The most romantic gardens always have one thing in common. They integrate design principles — symmetry, scale, proportion — so effortlessly that it’s almost impossible to pinpoint where nature stops and order begins. It is this calming sense of poise that sets this sprawling garden in Blair Athol apart.
‘If you draw a line from the entrance to the property through our home, a single rock path flows over the canal and river, drawing your eye to the vistas in the distance,’ explain the owners. This design feat creates a seamless flow between the home’s interiors and the garden, something the owners value. ‘It feels as if we’re immersed by nature,’ they say.
Part woodland, part water garden, the space was designed to take you on a journey. The owners love nothing more than to spend time in their garden. ‘We love entertaining with friends and family. Our family enjoys picnics on the lawn, the boys love fishing in the fly-fishing dams, while the grannies spend hours painting on the river’s banks.’
It’s hard to believe that the now established garden was created from a raw piece of Highveld plain in a matter of years. The first thing the owners did after purchasing the property was to create gently undulating levels down toward the natural water body. ‘We saw potential in using the natural flow of the canal that coursed through the property as a design feature,’ they explain. In reshaping they discovered another unexpected surprise, ‘A natural dam was forming at the bottom of the property which we then formalised and made permanent.’ Keen fly-fisherman, the owners ‘recreated this as a permanent fly-fishing spot at home.’
Although an initial garden was laid out around the home, a more elaborate landscaping plan was needed. The owners called on landscape architect Patrick Watson to help with the layout and plant selection. ‘Patrick and his team came up with wonderful ideas that articulated our vision for the garden perfectly,’ say the owners. Plants were chosen carefully to withstand frigid winter temperatures that can drop to -14°C. This, and the fact that the property is wet and boggy, restricted the plant choice. ‘We decided to fill the garden with exotic shrubs and trees that flourish in the northern hemisphere, especially plants from the Himalayas and Canada,’ says Patrick. ‘The owners love trees and didn’t want overly fussy planting, so we decided on a woodland effect.’
The property now teems with masses of flowering cherries, hundreds of rare Japanese maples, crab apples, azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas and viburnums. Hellebores and mondo grass were planted en-masse beneath the trees and cherries, and magnolias and combretums make up a pretty screen for privacy along the boundary.
The garden has evolved into a serene, romantic space. ‘We wanted to recreate the feeling of a child exploring a landscape and, so, secret paths were built,’ says Patrick. Adding to the feeling of enchantment, water lily-clad ponds and a koi dam are reminiscent of Monet’s iconic paintings.
The garden attracts an array of insects and wildlife throughout the year, something the owners relish. ‘Spring is beautiful when the cherry blossoms pop, summertime is a favourite for fishing and friends and we love autumn when the rich russet colours take centre stage. ‘We have created a garden that captures our love or nature, fishing and open spaces. We never want to leave home.
Lily Lore
South Africa is home to a remarkable variety of indigenous water lilies, bringing structure and seasonal interest to still water. With the right planting and care, they’ll reward you year after year.
Sun Seekers
Water lilies are happiest in full sun. For the most prolific flowering, place them in the brightest part of your pond. ease them in Rather than planting directly into deep water, lower young lilies gradually as they establish. avoid disturbance Position lilies away from fountains or water features. Despite their aquatic nature, they dislike splashing. contain and support Use mesh planting baskets to contain the roots before submerging. This also makes lifting and repositioning easier. soil matters Choose a heavy loam rather than light, sandy or chalky soil, which can cloud the water and destabilise the plant.
Credits
Text by Di Barrell
Images: Elsa Young
This article was originally published in the House & Garden November 2025 Issue
