Everything is blooming in October.  There are lots of open gardens and flower shows to admire in the next few weeks:

6 Oct: McGregor Open Gardens. Visit this lovely little town and see what’s growing in their gardens!

13-14 Oct: Cape Orchid Society Show, Kirstenbosch. Feast your eyes on the best orchids on show. Judging is on Friday and the show is open to the public. 

21-22 Oct: Prince Albert Agricultural Show. This oh-so-cute town was winner of ‘Dorp van die Jaar 2012’ and you can get a taste of the true Karoo at this event with homecrafts, art & flowers, horses and sheep dog trials, sheep and angora goat competitions, delicious food, tea garden and entertainment.

27-28 Oct: Greyton Rose Fair. Greyton celebrates its 21st Rose Fair and they are going to make it a 21st birthday to remember! The usual Saturday morning market will be expanded to include more than 100 stalls selling everything from art to artichokes – and of course roses!

26-28 Oct: Franschhoek Open Gardens Festival. Enjoy 10 gorgeous gardens, a huge plant sale and a festival atmosphere in and around town.

2-4 Nov: Cape Rose Gardens Tour, Cape Winelands. Visting a whole host of gardens and wineries from Constantia to Franschhoek, Stellenbosch to Wellington and Elgin. Plus  Jan Smitsman & Ann Horstmann Cut Roses, Coreen Krige private garden and Ludwig’s Roses Winelands.

3-4 Nov: Stellenberg Open Garden, Kenilworth. The Ovenstone’s once again open their magnificent private gardens to the  public to raise funds for charity. Indulge in tea and scones and visit their nursery.

3-4 Nov and 10-11 Nov: Elgin Open Gardens. There are 25 open gardens over two weekends in the Elgin, Vyeboom and Bot River districts, ranging from established country gardens to recently planted gardens in villages and smallholdings in a setting of great natural beauty.