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The Best and Blooming Gardens in and near Johannesburg
Do you know why the Bible used the Garden of Eden as a representation of paradise? Well, we don’t know either, but here’s our two cents about it: it’s because there’s something truly magical about gardens wherever you are across the globe.
Here in Johannesburg, there are a ton of these gardens for you to check out and enjoy with your family and loved ones. Don’t let anyone cast you out of these gardens and deprive you of the opportunity to visit some of the best ones in and near the city!
1. Brenthurst Gardens
From serenacrawford
Address: 1 Federation Rd, Parktown
Website: https://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/brenthurst_garden
Contact Number: +27116464122
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Brenthurst Garden, located in Parktown Johannesburg, is one garden we recommend you visit if you want to see some of the unique flora the country has to offer.
We were expecting to see a beautiful garden filled with lush greenery, but we weren’t expecting diverse garden biomes.
We certainly liked the rose garden with its colourful flowers all in bloom like the amber-coloured South African Sunbelt Rose. I also enjoyed the indigenous grass garden.
The Japanese garden is also a must-visit with its cute plants (e.g. Canary Island cineraria) and shrubs that look so organised that you might mistake the flora here for something artificial.
| Pro Tip: After visiting this garden, you can check out the nearby South African National Museum of Military History. It’s just 3 minutes away from the garden and is worth a visit if you’re a military history buff. |
2. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
From still_lesedi
Address: Olifants Rd, Emmarentia, Randburg
Website: https://www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com
Contact Number: +27117126600
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens is the granddaddy of all the gardens here in Johannesburg. This green lung in the middle of the city’s urban jungle is huge, covering a staggering 81 hectares of diverse biomes.
We had a fantastic time just strolling around the wide-open grassy spaces of the area while watching runners, dog walkers, and picnickers do their thing.
We also visited the rose and herb garden, which proved to be a feast for our eyes with its colourful and vibrant roses and exotic herbs used for medicinal purposes.
| Pro Tip: You can also canoe here! To learn more, visit the website of the resident canoe club managing the said activity in the garden. |
3. Siyakhana Garden
From mayabee98
Address: 112 Observatory Ave, De Wetshof
Website: https://siyakhana.org/
Contact Number:+27824924768
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Unlike the other gardens on this list, Siyakhana Garden offers something unique. It’s a food garden where you can witness how fresh produce like veggies is grown.
We had a great time just looking at and admiring the greens sprouting from the ground of this venue. The lots that caught our attention most, though, (thanks to their rather organised appearance) are the wheat grass and lettuce gardens.
You can also spot other veggies being grown here like carrots, potatoes, and eggplants.
| Pro Tip: You can also order fresh produce from Siyakhana Garden via their official website. Some of the products on sale include combo bats or boxes, gardening needs, herbs, tools, and vegetables. |
4. Shepstone Garden
Address: 10 Hope Rd, Mountain View
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/shepstone.gardens
Contact Number: +27 11 728 6738
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
We were fortunate enough to attend an event at Shepstone Garden and were absolutely blown away by the venue’s enticing beauty.
It’s not surprising that most locals want their weddings to be done at this place. It’s elegant and romantic all at the same time.
We fell in love with its lush trellis, well-maintained grounds, and elegant light posts spread across the area. The reception room was also to die for with floral arrangements on all tables making it feel like an indoor garden!
| Pro Tip: If you have an upcoming event that you’d like to celebrate at the Shepstone Garden, then visit their website to get in touch with them. |
5. Beechwood Gardens
Address: 25 Christopherson St, Hyde Park, Sandton
Website: http://www.beechwoodgardens.co.za/
Contact Number: +27843384712
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Beechwood Gardens is a classic garden venue where special moments are made. During our visit, we were treated to some of the best-looking front garden porches with well-maintained landscaped lawns.
The house to the back also has an elegant and rustic vibe.
There’s also a pond filled with waterlilies, and if we had an entire day to spare, we would have spent more time chilling right next to it.
| Pro Tip: Beechwood Gardens is usually fully booked for various events and activities. If you want to reserve a slot for your event or celebration, we strongly suggest that you book weeks (or even months in advance). |
6. Gardens of St Christopher
Address: 82 9th Rd, Hyde Park, Sandton
Website: https://www.gardenofstchristopher.com/
Contact Number: +27114471563
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Not all gardens are created equal, and at the Gardens of St. Christopher, we realised just how unique this garden truly is.
Who would have thought that we would see an Italian-style garden filled with exotic plants while in South Africa? It has that Italian vibe thanks to the colourful flowers and ornate trellis lining up the large estate.
We were also quite impressed with how well-maintained and neat the floral and plant arrangements are despite how thick and lush the greenery is. The two cute dogs running about during our visit are just a bonus!
| Pro Tip: Check out their Facebook for any updates or upcoming events. They sometimes hold open garden and plant sale days where you can score great deals on beautiful potted plants and flowers. |
7. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
Address: Malcolm Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort
Website: http://www.sanbi.org/gardens/walter-sisulu
Contact Number: 27 (0)86 100 1278
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
If you can travel around 30 minutes from the city centre of Joburg, then we suggest you check out the nearby Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens.
It’s one of the most popular botanical gardens in South Africa thanks to the impressive flora and the wildlife calling the site home.
What we liked most about the garden, though, was the birds we saw (like the red-eyed and black-and-white feathered reed cormorant) flying overhead—a true treat if you’re into bird watching.
We walked all the way to the garden’s waterfall to take in the amazing views.
| Pro Tip: To avoid any issues during your visit, check out their Facebook before you drop by. The garden sometimes has announcements on temporary closures or private events. |
