Maria Kotzé Gardens

03/06/2026

Challenging the weather while creating a brand-new garden space! 🌿

Out with the old, and in with the new — including a beautiful pool and tanning platform. To make it happen, we cut away 30 cubic metres of embankment, opening up this small sunken front garden and transforming it into a bright, functional outdoor space.

I’m always incredibly grateful for the opportunity to use my knowledge, passion, and creativity on projects that push me, inspire me, and present exciting new challenges. Watching a vision come to life is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

  gardentransformation outdoorliving  landscapeconstruction

20/05/2026

Seeing my beautiful Duranta broken was heartbreaking — it has always been such a haven for the birds and such a special part of the space in my little backyard

So I’m feeling incredibly fortunate and grateful to have been able to replace it with an instant-sized one from 🌿 What a gift to see the garden feel whole again so soon.

A very special thank you to Anja, Le Roux and the entire Habitat team for making this the highlight of my week. Your kindness, effort and impeccable service made the whole experience such a joy.

Now all that’s left is for the birds to move back in 🐦💚

22/04/2026

From overgrown chaos to a lush little sanctuary 🌿✨
This garden has been gently transformed into a tranquil space made for slow mornings, deep breaths, and quiet moments. Every leaf, pathway, and corner now invites you to pause and just be.

Proof that with a bit of vision and care, even the wildest spaces can become something beautifully peaceful.

15/04/2026

Lately I’ve been playing with new plant finds that bring something special to a space — and still keep things simple, tough, and easy to maintain.

Plant Palette A is all about calm, texture, and that soft semi-shade magic:
• New Zealand Rock Lily — a versatile, hardy perennial reaching up to 60cm, with delicate starry blooms in white to pale lavender from May to July, creating a lush, layered feel
• Rosemary Cherry — forming neat little mounds up to 60cm high, with silvery-green foliage and soft lilac flowers from April to May

I love discovering plants that not only look beautiful, but also work hard in the garden without demanding too much.

More garden stories coming soon 🌱

08/04/2026

Thinking of installing a new lawn? 🌱

Instant sod is usually the go-to choice — but in the warmer months, sowing seed is definitely worth considering.

Grass seed germinates almost as quickly as sod takes to root, and it comes with some great advantages:
✔️ More cost-effective
✔️ Creates a more even, seamless lawn
✔️ No need for extra topdressing to fill gaps between uneven sod pieces

This lovely client in Somerset West asked me to remove her kikuyu lawn and replace it with Cynodon — a finer, more water-wise grass that will thrive beautifully in our climate 💚

24/02/2026

18/02/2026

Tiny garden revamp 🌿✨

Sometimes all a space needs is structure, strength, and one bold statement. For this little garden refresh, we introduced large broodbome to anchor the design and create that timeless, sculptural feel. Their dramatic form instantly elevates even the smallest courtyard.

Encephalartos (our indigenous broodbome) are more than just striking feature plants — they’re deeply rooted in the natural heritage of South Africa. As protected plants, they symbolise resilience, longevity, and the importance of conserving our unique biodiversity. Incorporating them into a garden isn’t just a design choice — it’s a celebration of local legacy.

Strong lines. Indigenous beauty. Small space, big impact.

14/02/2026

From dead space to dream space 🌿✨

What was once a tired, unused courtyard is now blooming into a beautiful tearoom retreat. 🌹 Fresh paving has completely transformed the foundation, creating a clean, elegant base for long afternoons and slow sips.

Roses now soften the space with colour and fragrance, and the pergola — soon to be draped in ornamental grapevines — will add that lush, romantic canopy feel 🍇🌿

Those once-unsightly walls? They’re next on the list, ready to be wrapped in creeping greenery and brought to life with tickey creeper.

Even the corridor has had a glow-up, guiding you gently into a tranquil seating area designed to help you pause, breathe, and stay awhile.

Swipe to see the transformation ➡️

PergolaLife GreenUp TranquilSpaces

25/01/2026

1 year of growth 🌱
Ready for Phase 2.
Back garden upgrade loading: more stone, more grasses, more texture.
Somerset West landscaping

23/01/2026