Mountain View Tea Gardens
The most impressive
feature of these gardens is the extraordinary combination of well-known plants
used in formal designs, planted with the more unusual varieties to create
inspirational contrasts.
A romantic rose garden
rises to one side of the main paved pathway, where the aptly named Seduction
standard roses are surrounded by a selection of specially chosen rose
varieties. A charming row of Iceberg
standard roses defines the entrance to wide steps, leading upwards through
scented gardenias to a delightful pergola that offers a panoramic view of Mountain
View Tea Gardens.
On the lower terrace,
lush borders feature the richly textured foliage of coleus and cordylines, planted
amongst stunning blue ginger, birds of paradise, and tall standards of
soft rose pink weeping hibiscus, and lead to a formal water feature framed by two
imposing dracaenas.
A knot garden features
low hedges of clipped box, surrounding a statue that rises from a sea of rose
pink vincas, with a backdrop of white and pink sasanqua camellias. Across the
glistening white gravel, inviting terracotta steps lead down to a brilliant
mass of begonias in a formal planting.
The tall stems of
renga renga lilies support a mass of tiny white flowers floating above their
glossy foliage, and lead the eye to another water feature surrounded by white
arum lilies and dark pink alstromerias.
An
impressive clipped hedge of soft blue plumbago surrounds a small grove of
standard citrus trees, whose glossy leaves and ornamental fruits are
complemented by under plantings of bright blue salvias and golden privet.
But the piece de
resistance of the Tea Gardens is the rain forest garden. Under the spreading
branches of a paulownia tree, a boardwalk
invitingly marks the entrance to a lush and shady area where the enormous
foliage of alocasias and philodendrons combine with cycads, palms and birds
nest ferns to surround a large pond.
The fabulous flowers of clivias, orchids and bromeliads are rich and
vibrant in the filtered light, and an unusual bat flower puts on an
extraordinary display.
Mountain View Tea
Gardens are a fine example of innovative formal garden design, to inspire and
delight both gardeners and visitors alike.
To view pictures of the gardens please click HERE
The Gardens
