Reviving beauty: How a ruin became a gardener’s haven

But where others saw disrepair, Susan saw her 'forever home'.

"I bought the house in 2014 while on a vacation as a diaspora buyer, and I knew this was where I wanted to put down roots," she recalls.

After moving in in 2019, she embarked on a journey to restore both the house and its surroundings. The work was extensive, but she didn't take on the task alone.

"I hired a live-in fundi, a former foreman with extensive construction experience - and together we slowly transformed the house, restoring its character and making it truly my own," she says.

The transformation extended beyond the house to the garden, which was a blank surface of untapped potential. The outdoor space had been stripped bare by previous tenants, leaving only a few towering trees. But Susan saw an opportunity to create something deeply personal.

"With a blank space, I had the chance to create something meaningful," she says. "I knew I didn't want to wait years for it to look mature, so I worked with what I had - cuttings, potted plants and transplants from my old house."

In just five years, the once-overlooked property has transformed into a vibrant and welcoming reserve. The once-neglected house now radiates warmth and personality, while the thriving garden creates a space that feels as if it has existed for decades.

Today, Kitisuru's property market tells a different story. A decade ago, the average house in the area was valued at Sh39.1 million. Now prices have soared, with properties going up to Sh400 million, depending on size and features, according to the Kenya Property Centre.

As Nairobi's oldest estates continue to evolve, one of the biggest challenges for homeowners like Susan is the increasing pressure from developers.

"We are actively fighting to keep Kitisuru as a purely residential area," she says. "Several court cases are pending, but we remain committed."

While many people see property solely in terms of its monetary value, Susan believes that the value of a home goes far beyond its market price. To her, a home isn't just about bricks and mortar - it's about the life that flourishes in and around it. Nothing embodies this philosophy more than gardening.

Gardening in eye of the beholder

"Gardening, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder," she says. "It may not always increase the value of a house on paper, but it brings immense personal joy."

Tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac, her garden is bursting with life, colour and meaning, and entering it is like stepping into a secret world.

Our tour of the garden begins at the entrance, and what feels like a two-hour walk passes in the blink of an eye.

Time slows down here and the air buzzes with the gentle flutter of butterfly wings, the occasional chirp of a sunbird and the whisper of leaves swaying in the breeze.

For Susan, the garden is not just an aesthetic feature; it is a sanctuary - a living, breathing extension of the home and a place of healing.

Symbolic gardening

A psychologist by training, Susan has poured her heart into what she calls 'symbolic gardening', an approach immersed in memory, nostalgia and mindfulness.

Every inch of her three-quarter-acre garden tells a story. From the towering trees that have stood as silent witnesses to history, to the delicate hanging orchids that demand and receive daily admiration, the beauty is both wild and deliberate - a delicate balance between controlled chaos and botanical perfection.

Her garden is structured yet wild; it embodies a balance between order and natural beauty.

With 2,000 potted plants, 60 hanging baskets and 11 bird baths and feeders, the space is meticulously planned.

Tall, dramatic hanging baskets dangle from tree branches, while staghorn ferns and air plants create a lush canopy below.

“The pots serve a dual purpose: not only do they allow for controlled maintenance, they also create an instantly mature look, transforming a space into a thriving garden overnight,” she says.

The colour scheme is vibrant and intentional, favouring bold shades of red, yellow and purple. Plants that bloom all year round are arranged in a pattern to ensure there is always something in bloom, whatever the season.

Seasonal bloomers such as amaryllis and agapanthus are scattered throughout the garden, surprising visitors with unexpected bursts of beauty.

An avocado tree weaves through a yellow-flowered creeper in a striking natural collaboration. A yellow Nandi flame tree from Vipingo lights up the garden like a golden torch. Bougainvillea and hibiscus - those easy-care, ever-blooming showstoppers - make their presence known.

Among her favourite plants, hibiscus and bougainvillaea require minimal maintenance yet provide endless colour. But it's the Rhypsalis that really captures her heart.

"It’s delicate, cascading vines change colour in the sun, from deep green to fiery red," she says.

The collection

The collection includes imported plants such as Medinilla speciosa, striking, low-maintenance beauties that retail for around Sh7,500.

The veranda, a semi-enclosed space adorned with hydrangeas, serves as the heart of the home, where family and friends gather to share meals, laughter and memories. With room for more than 30 guests, it is the perfect setting for storytelling sessions and impromptu garden tours.

"No two months in this garden look the same," says Susan. "After Easter, the agapanthus blooms in full force, and at Christmas the Easter cactus steals the show."

The garden is no ordinary space; it is a living masterpiece, a carefully curated paradise bursting with colour, texture and meaning. It serves as a sanctuary for the soul, a refuge for wildlife and a tribute to a love story that transcends time.

Beyond the main garden is a hidden retreat, enclosed by its own gate adorned with monarch butterflies, symbolising transformation - a tribute to Susan's late husband, who died of glioblastoma multiforme (brain tumor) in 2013. A swinging bench sits under a lush canopy, offering her a quiet space for reflection.

Just when I thought I had seen it all, a rare Medinilla magnifica (arguably the diva of the plant world) makes a dramatic appearance with its oversized, drooping pink flowers. As Susan says, "Every garden deserves a little drama".

Over 600 plant varieties

The garden boasts over 600 varieties and species of plants, shrubs and flowers. Some are native, such as hibiscus, oleander, bottlebrush, fuchsia, begonia, spider plants, impatiens, palms and ferns, while others are considered exotic, including philodendrons, donkey tails, staghorn ferns, rhypsalis, bromeliads, hoya carnosa, cacti, lilies and orchids, which are typically grown on the veranda.

This garden is also a haven for wildlife. Birds, squirrels and geckos roam freely, creating a thriving ecosystem. Eagles sometimes soar overhead, while smaller birds such as sunbirds, ibises and robins flit through the trees.

Throughout the garden, you'll find totems - sacred objects rich in personal and cultural significance. Birds, insects and mystical symbols appear in sculptures, masks, chandeliers, wind chimes and lanterns, each piece telling a quiet story of connection.

Owls symbolise wisdom, sunbirds represent resilience, flamingos embody grace, peacocks represent beauty and confidence, and the monarch butterfly gate marks the entrance to transformation.

Even the plants have their own stories. Some were brought from Susan's mother's farm in Nyandarua, others were gifts from friends, and still others were rescued from previous homes - like long-lost family members.

"The plants I bring into my garden aren't just for aesthetics; each one has a meaning, a memory or a connection to a loved one. It's what makes the space feel alive," Susan explains.

Sustainability philosophy

Such a magnificent garden doesn't just happen - it takes dedication, knowledge and an understanding of nature's rhythms. Sustainability is at the heart of Susan's gardening philosophy.

Every leaf, flower cuttings and kitchen waste is recycled into rich, organic soil. Two massive 10,000-litre rainwater tanks ensure the garden thrives even during dry spells.

Aphids, spider mites, thrips and mealybugs are persistent intruders, but careful pruning and organic solutions keep them at bay.

She laughs as she recalls her early struggles with orchids. "When I was first given one, I didn't know how to look after it. When the flowers faded, I put it aside, hoping it would magically come back to life- it didn't. That's when I realised that orchids need attention... and maybe a bit of daily "sweet talk".

Balance between work and gardening has been seamless. Unlike her previous life in the UK, where days were tightly scheduled, she now enjoys the freedom to nurture both her plants and her passion projects.

Rather than constantly buying new plants, she focuses on propagation, ensuring that her garden is self-sustaining.

Soil care is key. She rarely replaces it entirely - only once every two years - but carefully enriches it with compost and a little manure. Kitisuru's red soil, though rich in nutrients, is dense and can impede drainage, so she uses it sparingly.

Legacy, love and renewal

This garden isn't just about plants - it's about legacy, love and the constant cycle of renewal. Some of her trees will outlive their planters, standing as monuments to a life well lived. As the seasons change, so does the garden, evolving, just like Susan.

Her love of plants began when she was a little girl, but her passion for gardening really took root in 2008 while living in the UK, where the seasons dictated a structured, limited approach.

“Moving back to Kenya has allowed me to embrace a more spontaneous, experimental style. Here, anything is possible,” she says.

She has extended this philosophy beyond the garden. Her office, originally a servants' quarters, has been transformed into a therapy room filled with plants.

As a psychologist, she believes in the profound healing power of nature. Even the walls reflect her passion - where direct planting isn't possible, plant-themed wallpapers bring greenery into the room.

When she's not gardening or working, you'll find her in the kitchen; "I'm a good cook," she boasts.

"When I look around at this breathtaking sanctuary, I wouldn't have it any other way," says the mother of two.

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