Nearer God’s heart in a garden at Rustenberg

by Diana Studer 

- gardening for biodiversity 

in Cape Town, South Africa

This year I hoped to gather rare plants for our new garden but the Rare Plant Fair has been postponed. Maybe next year? In April we will go the Plant Fair at Kirstenbosch for indigenous plants.

Nearer God’s heart in a garden. With the whole verse.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth, -

One is nearer God’s heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth.

We saw this verse displayed when we went to Rustenberg Wine Estate, near Stellenbosch for the Rare Plant Fair in March 2009. In 2008 I was so engrossed in the plants, that I didn't even realise, that there is a serious garden there.

Enchanting work
in this brick-paved path at Rustenberg

Border in Rozanne's Garden

We found Acer palmatum Black Magic for my Dark Side or Autumn Fire rose garden in Porterville. The wine dark leaves fight with the terracotta pot - I will be seeking out a sea blue green glazed pot. It will need a corner which is sheltered from both the afternoon sun and the summer Southeaster, still trying to find it that sweet spot. Wurmbea stricta Colchicum family, vlei lily (a vlei is a seasonal pond) lived in 2 pots in Plum Creek, now waiting for the new wildlife pond. White flowers with delicate burgundy markings in the centre.

Vlei lily growing at the edge of a field
outside Porterville in August 2010

As we hunt for THAT plant, so I tracked down the other verses. And the back story. And the music for the hymn.

God’s Garden 

The Lord God planted a garden

In the first white days of the world,

And he set there an angel warden

In a garment of light enfurled.

So near to the peace of Heaven,

That the hawk might nest with the wren,

For there in the cool of the even

God walked with the first of men.

And I dream that these garden closes

With their shade and their sun-flecked sod

And their lilies and bowers of roses,

Were laid by the hand of God.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth, -

One is nearer God’s heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth.

For He broke it for us in a garden

Under the olive-trees

Where the angel of strength was the warden

And the soul of the world found ease.

Pergola at Rustenberg

Once there were two sisters. The older was planning her wedding in Windermere. That hymn has a lovely tune, shame about the words though. Her sister, Dorothy Frances Gurney (1858-1932), “after fifteen minutes” came up with the words of “O perfect love”. That young bride has faded into obscurity, but Dorothy’s words live on.

(And the music? Somewhere, among sheet music from your grandmother, or in a music archive, the music slumbers on ...... I have found it! Strength and Stay by J.B. Dykes. Number 7 in the Anglican Hymn book. Words at 280.)

Remembering my Irish roots on St Patrick's Day with sandblasted Celtic knots, circle of life, on our new bathroom windows.

Pictures by Diana Studer  
of  Elephant's Eye on False Bay 

(If you mouse over teal blue text, it turns seaweed red.
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