Rooted in the Garden: Conversations with Gundula Deutschländer and Constance Stuurman
Garden Day is all about gathering, connecting and celebrating the green spaces that bring us joy. Few understand this magic more deeply than Gundula Deutschländer and Constance Stuurman, two of the green-fingered minds at Babylonstoren and long-time ambassadors of the Garden Day movement. Having been part of the inaugural Garden Day a decade ago, they continue to champion gardens, plants and the joy that comes from cultivating green spaces. We caught up with Gundula and Constance to chat about their earliest garden memories, the tools they swear by, and the aspects of gardening that continue to inspire them – both at home and at Babylonstoren.
Q&A with Gundula Deutschländer
Image: Supplied
Is there a plant or flower that holds special meaning for you?
“Olive trees – especially wild olives – hold deep meaning for me. I feel as though I’ve walked hand-in-hand with them for decades along my life’s path. They give me courage. There’s something about their endurance, paired with an almost playful presence, that I find endlessly appealing.”
Who inspired your love for plants or gardening?
“My parents. My father encouraged my mother, who went on to become a landscaper. She just turned 79, had a knee replacement two months ago, and is already back working with clients and designing new gardens. We often share plant discoveries and bounce ideas off each other; it’s something special we still connect over.”
Are there any garden hacks or tools you swear by?
“Good compost and healthy soil, always. I follow a biodynamic approach and use the biodynamic planting calendar religiously. There’s something reassuring about gardening in rhythm with the universe – it makes the work feel both grounded and expansive.”
What’s your favourite part of the work you currently do?
“Listening to the birds. Of course, I can do that at home too, but there’s something particularly special about having that as part of my workday at Babylonstoren and then sharing it with others. I also love the garden community we’ve built: colleagues, students, and volunteers who bring their own energy to the space. My favourite thing to do is create new designs or refresh areas with new compositions – it keeps everything alive and evolving.”
Q&A with Constance Stuurman
Image: Supplied
Is there a plant or flower that holds special meaning for you?
“I’ve always had a soft spot for Artemisia herbs, a wonderfully diverse genus in the daisy family, prized for their aromatic foliage and medicinal properties. These plants take me straight back to childhood, and they’ve remained a constant, whether used to soothe a fever or ward off a bout of flu.”
Who first inspired your love for plants or gardening?
“That would be my great-grandmother. We lived together on a big plot, and every morning before school and again in the afternoons after homework, we’d work the land together. Each season brought new vegetables and plants, and it was through her that I developed a deep love for getting my hands into the soil.”
Are there any garden hacks or tools you swear by?
“You might laugh, but I absolutely swear by a good old garden fork. It’s my go-to for loosening and lightening soil—and it even doubles as a rake. I never garden without it!”
What’s your favourite part of the work you currently do?
“I love creating decorations using the incredible variety of vegetables, fruit, and herbs grown at Babylonstoren. Every season brings something new to plant, which means no table setting or event ever looks the same. That element of freshness and surprise keeps me inspired.”
Small Ways to Celebrate Garden Day
Even if you don’t have a sprawling garden, there are plenty of ways to bring a little Garden Day magic into your space, taking inspiration from Gundula and Constance:
Serve olives or herbal treats: Inspired by Gundula’s love for olive trees and Constance’s passion for Artemisia herbs, add olives, fresh herbs, or small herbal bites to your table.
Pick seasonal blooms: Just like Gundula’s memory of golden silky oak flowers, or Constance’s mornings in the garden with her great-grandmother, fresh flowers instantly brighten any space.
Create a sensory experience: Add herbs or aromatic plants to your picnic or table setting. Smelling, touching and tasting these plants can bring the garden to life indoors.
Use simple garden tools creatively: A small garden fork, jam jars, or vases can double as décor, echoing Constance’s playful and practical approach to gardening.
Celebrate growth: Plant a seed, a small herb, or a cutting. Whether for yourself or as a shared gift, it’s a small way to nurture life, just as Gundula and Constance do every day.