Thank you to EVERyoNE who attended our Open GARDENS weekend in JUNE ! The music and food experience in the gardens was a huge success!

Next is SATURDAY 26 & SUNDAY 27 JULY!

CASA MEXICANA - 35 MONTGOMERY DRIVE, ATHLONE PIETERMARITZBURG
Key points in this garden:

Owner Barry Lovegrove meticulously designed and lovingly built the garden over a period of 28 years. As the author of the acclaimed book 'The Living Deserts of Southern Africa,' he had a particular affinity for succulents and aloes, which reflects his interest in deserts. The garden features indigenous plants, carefully chosen to thrive in the local environment, complemented by a few exotics; mature trees and large shrubs that were retained from the original garden. A select group of vibrant exotic potted plants adds a burst of colour.
For the house, Barry drew inspiration from the distinctive ‘faux’ Spanish architectural features of the house, including adobe-textured walls and traditional Córdoba roof tiles. This combination was a particularly fashionable choice in suburban areas during the 1950s evoking a ‘continental’ experience. After discovering a pivotal book (Casa Mexicana) that played a major role in the design choices of the house, the final result is a stylish Mexican design that thoughtfully blends rich cultural influences with practical features specifically suited to the local climate. This harmonious combination creates a space that is both visually appealing and comfortable throughout the year.
The Mexican adage ‘hecho al mano’ or 'made by hand’ served as a profound source of inspiration for Barry. He aimed to impart his own unique stamp on every project he undertook, whether it involved intricate tile work, detailed woodworking, metal crafting, paving designs, architectural elements, oil painting or pottery creations. This philosophy of craftsmanship and personal touch was deeply central to his artistic vision, embodying a commitment to authentic living and genuine self-expression.
Look out for Barry's work in his hand-made and painted tiles decorating the pool area, the striking gargoyle fountain (depicting the iconic Mexican split-lipped bat god), the metal pot stands, the elegantly forged ironwork on the entrance door, and the beautiful wrought-iron gates. His distinctive terracotta orchid pots prominently display his personal logo. Several of his original paintings, visible in the house interior, along with the meticulously detailed pebble paths, each stone laid individually over the course of 20 years, and the extensive, robust woodwork in the kitchen, all stand as remarkable testaments to his unique artistic vision and exceptional craftsmanship.
The trees, carefully planted in the first few years of occupation, grew quickly and robustly, transforming much of the garden from an area of direct sunlight into a beautifully shaded woodland garden. This significant change in the environment inspired a new interest, the cultivation of unique indigenous genus of Plectranthus. Today, a large and diverse collection of this remarkable group thrives within the garden, reflecting a dedicated focus and passion for native flora.
Having lived in a number of countries and major cities around the world, Barry greatly relished the unique privilege of owning and having access to a substantial and beautifully expansive piece of land. He endeavoured to maximise every inch of it, carefully creating and thoughtfully manipulating the space from one end to the other. This dedication is clearly visible in the detailed red ochre boundary walls and a thoughtfully designed pottery studio and kitchen garden on the street side. Additionally, the property features an elegant orchid house, a charming garden studio with hand-carved wooden columns and painted ceiling panels, an amphitheatre ‘concert stage’, and numerous distinct ‘rooms’ along with creatively paved terraces, all seamlessly blending artistic vision with functional design.
For the best and most immersive views in the lower garden, we recommend sitting on the benches located at the extremities of the paved terraces as well as at the far end point of the lower circle. From these vantage points, you can fully enjoy the view looking back across the entire expanse of the beautiful terraces.
The garden serves as a remarkable example of thoughtfully working with the rich tapestry of indigenous planting, combining both formal and informal elements. It also beautifully showcases the possibility that creative work and dedicated effort, sustained over 28 years, can result in a truly unique, organic, and deeply personal living environment.
Indigenous planting features a rich array of textures and a diverse palette of green shades. Instead of focusing on the large, attention-grabbing blooms typical of exotic plants, it invites you to appreciate the subtle and endless variations in leaf shapes, surfaces, and tones. This approach celebrates the natural beauty and complexity found within our local vegetation, offering a more nuanced and enduring visual experience.

Barry Lovegrove (1956-2022) with Wendy-Pops

JUNE EDITION! OPEN GARDENS

SATURDAY 21 & SUNDAY 22 JUNE

Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tea, coffee and other refreshments are served including Wedgwood products.

Music in the Garden with Christopher Duigan (piano) at 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm and 4 pm (15 mins)

Talk: The Story of Casa Mexicana ~ House and Garden 12:15 pm (15 mins)

Art exhibition by established artists in the studio including works for sale

Lunch: a light lunch of soup will be available from 12h30. Booking for lunch is preferred as places are limited. Email chris@musicrevival.co.za or WhatsApp message 083 417 4473 in advance

JUNE EDITION! OPEN GARDENS
SATURDAY 21 & SUNDAY 22 JUNE
CASA MEXICANA - 35 MONTGOMERY DRIVE, ATHLONE PIETERMARITZBURG
OPEN 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM

See below for before pics of the garden and its development.

Casa Mexicana - 35 Montgomery Drive, Athlone PIETERMARITZBURG
Open 9 am to 5 pm

Secure Parking
Tea/Coffee and other refreshments
Art exhibition by established artists
Music in the Garden with Christopher Duigan (piano) at 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm and 4 pm (15 mins)
Talk: The Story of Casa Mexicana ~ House and Garden 12:15 pm (15 mins)
Lunch - light lunch of soup will be available. Booking for lunch is preferred as places are limited. Email chris@musicrevival.co.za or WhatsApp message 083 417 4473 in advance
Entrance : R50

Following the resounding success of the first of Blackwood's Midlands Open Gardens of 2025, and by popular request, we open the garden, and home, at Casa Mexicana once again in June and July (Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July).

Entrance fee is R50, which includes patrolled street parking for your convenience, as well as tea, superb coffee, and a variety of other refreshments including Wedgwood Angel biscuits. There will be an engaging art exhibition to view with work from local artists in the studio, as well as various artworks to purchase. Throughout the day, there will be delightful music in the garden performed by Christopher Duigan at the piano, with sessions scheduled at 10:00 am,12 noon, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm, each lasting approximately 15 minutes.

Additionally there will be a short presentation at 12h15 on both days from Christopher detailing the story of the creation of the Casa Mexicana garden and its development over 29 years.

Adding to the experience guests can now also enjoy a light lunch of soup and dessert available from 12h30. Booking for lunch is preferred as places and facilities are limited. Email chris@musicrevival.co.za or WhatsApp message 0834177473 in advance to reserve a place.

Expect seasonal changes as the plectranthus and other shrubs finish flowering, aloes take on full bloom, and autumn hues turn to winter in this magnificent indigenous garden. There will be more flowering orchids too.

Join us at Casa Mexicana on Sat 21 & Sun 22 June for a unique garden experience. Explore the stunning indigenous garden designed by Barry Lovegrove, featuring terraced slopes, bold architecture, and beautifully layered garden rooms. Enjoy live piano performances by Christopher Duigan, an art exhibition, and delicious treats included with your R50 entrance fee.
Don't miss this perfect blend of nature, art, and music!