Sunday, November 6, 2011

Fay Bentley's Garden [Franschhoek Open Garden 2011]

Hello. I'm one of the seven Persians whose function it is to add beauty and grace to Fay's garden.
This altogether delightful, small garden of complimentary mixed plantings, has been featured in several magazines. That Fay is truly passionate about her garden is evident in every step one takes.


This is the view that you encounter upon taking your first steps into Fay's lovely  garden. 


It is awe inspiring to discover the wealth of lovely plants she has successfully managed to provide a home for, in much the same way that it was a surprise to learn she provides a home to no fewer than seven Persian cats, most of whom have been given to her as rescues.

We met a couple quietly resting in this beautiful sanctuary.
Although Fay's was the smallest of the gardens on show, it demanded the same level of attention and appreciation as did the largest! 



To say that this garden has been created with love is, I believe, an apt testimony to what Fay has achieved so superbly on a plot that was little more than a barren wasteland when she bought her older, Franschhoek home 8 years ago.   


Fay has a gardener to help her once a week, otherwise she does it all herself. For anyone out there who has assumed Fay must be a young woman, she is well over 50 and probably in her 60s, although she wears as well as her garden. A tiny person, she resembled one of her glorious flowers in her pretty bright outfit and large floral hat.

We took a couple of wide-angled shots to give a wider perspective of this incredibly lovely garden.

Fay has the healthiest roses growing everywhere and the colours were unbelievable.

Every plant in this small garden is in peak health and there was barely a dead flower head to be found anywhere!


To say that this garden is tenderly cared for almost seems to be an understatement!






















Fay has incorporated herbs and veggies in amongst the flowers and pavers in this section of her garden. Once again, everything is a picture of health and vitality



























There is magic everywhere in this exquisite garden! 

Thank you, Fay Bentley, for inviting us to view your gracious garden!

42 comments:

  1. Good evening Desiree, Hope you're fine.
    Beautiful photos - I love the roses. Very cute cats :)
    Wishing you a great Sunday evening!
    Hugs x

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  2. What a beautiful colorful garden !! and what a sweet cats !!!....love from me. Ria...xxx....

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  3. Such amazing colours and flowers, lucky you!

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  4. What a joy this was, Desiree! Your pictures make Fay's garden look huge even though you say it's not. Fay started with a barren space and filled it to maximum effect much like an artist adds dashes of color and detail to a blank canvas. Strategically placed resting spots are very important. I can imagine tea for two at that intimate little table. The meandering paver walkways lead the visitor through a wide variety of plants and flowers accented by whimsical animal figures. I love the hippo! Glorious mountain peaks rise up to create a stunning backdrop. Fay's gorgeous cats are the finishing touch that add elegance and mystery to her garden. Who could not love those furry works of art? A lush, beautiful, inviting setting like this one doesn't happen by chance. It takes planning, lots of work and careful maintenance. I salute Fay for the magnificent garden that she has created and I thank you for showing it to me, Desiree! Have a wonderful week ahead, dear friend!

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  5. To me it looks like a story book wonderland - I have never seen anything so beautiful. Photo number 8 is my favorite. Gorgeous Fay Bentley Garden! sandie

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  6. I don't think I could beat Tom's comments--LOL! This is just a stunning garden. The roses are magnificent and I love all the whimsical animals made with imaginative materials and scattered about the garden. The cats must love it there! Your photos take me with you, as always. I meandered and pet the cats and sat on the benches...it was heavenly! Thanks, Desiree!! :):)

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  7. This one was so whimsical for me. I loved it and the cats were gorgeous too. Unless they were boys then they are handsome little devils. lol I particularly loved these photo's. If I ever get some land this is what I would like to do.

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  8. You know I needed something bright and cheery today and these pictures did exactly that. Thank you! Gorgeous. I can't imagine keeping up with a garden like that. I can't even grow a lousy weed!! haha.

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  9. wauw what a great cat.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  10. Dear Desiree, thank you once again for introducing beauty into my life. This garden with its arcs of roses--some of which seem to be the wild roses that were part of my childhood--and its recumbent felines offered me its contentment.

    Cats have been and are my family. They teach me to live this moment and this garden you share with us today brought me welcomed me to the silent moment of simplicity achieved through a panorama of color and design.

    Peace I bring you from this garden.

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  11. wow! this makes me want to grow roses! I could almost smell the wonderful scent! You take gorgeous landscape photos. The cats look as though they could care less about the garden visitors!

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  12. What a very pretty garden! Her roses are so lush and leafy and colorful, and that is no easy feat. And as a cat lover, how can I not be seduced by those sweet kitties? The pictures of the Himalayn sleeping on the chair had me awwwwwing audibly.

    My sister's dog HAS won my heart, I just really loved him up. If my husband were not allergic, I would have a dog in a jiffy. If I were living alone, I would definitely have a dog -- a big one.

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  13. so incredibly beautiful! such vivid colors and lush, overflowing rose bushes and grasses! and those scowly cats just make me laugh.

    this woman must enjoy her labor of love! what a wonder!

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  14. This garden is wonderful and so rampant chockful of colour and the fragrance must be heavenly! Lucky kitties!

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  15. Hi Desiree, As you know I am back from my travels and I am now busy catching up with all my favourite bloggers. It is taking awhile as you have all been so productive in my absence. I have enjoyed all your recent posts about Franschhoek with a cup this afternoon. I would love to see for myself one day. Thankyou for the recent comments you have left on News From Italy which are much appreciated.

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  16. YES, what a magical place!! her gardens must be MORE than full time to take care of...even with help!! everything is so lush and beautiful!! your pictures are gorgeous....breathtaking scenery!

    that little piggy is cute...and so are the kitties...wow! seven persians!! that's a lot of FUR to keep up with! my mother in law has one persian and i can't stay long at her place...sneeze sneeze!!

    sorry i've missed so many of your wonderful posts desiree...i'm trying my best to catch up...there's just not enough time in a day!! :)

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  17. Oh thank you once again for the lovely trip I felt like I really enjoyed the journey with you. Your photos are fabulous. Thank you I really needed that.
    I want to thank you also for the wonderful comments on my blog. They truly mean so much to me you will never really know. Your comments are like stories I will carry with me through the hard times. Thank you. B

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  18. It looks very English (except for the lemons) and beautifully tended.

    The cats would make me itch and sneeze, but I love the pig!!

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  19. Hi Desiree, I've been enjoying the beautiful, in fact outstanding gardens in South Africa with complete gob smacked amazement. Thank you so much for giving us these flowers and gardens...reading your post actually has an uplifting affect. How can one be troubled when they walk in the garden with you?

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  20. Oh Desiree, that is MY sort of garden. Isn't it amazing, and all those plants and flowers packed in there. The roses were gorgeous, and I love all the little seating areas dotted around. I just wish that I could have been visiting the garden with you. What beautiful colours as well. Do you mind me asking what sort of camera that you have that takes all these super photoes. I am going to ask for a new one for Christmas, and yours produces such wonderful photos, that I would be interested to know the make and model. Hugs my friend.

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  21. She did all that in 8 years?? That's amazing! And, the fact that she takes care of it practically all by herself is also amazing! Once again, you've done a fantastic job is sharing this beautiful garden with us. I love the last picture, and I love those fluffy cats!

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  22. Wow! Such a beautiful garden. Is it any wonder that it has made an appearance in magazines! Does Fay love roses or do roes love her. Both I think! That wall of pink roses kept stealing the scene in many of your shots, Desiree. Your photography is terrific!

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  23. such a beautiful flower garden and the cat is so sweet.
    greetings from the netherlands

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  24. This little Persian will certainly add beauty and grace to any garden. Blessings, Catherine xo

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  25. A feast for the senses! So many whimsical touches and the kitties just add to the ambiance! Her profusion of blooms is amazing.

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  26. Talk about 'eye candy'. What a beautiful garden. I wish it was mine. She must spend hours every day tending to it. But how proud she must feel. There are so many different blooms and the roses are fabulous. Thank you for taking us along.

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  27. Dear Desiree,
    Wow, beautiful Fay's gorgeous garden with cats and roses♡♡♡
    Yes, I always admire the comments of Mr. Shady.
    Hehe, I'll leave the compliments to your pictures for him. And tell you what my hubby said after seeing your pictures. "Do you know how many pics in there?" He has noticed more than 50 splendid pics here. I said that I haven't realised that many bacause I enjoyed every one of them♫♫♫
    Blessing to you, xoxo Orchid*

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  28. One thing can be said for you Des and that is that you are consistent. Every post I have seen from you has been so beautifully done and this one is awesome. As Shady so well put it you have made the smallest garden look magnificent and I am sure Fay will be so pleased with your presentation. Everything I saw spoke perfection and beauty. Some of the flowers I had not seen before but were so unique and beautiful I had to stop and just let it soak into my gaze. Although I am not a huge fan of cats, Fay's cats were quite lovely. Thank you for another wonderful tour and you have made my tuesday morning here at the beach. Have a wonderful week.
    Hugs,
    Odie

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  29. Desiree, this garden is one that every garden lover dreams of. One could never tell of a garden like this in any other way than photo's and yours are stunning in their beauty! Pursian cats are just beautiful and I always wanted one. I've gotten over that desire but it was wonderful to see the photo's of Fay's. Thank you for all the trouble you go to for us. This is a garden I will always remember.
    Much love to you!!
    Mona

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  30. I am absolutely amazed at the sunny Springtime beauty of this place, as captured in your typically awesome photography. Looking back and forth from the rainy autumn day, outside - the puddles of water on the driveway, and the colorful puddles of leaves under the trees - to these photos brought me the familiar and happy feeling of renewal, cycles, growth... Thank you for sharing.

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  31. Another beautiful garden! And this one has cats! I love Persians. I have a Persian named Percy and he is just the sweetest baby!

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  32. This may very well be my favorite so far! You're right, the garden does seem tenderly nurtured! I wanted to sit on that little green bench and daydream. For a really long time!

    And Tucker wants to play with the kitties. LOL

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  33. Such a lovely garden! And roses everywhere, I can only imagine the perfume in the air.
    I miss visiting your blog too. I'm sorry, I'm really busy with work (finally got a job).
    I hope you and your family are well. I'm sure your garden is blooming nicely already...

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  34. Love the garden photos, it is so fun to be able to share and to visit gardens I may not otherwise be able to see! Gorgeous cat! Reminds me of my Valentine - I miss her!
    I have enjoyed my visit to your blog,
    your newest follower!
    Kathy

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  35. Those pictures are gorgeous and those cats are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful place. I REALLY wish I had the desire and patience and knowledge to plant a garden, but I don't. I love these photos, though!

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  36. This was a beautiful but very long post Love those cats and all the flora.

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  37. Desiree,
    This photo is awesome, you are a really talented photographer. Thanks for your kind comments over at the LG Report, I would love to meet you some day in person (even though you referred to Bossy Betty and my wife as prostitutes when you said they were "Hoe wonderful!" Seriously, I really appreciate your readership and comments, thanks!

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  38. Simply beautifully captured shots...a lovely place to be and get lost in the beauty of nature!

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  39. Boo Hoo I am right down here under all these comments - proof that I have been neglecting my favourite blog and blogger. Better pull my socks up and get here early next time. I love Persian cats - they are so pretty aren't they?
    'Fabby' post again and I am behind by three so I can indulge myself now and catch up.
    XXX

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  40. Now that's a garden. I just walked outside to look at ours and I wanted to crank up the tractor and bush-hog ours and start all over :)

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  41. One of the most beautiful gardens I've ever seen. Your photos are so vivid I can almost smell the flowers. Love that it's full of fluffy cats.

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  42. Wow what a fantastic garden Amazing colours I understand why you took so many potos.
    those cats are really cute all over the placeThank you for the tour it has given me tons of ideas.

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