Controversy in the Hills

Frank Chemaly|Published 2 months ago

Garden designer Leon Kluge will talk about South Africa’s road to Chelsea this year.

Tanya and Izolda Visser are hosting an Open Garden this coming weekend: December 7 and 8 in their Assagay home. They will be joined on Saturday morning by special guest Leon Kluge who will talk on his experience at the Chelsea Flower Show this year.

Visser is knownas the television presenter of the Home Channel’s popular show, The Gardener, although she still considers herself a regular gardener by profession who’s taken on lots of additional ‘day jobs’ in order to do what she loves best. She is also the editor of The Gardener and Die Tuinier magazines, author of various gardening books, a public speaker, and she hosts various television and live shows throughout the year.

Writer, presenter and editor of The Gardener Tanya Visser will host an open garden at her home in Assagay.

Award winning South African designer Leon Kluge will be giving a talk on the incredible journey of the return of the South African exhibit at the Chelsea flower show in London earlier this year. Kluge will be presenting a free talk at 10.30am on Saturday December 7 in the garden where he shares his “Journey to Chelsea“.

‘The Cape Flora of South Africa’ display was awarded not one but three prestigious awards - he highest honour of Gold, Best Exhibit in the Great Pavilion and New Design Award for the floral extravaganza, a first for South Africa. South Africa returned to the Chelsea Flower show after a four year absence due to funding issues.

Kluge’s journey with plants started at a young age. His grandfather was the curator of the Betty’s Bay Botanical Garden and his father the curator of the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens in Nelspruit. This fostered a love affair with plants. Kluge says he always knew his life path would involve plants and flowers, but he admits “not on such an international level”.

Tanya Visser’s garden in Assagay in the Valley of a 1000 Hills.

A testament to his creativity, skill and passion are the multiple awards he has received this year. Not only was there the triple scoop at Chelsea, but he won Best Designer at the Philadelphia Flower Show and gold at this year’s Singapore Garden Festival as well as ‘Best on Show’ .

“Come and join me in the garden for a festive Open Gardens weekend and pop-up shop; explore our festive garden, shop unique gardening stocking fillers and enjoy a joyful day out with friends and family. Bring your picnic basket, and let’s make it a holiday to remember,” said Visser.

The gardens are open today and tomorrow from 9am to 3pm at 6 Controversy Drive, Assagay (Off Lello road). No dogs allowed .