A gardener’s PLAYGROUND
# 1 GREENHOUSE
The beautiful greenhouse at Rustenberg Wine Estate is not only there to cultivate special plants, but also for aesthetic reasons. From the outside, it immediately catches the eye and once inside, there are all sorts of interesting plants such as orchids, unusual bulbs, tropical plants, ferns and even cactuses.
According to Pietman Diener, gardener and plant expert at the wine estate, this is the perfect place to nurture specialist plants that would otherwise get less attention in the huge garden. He says a greenhouse is a good way to accommodate plants with specific water needs as those in this controlled space are irrigated by hand.
“The greenhouse makes a statement in the garden. It was originally built in the 1940s or 1950s for overwintering plants, as they do in Europe,” he explains. “But since our climate is mild and our winters aren’t too cold, it can be used for more decorative purposes. In any event, we have a nursery on the farm for propagating plants.”
The greenhouse is ideal for plants that aren’t necessarily
