Vue de Ciele [Franschhoek Open Garden 2011]

View from the steeply winding driveway up to the manor house at Vue de Ciel

Here I am, back again, to proceed with you on our visit to Vue de Ciele, another of the wonderful, private gardens in Franschhoek that were opened to the public for viewing, in order to raise much needed funding for the Fleur de Lis home for the aged.

This large and challenging garden is situated on a working wine farm. It was raining when we visited, but this did not deter us in the slightest! I just kept my camera lens tucked into my fleecy top between taking pictures.

I have elected to share this particular garden with you right after the garden at Klein Champagne, since it is entirely different in concept, design and location. Here, we're up a mountainside, whereas Klein Champagne is nestled on a fertile valley floor with oodles of water readily available. 

 We briefly met the owner of this remarkably steep, hillside garden, after we'd inadvertently wandered a little 'off route'...

 ...but were still following one of the many laid out paths and found ourselves at a dead end, at the far end of her very large house.

 We were standing beside her modest, but lovely, shade covered vegetable garden, realising we needed to retrace our steps when Carol Cunningham appeared (and, no, I did not get a picture of the vegetable garden, although I now wish I had!) 

She'd seen us approaching and came to ask us to please return the way we'd come.

She was very sweet about it and explained that she was concerned about her prized breeding ducks. 

They live in a specially created haven, a beautiful pond situated off a private patio just ahead of where we'd found ourselves and she didn't want to risk them being frightened by us.

We aplogised and were just on the point of retracing our steps, when she offered to allow us to follow her quietly into the "off-bounds" area and she'd let us out the front. Naturally, we politely declined, as we had no intention of over-stepping our boundary. She did invite us to take a peek into the ducks' area from the other side of the property, which we did, being very careful not to startle the contented, colourful ducks sunning themselves in their wonderfully secluded eden.

This garden was a riot of colour, planted almost exclusively, but not entirely with indigenous plantings.

 Built on a steep gradient, the terrain is very rocky and exposed to the full force of the elements. 

It was incredible to see what has been achieved in only five years, since the garden was first laid out. Carol explained that it had had its own set of challenges, but that she'd had the invaluable input of her resident Lady Gardener (who lives in a cottage on the farm, within visible distance of the main house).  

Everywhere we turned, there was something to draw the eye in...

With an abundance of natural rock and the plentiful use of wonderfully, sculptural pieces of wood...

All vying with each other to make the most profound impression...

This really was a garden begging to be explored and admired...after all, just look at the backdrop it has to compete with! (See the Lady Gardener's cottage in the background, off right?)

The many carefully planned winding paths at our feet tempted us to follow...that would explain how we 'got lost'

Pockets of the brightest hued annuals stole the show in all the little nooks and crannies, begging for closer inspection!

But...the piece de resistance was arguably the suspended deck!

Even on a rainy day, its charms were undeniably irresistible...

And my camera just couldn't get its fill of all the angles (I took dozens of pictures!)

I guessed this to be a shrine to a loved pet, perhaps? It was  constructed beautifully, of marble, as were several other attractively ornate features strategically positioned throughout the garden.

The rim flow pool added to the sense of infinity pervading this breath-taking view point... 

The carved wooden fishes and selection of shells drew one back to earth.

Perched high on the hill, this house looked even more imposing from below!

The entrance to the house is behind, approached by an even steeper section of  driveway...this is the only 'level' area of this property and it is here that the plantings are particularly vivid.

The amount of care and planning that has gone into creating this garden in only five years is truly astounding! 

This is not some pampered, sheltered suburban garden. This garden is built on the top of a rocky mountain!

Who would believe it, seeing this picture as an example?

A beautifully fashioned pathway leads to the main entrance of this lovely home.

Yes, I know, I could not resist a closer look!

Interesting details were everywhere!

The views from every part of this garden are exquisite! No inkling of claustrophobia here!

Believe me, I was as startled to encounter the resident feline as it was to see me! I'd never seen a cat like this up close! It had the bluest eyes I've seen, but I could not capture their intensity. 

A marble bird bath nestled amongst rough rock. What a pretty surprise!

Other surprises were strategically placed etched stepping stones, no two, the same.

I have a new respect for amaryllis...look at them growing out in the African sun (admittedly it was a rainy day)...while I pamper and cosset my one plant in my greenhouse. It never looks as good as these!

This garden uses water wherever possible, to excellent effect!

Another surprise stepping stone, glistening in the rain.

This fountain, in the centre of the large circular entrance driveway succeeded in getting me to photograph it from all conceivable angles. I couldn't choose which was the best, so went eeny meeny miny mo! It always helps!

No expense has been spared in choosing eye-catching pots and urns with which to decorate this dramatic garden! 

Just to remind you once again, you really are halfway up a mountainside!

The landscaper has sought and found beauty in every rock, stone and hunk of wood. Everything works harmoniously together to create something very special indeed!

I do hope you enjoyed seeing Vue de Ciele as much as we did! I, again, feel I was unable to adequately do justice to this garden. I felt that way about nearly all of the gardens we visited!