Visit HogsbackAmathole Mountains · South Africa
Visit Hogsback
A colourful mountain garden in Hogsback

Hogsback Open Gardens 2026

The mountain
in bloom.

Three spring weekends. Eleven remarkable gardens. A village opening its gates to share colour, old trees, water and mountain views.

Buy tickets
Hogsback · Eastern Cape · South Africa

Choose your weekend

Spring unfolds
in chapters.

Come for the first colour of October, return as the gardens deepen, or visit when November roses take their turn.

Friday to Sunday

Friday to Sunday

Friday to Sunday

A Hogsback spring tradition

Private gardens.
Generous hosts.

Open Gardens is an invitation into places visitors would not ordinarily see.

Some are grand heritage gardens beneath enormous trees. Others are younger, informal or productive. There are ponds and streams, Japanese maples, azaleas, rhododendrons, roses, bonsai and forest edges. Each garden carries the character of the people who tend it.

The experience is self-guided, allowing you to choose your own pace and spend longer in the places that draw you in.

A glimpse through the gates

Eleven gardens.
No two alike.

This is a small preview. The Garden Club maintains the complete current garden list, descriptions, access notes and photographs.

Flowering shrubs beside a stream in the Hogsback Arboretum
The community Garden of LoveThe Arboretum
A colourful garden with mountain views at The Edge
Flowers, labyrinth and cliff viewsThe Edge
A storybook house surrounded by the Bramber garden
An old garden with fairytale characterBramber
A cottage surrounded by flowers in the Mistlea garden
Heritage trees, maples and rosesMistlea
Visitors resting among flowering azaleas in the Hurry garden
Azaleas beneath rare old treesHurry
A richly planted pond in the Little Timbers garden
Ponds, irises, roses and forestLittle Timbers
Explore all 11 gardens

One ticket. Three weekends.

Your garden
passport.

R190per person over 15

What your ticket includes

  • Entry to the 11 participating gardens
  • Valid on any or all 2026 Open Gardens event days
  • Children aged 15 and under enter free
  • All gardens are self-guided

Please leave dogs at home. Gardens are open on the advertised Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

Buy from the Hogsback Garden Club
A bridge and flowering shrubs beside the stream in the Hogsback Arboretum
The Arboretum is always open and free to visit.

The Community Garden of Love

The gardens give back.

Open Gardens ticket proceeds support the maintenance of the Hogsback Arboretum.

Generations of Hogsback gardeners have planted trees and ornamentals in this public park. Its forest paths, streams and 39 Steps waterfall make it one of the village’s most loved shared spaces.

Visit 39 Steps & the Arboretum

Make a day of it

Leave time
to wander.

01

Plan a loose route

Gardens vary in size and terrain. Use the organiser’s viewing times and access notes, then allow room to linger.

02

Dress for the mountain

Wear comfortable shoes and bring layers. Spring can move from sunshine to mist or rain in the course of a garden visit.

03

Enjoy the village

Open Gardens weekends also bring markets, plant sales, food and wine experiences. Check the current programme before travelling.

04

Stay for more than flowers

Book accommodation early and leave time for forest walks, waterfalls, local food and the mountain landscape.

Plan your Open Gardens visit

Come for the colour.
Stay for Hogsback.

The Garden Club holds the latest programme, garden access information and ticket details. Visit Hogsback can help with the rest of the trip.

Current garden information ↗Find accommodation →Find food & drink →