Springtime in the Western Cape is a glorious season. After the cold wintry weather, our earth blooms forth in abundance and colour, as flowers everywhere put on their very best spring show.
And, while we’re always eager to adventure to see wild flowers in the West Coast, we often forget about the Cape Winelands' beautiful gardens and flowering fields, where one can see an array of blooms, vibrant proteas, and, of course, lush gardens.
In this article, I share my list of the best winelands gardens and countryside spots to see spring flowers.
See the cheery yellow canola fields (near Durbanville Wine Valley)
One of the most underrated flower-spotting experiences in the Cape Winelands is the seasonal canola fields that pop up across the Western Cape, usually around late July to September. (Although the timing varies each year, so check socials or take a drive around to confirm.)
Many residents are used to seeing the fields of cheery yellow, but these blooms are just as pretty to see as the vygies and Cape daisies found in our national parks, indigenous gardens and of course, alongside our main roads.
While there are many places across the Western Cape to see canola in bloom (including Swellendam, Bot River and Riversdale), one of my personal favourites is the rural farmlands near Durbanville Wine Valley. Especially around Contermanskloof, Meerendal Wine Estate and even D'Aria.
(If you’re willing to drive a bit further, Philadelphia also puts on a spectacular display!)
Highlights of this experience include: snapping photos, admiring the yellow fields as you drive or cycle and enjoying a wine tasting or meal at one of the Durbanville Wine Valley estates.
- Where: Parts of Durbanville rural, Durbanville Wine Valley, and Philadelphia.
- Booking and pricing info: Free to enjoy from our public roads (just pull off to the side and follow road safety rules). Please do not trespass on private property or farmlands.
Soak up the sunshine at Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West)
Lourensford's estate gardens are one of my favourite places to stroll about during springtime and summer.
Not only is there a wonderful selection of statues and canals to admire but the trees and garden spaces add an element of preserved greenery to this Helderberg wine farm. I love the diversity, too: One moment you are surrounded by swaying agapanthus, the next you are standing under a protective oak.
This stunning estate, which spans some 4 000 hectares of land, 1 200 of which is farmed proteas, fruit orchards, vineyards and forestry, is beautifully encircled by the Hottentots Holland and Helderberg mountains.
Lourensford is passionate about preserving its natural environment, especially the mountains above the estate, as these are home to some breathtaking Cape Leopards.
One of the best ways to soak up the sunshine and verdant estate gardens and lawns is by visiting the nearby Lourensford Market. Because it’s a mostly outdoor market, it closes during winter – but that’s all the more reason to visit when they re-open on Friday, 4 September 2026!
If you want to experience Lourensford on a deeper level, dine at one of its eateries, sample their wines, or visit and support the other boutique stores and businesses (these include a range of wellness, art and retail options) here.
- Where: Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West
- Booking and pricing info: Lourensford Estate charges a small parking fee per car, but the market and estate gardens are otherwise free to enjoy.
- Opening times: The estate is open daily, 09h00 - 17h00. The Lourensford Market takes place every Friday from 17h00 - 22h00, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays from 11h00 - 16h00.
- Contact details: 021 847 2200 | info@lourensford.co.za
Pick flowers at Adene's Farm Flowers (Somerset West)
While you are near Lourensford this spring, why not go pick your own flowers at Adene's Flowers?
While the main flower farm is situated in the scenic Breede River Valley, near Wolseley, Adene has expanded her flower power to several other locations.
The Lourensford flower picking experience is currently closed for the season. Sadly, their facilities suffered damage during the May flood. However, they are hoping to re-open in early September. So, until then, you can mentally prepare for all the flower fun!
When picking season opens, you can explore the fields, hand picking your own flowers for special occasions, gifts or even just to brighten up your home. It’s a great springtime experience to enjoy with friends and loved ones.
There are different pricing options (these vary per flower season). Arrive early (to beat the heat) and remember to bring along sunscreen, comfy shoes, a sunhat, and a bucket for your blooms!
- Where: Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West. Follow the estate signs to find their location behind the Lourensford Market, near the Classic Car Museum.
- Booking and pricing info: Lourensford Estate charges a small parking fee per car, and the picking packages vary per price. For more information, visit Adene Flowers' website.
- Opening times: The estate is open daily, 09h00 - 17h00. Opening times for the flower picking to be confirmed for the spring 2026 season. Keep an eye on their socials for updates.
- Contact details: lourensford@adeneflowers.co.za
Explore the gardens at Vergelegen (Somerset West)
Arguably some of the best gardens anywhere in South Africa are found at the beautiful, Helderberg-lying Vergelegen Wine Estate.
Here, garden blooms are in abundance year-round, but it’s safe to say the estate is especially stunning during spring.
When Anglo American purchased the farm in 1987, they commissioned a team to restore the historic Vergelegen gardens and grounds. The layered historicism approach, also used to restore the buildings and furnishings, was applied to best reflect the farm’s historic roots, which spanned across some 300 years. With this came a slew of intimate, contrasting garden sections.
These garden sections are as follows:
- Octagonal Garden
- David Austin Rose Garden
- Reflection Garden
- Rose Garden
- Bamboo Garden
- Sundial Garden
- East Garden
- Agapanthus Garden
- Camellia Garden of Excellence
- Wetlands Garden
- Fynbos (cellar) Garden
- Hydrangea Garden
- Yellowwood Walk
- Maple Garden
- Oak Arboretum
- historic Camphor Forest (a marvel in their own right)
- Ginkgo trees
- And finally, the Children’s Adventure Garden
Whether you book a guided garden tour or self-explore the estate’s bountiful gardens, you will encounter natural beauty and beautiful blooms around every corner.
While at the estate, partake in some wine, good food, or even have some tea and cake at the charming Rose Terrace Tea Room.
Several of their gardens peak during August (pre-spring) or October, providing an extra sweet spring parade!
- Where: Vergelegen Wine Estate, Somerset West
- Booking and pricing info: Vergelegen charges a small entry fee of R30 for adults and R10 for pensioners/scholars. (Mondays are free for pensioners). The garden is free to explore unless you book a garden tour, which costs R140 per person. Tours are limited to a maximum of 20 guests per tour and depart from the tasting room every 75 minutes.
- Opening times: Vergelegen is open daily from 08h30 - 17h00, while their Heritage and Garden Tours run daily from 09h30.
- Contact details: 021 847 2111 | customerservices@vergelegen.co.za
Admire the beauty of Delaire Graff (Stellenbosch)
Delaire Graff Estate is one of the most scenic wine estates you'll find. Not only does it have amazing mountain views (thanks in part to its dreamy setting on Helshoogte), but it also offers a wide array of spectacular art pieces and sculptures (by artists like Dylan Lewis, Deborah Bell, Anton Smit, and Lionel Smit) set among its perfectly manicured gardens, landscaped by Keith Kirsten.
Upon visiting, I was delighted to discover that there is a plant or part of the garden that blooms every day of the year. So, whether you visit in springtime or not, you can see some pretty flowers.
The garden spaces are elegant and tranquil, providing a wondrous, serene backdrop to the wine lounge, restaurants, spa and accommodation.
- Where: Delaire Graff, Stellenbosch
- Booking and pricing info: The gardens are free to visit. They are open to both guests and members of the public.
- Opening times: The gardens are open daily from 09h00 - 19h00.
- Contact details: 021 885 8160 | info@delaire.co.za
Enjoy Boschendal's historic Rose Garden and Werf Food Garden (Franschhoek)
Last on the list, we have the beautiful Boschendal Estate. Aside from all its history and experiences (everything from good food and wine, pony- and horse-rides, relaxed picnics, accommodation, and more), this Franschhoek estate has some beautiful gardens, including its famous rose garden, which features a special heritage rose collection.
In fact, Boschendal even made a Rose Garden Rosé that paid tribute to this lovely space. It is apparently the largest heritage rose garden in the southern hemisphere and was crafted with consignment roses from Kew Gardens, England. The Boschendal roses primarily bloom during springtime, bringing the tranquil garden to life.
Another lovely, revived and revitalised garden at Boschendal is its Werf Food Garden, which educates as much as it inspires. When you explore the garden, you can witness first-hand the dedication and efforts the Boschendal team makes to foster more sustainable agriculture and regenerative farming techniques.
Beyond that, Boschendal’s garden and lawn areas are a marvel, particularly with all the incredible oak trees that are found across the estate.
- Where: Boschendal, Franschhoek
- Booking and pricing info: Boschendal’s rose garden and estate grounds are free to visit.
- Opening times: Boschendal is open daily, 09h00 - 20h00.
- Contact details: 021 870 4273 | reservations@boschendal.co.za
Other spring gardens to visit in the winelands
- Babylonstoren: Babylonstoren is cherished for its magnificent formal garden, inspired by the Company's Garden in Cape Town that supplied the 17th- and 18th-century spice fleets travelling between Europe and Asia with fresh fruit and vegetables.
- DeMorgenzon: This 91 ha farm is, in essence, one giant garden. It features renosterbos, wildflower meadows, terraced gardens, dams, and a nursery. The owner, Hylton Appelbaum, describes it as a "romantic garden where nature is allowed expression".
- Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden: Local artist Dylan Lewis's sculpted garden focuses on indigenous species, particularly fynbos. Although planted to give year-round colour, it peaks between July and September, when its many buchus and ericas are in fragrant flower.
- Leeu Estates: The estate's country herb and vegetable picking garden is laid out around three granadilla-covered pavilions with formal hedges. It provides fresh seasonal produce for the Leeu Collection's various restaurants.
- Rustenberg Wine Estate: The Schoongezicht Garden features beds full of English-style plants and flowers, trimmed hedges, and terracotta pots perched atop low walls. What was once a tennis court is now an eleven-circuit Chartres-style labyrinth, and the swimming pool is now a huge lily pond.
- Spier Wine Farm: The Wilds, a restored tract of farm that tells the story of the Cape’s distinct seasons, boasts a mosaic of wetland, fynbos, and renosterbos. Access it via the suspension bridge crossing the Eersterivier.
- Van Loveren Family Vineyards: The beautiful garden at the Robertson winery is the legacy of Jean Retief who, since her arrival in 1939, has planted many trees to commemorate special family, political and historical occasions.
