Mountain

Mountain

Two and a half acres of the Cape Floral Kingdom — one of only six on earth, the smallest, the most concentrated. The vast majority of what grows around the house grows nowhere else on the planet. The slope is dense with proteas, leucospermums, ericas, restios, buchu — the species change month by month, the colours change month by month, and the light through the slatted timber roof changes hour by hour. Step off the deck and the world turns to flowers.

The trail up

A short, steep path from the studio leads up through the fynbos slope to the gazebo at the highest point of the property — the spot for sunsets, for yoga, for a glass of wine from the neighbouring vineyard. The hiking trail continues from the top gate to the Skoorsteenberg peaks.

Torch lilies, in bloom

Kniphofia — locally, red hot pokers. They flame out of the slope in late winter, drawing sunbirds and bees. The whole stem reads as a single vertical brushstroke against the deep green of the fynbos.

Just before

The bud of the same plant a week earlier — yellow at the tip, still gathering, the mountain still cloud-bound behind it. The whole property changes week by week. The visitors who return notice it.

The pond

Water lilies on the koi pond and around the eco lap pool. Because the pool is biofiltered — no chlorine — the lilies, the irises, and the small fish that drift over from the pond all belong to the same body of water.

A tropical surprise

In a sheltered, sun-trapped corner of the garden, a banana tree fruits. Its deep-maroon flower hangs below the green hands. Cape Town is not the tropics, but the microclimates of the property are gentle enough to keep a few of these going.