Hillary Rugut is a farmer from Nandi County.
When he decided to remove maize from his land to cultivate flowers and trees, many of his neighbors considered his actions to be irrational.
They questioned his choice, noting that most farmers in the area depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, typically growing maize or tea in any available space.
Nevertheless, Rugut, who is a professional surveyor, envisioned a retirement home that would be aesthetically pleasing, adorned with grass, trees and flowers.
“This used to be a maize plantation. When I built this house in 2017, the land was all sandy and dusty, with not a blade of grass in sight,” he says.
Rugut developed a passion for gardening early in his life.
His father had a fondness for cultivating native trees and adorned the area surrounding their modest hut with flowers, despite the limited space available.
“I love ornamental and exotic plants, a passion I inherited from my father. After college, my friend Amos asked me to survey his land. He also loved flowers and had a seedlings nursery. Amos would give me seedlings that were of no use to him for me to plant,” he said.
Rugut transformed the appearance of his home in the village of Chematich by planting one tree after another.
“Some people told me that I should have planted tea or maize on all those acres. But in life, do what you love, and not what people want you to do,” he says.
What has proven effective for him is his choice to cultivate only those trees and flowers that are easy to propagate, possess pleasant fragrances, and exhibit vibrant colors.
Within his half-acre garden, Rugut has successfully established approximately 500 plants.
The area appears significantly more expansive than its actual size, thanks to the diverse array of flowers in shades of red, yellow, pink, and green, along with the tall trees that serve as windbreaks.
His garden features a variety of plants, including roses, succulents, heliconias, birds of paradise, snake plants, an assortment of colored durantas, Jacob’s coat, coleus, and many others.
The majority of these plants have been sourced from neighbors and subsequently propagated.
“Most people are not aware of the value of the plants in their compound; Some often consider them to be weeds,” he stated.
Initially, Rugut planted three plants, the Italian cypress, benjamina and golden palm which were gifted to him by his friend, continue to thrive as remarkable features within the compound.
While he cherishes all of his nearly 500 plants, it is the resilient Dahlia that brings him immense joy when it blossoms.
“Dahlias is my favourite plant because it comes in many varieties, it is easy to propagate and is resistant to pests and diseases. The internet has been a resource for me. I learned how to organise and plant. It is not as if I saved money to build it. It was a gradual process, so it’s hard to say exactly how much I spent because I didn’t keep any records,” he said.
The front yard features an impressive array of over 50 species of plants and flowers, arranged in distinct tiers: upper, middle, and lower sections.
In the upper tier, one can find vibrant yellow and green duranta, the greenish-purplish Rugut nestled in its cradle, and the prominent giant herb-Robert.
The choice of Kikuyu grass has resulted in a lush covering throughout the garden, complemented by blooming varieties such as Japanese spiraea, moss campion, red amaranth, and sweet William.
Rather than merely serving as a vast expanse of grass, the lawn has been enhanced with thoughtfully designed mini gardens, adding a dynamic touch of color and visual interest to the overall landscape.
“I love linear, curved, and circular designs because they create a unique and beautiful view and are also easy to maintain.
“I don’t have any exotic lawns; the one in my garden is a natural Kikuyu grass that grows naturally in Nandi. I just maintain it,” he said.
Rugut’s wife and child assist in irrigating the lawn biweekly.
However, pests like aphids and various diseases often threaten their endeavors, which they manage to control using fungicides.
During weekends, in addition to utilizing the garden as a tranquil retreat, he also welcomes paying visitors who come to capture photographs and videos.
