Company’s Garden

The Company’s Garden, established in 1652 by the Dutch East India Company as a supply garden for passing ships, remains one of South Africa’s oldest cultivated landscapes and an enduring civic landmark.

Over time, the garden’s northern precinct — including its historic fernery and mature tree canopy — had declined through deferred maintenance, diminishing the visibility of its botanical and cultural significance.

Appointed by the City of Cape Town, Earthworks Landscape Architects undertook the restoration of the fernery and forest walkways, together with a comprehensive tree survey and the preparation of a clear, archival-quality presentation plan.

The project approached the garden as a living heritage landscape — conserving its layered history, strengthening its botanical structure, and restoring shaded routes that have shaped public experience for generations.

The outcome reinforces the garden’s role as both civic space and historic record, ensuring its legacy is legible, protected, and sustained for the future.

Conceptual Plant layout in a sunny zone

Conceptual plant design for a shaded walkway