different spaces, each with its own distinct identity and atmosphere. Overall, the garden is a masterclass in beautifully textured, naturalistic planting, and incorporates a large pond and surrounding wetland, an area that at the height of summer overflows with the blooms of 19 different species of agapanthus, a restful round lawn surrounded by walled seating that defines its circle, an elegant gravelled walk enclosed by high hedges, a fragrant rose garden and an abundance of beautiful trees. All of the various spaces of the garden are linked via pathways that twine through the landscape, enabling visitors to meander at leisure and wherever they please.

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In addition, there is the delightfully layered and rustic conservatory, which is both a variably semi- to fully enclosed greenhouse in which potted plants can be nurtured, and a wonderful space in which small events are hosted. Combining the conservatory with the beautiful garden pavilion—a fairly newly developed part of Highacre that straddles the boundary between the more intensely developed garden and the natural environment, and is accessible via an elongated pergola—makes for a truly special environment in which to celebrate a wedding or a birthday. Two charmingly appointed guest cottages provide overnight accommodation for visitors.

The creative owners might focus their attention in different realms, with Stander mainly working in landscape design and Ferreira taking the lead on events and floristry, but their mutual love of plants is clearly key to both their professional and personal lives. When asked what it is about working with plants that has always attracted them, they respond: “Their presence as a life force in our environment—and how they can be grown, nurtured and shaped to fulfil a desired function in the garden.”

Stander’s office and landscaping yard are located on the property, making Highacre a busy place on a daily bais, while Ferreira’s studio in the nearby town of Knysna, where he keeps a collection of vases, furniture, glassware, cutlery and crockery for the events sude of their business, is also invariably a hive of activity. But the Highacre garden itself remains a focus. This is their home as well as a place for hosting events and guests, and they “spend as much time as possible here to make sure that it is continually developed, kept in a beautiful state and nurtured sufficiently”.

Unique and special places—especially gardens—can’t be brought into existence overnight. It has taken many years of effort and care to create Highacre; as Stander and Ferreira declare: “We consider each space and project very carefully, regarding function and aesthetic before we manifest a space. Sometimes we contemplate for a long time, and when the installation happens, it draws from all those thoughts, discussions and dreams.” Their combined aesthetic skills, plus bucketloads of patience, dedication and hard work, have enabled the development of this unique and special place, which “celebrates the botanical realm” in a way that is sure to inspire and invigorate those fortunate enough to visit it in person for many years to come.

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