The first rays of morning light creeps gently over Diemersfontein from behind the Hawekwa mountains, catching the colours and fragrances of the heritage garden as early birds sweep across the sky. Yet even before the farm fully wakes, two swallows from Belgium are already at work. 

In the open field in front of SMUL Restaurant, a new kind of garden is taking shape that draws from the couple’s extensive experience in edible gardening, spanning both flowers and herbs. 

This is VELDBLOM by Diemersfontein, an inspiring community-driven project led by Oliva and Christo, two wanderers with a passion for nature and a mission to share their knowledge.

A Journey that Led to the Cape

Their story is one shaped by wanderlust and purpose, or “travel with a mission”, as Olivia affectionately describes it. After years of journeying and volunteering around the world, they discovered a deep-rooted connection with South Africa. 

The beauty of the land, the passion for and immense diversity of food, together with the warmth of the people drew them in. A memorable meeting the previous summer with Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate’s owner, Hennie De Beer, brought their shared vision to life. Their Belgian flower story has now found a home in the Western Cape, where it will unfold throughout the seasons.

Rooted in Nature and Creativity

VELDBLOM is built around the belief that soil and surroundings are the foundation of organic cultivation. Christo, a land artist, designed the garden using organic, flowing shapes that honour the nature of the landscape. They opted to establish a scent garden where guests can experience the full spectrum of colour, aroma and flavour in a setting that feels alive and inviting.

Edible flowers are becoming increasingly popular among top chefs, and the gardening duo hope to make them part of everyday healthy living. The garden will also produce seasonal blooms for weddings, events and anyone who appreciates the natural beauty of the land.

The project has deep personal roots for Oliva, who grew up on a Flemish flax farm that followed traditional organic practices. As a lifelong vegetarian, she was raised on edible flowers and wholesome cooking, and VELDBLOM reflects this passion. She describes it as one big bouquet; a place where visitors are welcome to pick and take home flowers from the field.

Growing a Community

Both Oliva and Christo are teachers, believing strongly in the power of shared knowledge, thus education plays an integral part in the initiative. They plan to offer workshops on edible flowers and herbs so that guests can explore new ways to use these ingredients in their own kitchens. 

In time, an invitation will be extended to include the various schools in and around Wellington, offering the opportunity to engage in carefully designed outdoor activities that connect children with nature.

Their goal is simple – they want to create a space where learning, creativity and the outdoors come together. They motivate their mission and commitment by stating their belief: “The sharing of skills bring instant happiness, especially when surrounded by the beauty of the farm.”

A Garden Full of Life

What Oliva and Christo are building is far more than simply another wine farm garden… It’s rather a physical manifestation and something to interact with, upheld as the beacon of a community working towards a common goal. Their vision is already bringing people together, from enthusiastic locals to members of the vineyard team, each adding their energy to the growing spirit of the project. 

VELDBLOM transcends the bounds of a paper-project – it’s a living, breathing part of Diemersfontein. A place where people can wander, learn, connect and enjoy the simple pleasure of flowers in bloom.

Follow the journey and join the community on Instagram: VELDBLOM by Diemersfontein