“Russell Trope has been responsible for nurturing and maintaining a unique experiment in fynbos rehabilitation over the past 5 years. Working with the original plan conceived by consultant Marijke Honig, Russell was the site manager for Marina Landscaping and laid out the original garden. He subsequently established his own business, Utropia, and has turned what was a previously heavily degraded area, planted with long established exotics, into indigenous woodland and riverine sanctuaries. These now support a wide variety of indigenous and endemic flora and fauna including endangered species like Western Leopard Toads.

The Trustees of the estate have always found Russell to have a deep knowledge of fynbos and to be committed to the best interests of the estate.
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Paul ZuckermanHigh Constatia Estate Home Owners Association

“It gives me great pleasure to refer Utropia as a professional landscaping and garden maintenance provider. Russell Trope is contracted to The Met residential complex and was part of the intitial team to landscape the property for the developer at the completion of the project in 2005. We find Russell to be very professional and reliable with a well trained team on our site to take care of the maintenance of the existing garden.

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Lynn Jacobs Portfolio Manager Faircape Management Services

“Utropia Landscaping has been maintaining the gardens at the Twelve Apostles Hotel since June 2008.

Russell and his team have been meticulous and ensured that the hotel gardens are in a pristine condition throughout the year.

The general quality of service has been excellent and both Russell and onsite staff are responsive and willing to attend to any garden related works at short notice if necessary and are sensitive to the specific needs of a hotel enviroinment.

We have also benefited greatly from Russell’s expertise and plant knowledge which has ensured professional management of the gardens. We highly recommend Utropia Landscaping.

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Gavin Ferreira Deputy General Manager Twelve Apostles Hotel

“Russell Trope co-designed and landscaped a five acre indigenous garden for me in 2004. Russell really did a fantastic job. Not only was his planning, budgeting, plant selection and landscaping work of a high professional standard … but he has remained available and very helpful over the years. He is passionate and proud of his work. I can highly recommend Utropia to any discerning garden lover, architect and contractor.

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Richard BowsherDe Goedehoop Estate, Noordhoek

“I have been a customer of Utropia for over ten years and in all that time have found the quality and reliability of the service top class. A big estate such as Zonnestraal Farm can be difficult to manage and Russell and his team have tackled the task with ease and overcome any difficult issues with a “can do, no problem” attitude which is something I really value and appreciate. I would not hesitate to recommend Utropia to anyone. Further references available on request.

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Duncan Parker Owner: Zonnestraal Farm Constantia