Birthday Bunnies

Velour's second attempt at becoming a mother has resulted these 5 adorable kits. 21 days old, they were born on my birthday.

Flower Power

Purchased from McLaren Vale Garden Centre, this rusty flower is just one of the little delights that will surprise when walking along the new path in the Camellia Garden.

Having a Ball or 3

These three concrete balls were purchased from Studio 180. I like the simplicity of spheres and the look great as a group of 3.

New Additions to the Veggie Garden

3 rusty cooks purchased from McLaren Vale Garden Centre

Two Amazing Garden Decor Outlets in one Town

Today Rod and I travelled to McLaren Vale to check out some ornamentation possibilities for the current Camellia garden project.

Studio 180 I found online and Ron had a great range of statues, pots, bird baths and more. Variations, delivery and special requests can be accommodated. The mind is ticking away about the possibilities.

Only 2 doors down the road is McLarev Vale Garden Centre. They actually stock a lot of Rons products  and so much more and their prices are great. 

We made a few purchases from here and I had to hold myself back from getting carried away with impulsive buying. So many lovely things. More ideas to throw around too.

Stay tuned for show and tell on the latest acquisitions.

Camellia Garden Defined

It is time to make one of our original garden beds into a garden we can be proud of.

With new plants on the way from Garden Express it is time to make some design decisions. 

A sub-path winding it's way between the plants has added new definition to the garden. Left over black slate tiles from the kitchen have been used.

Flowers for Belinda

Flowers for Penni

Flowers for Brigitte

Flowers for Carolyn

F

35

ASH TREE GARDEN

Ash trees of Ashwell are planted here. This garden has also been neglected for many years but is essentially a woodland garden.  Azaleas and Rhododendrons grow with a Manna Ash, Claret Ash, Golden Ash, Common Ash and a silver (variegated) Ash. 

34

VEGGIE GARDEN

Definitely a more successful location than the Partere garden for growing many vegetables. The tree you see planted in the lawn area is a Macadamia.

33

COMPOST

I’ve got worms and I’m proud of it.  Turning garden waste into beautiful rich compost  and returning it back into the garden is truly rewarding.

32

PARTERE GARDEN

This was our first vegetable garden but the shady conditions and constant dropping of bark and branches from the impressive gum tree were not successful.  Blackberries on the other hand have been successful and for many years when I was working full time this whole garden was completely covered by the brambles due to my lack of attention.  Now retaining just a few blackberries on a recently installed trellis and adding raspberries and blue berries to the mix , this garden has returned to a working kitchen/flower garden.

31

CAMELLIA GARDEN

The larger camellias are from the garden of Rod’s family home in Crafers and one is from my Grandfather’s garden in Heathfield.  Eventually the stump at the end of the path will be removed and the concrete table and 2 benches that are in the open glade will move into this secluded setting.

30

ARCH AND ARBOR

Designed by Jenny Kemp, crafted by Peter Kemp.  Again you will see the Fish Tail design in the metal work frieze.  Eventually there will be a Jarrah bench installed in the arbor, but you can’t rush these things or maybe we are still drying out the timber which Rod has had in storage for 20+ years.  The climbers are Clematis.

29

CONIFER CORNER

You guessed it – conifers are planted here. 

28

GREY BANK

Once full of sun loving, grey leaf plants.  This remnant garden is in limbo awaiting some grand steps up to the Potted Citrus (imagine walking through the terracotta roofed arch/lych gate when you get to the top).

27

 OPEN GLADE

Watch this space; future plans may include a water feature and gazebo.

26

OAK TREE GARDEN

Dedicated to my dear friend Ros Thompson 1961-2013 the finishing touches are not long completed.  This has been a labour of love and the Oak tree and the Kangaroo Paw are of special significance for Ros. 

25

                                                                                 PIERRE DE RONSARD ROSE ARCH

I call this Merridy’s rose and whilst it is meant to be a vigorous climber the Oak tree is probably taking moisture and nutrients and shading it so that what you see is about the extent of growth I get each year.  Rod crafted this arch and you will notice the Fish Tail design in the metal work frieze.

24

BARN

Look up to the highest point of the barn to see Rod’s special birthday present.  The weather-vane with Eagle soaring mimics the Moto Guzzi motor bike logo of which Rod has a restoration project on the go inside. 

23

MAPLE BORDER

This garden merges with the Barn Garden and between the two there is a Variegated Maple, Norway Maple,  Japanese Maple,  Weeping Japanese Maple and Coral Bark maple 'Sango Kaku'.  To the front of the barn and the side I have tried to include plants with red/burgundy foliage to compliment the burgundy light shades on the front of the Barn.

22

 GRANITE ISLAND

This path leads you to Granite Island – so called because of the pieces of black granite forming a decorative design set into the mortar and river pebbles to mimic the shape of the love seat.

21

  ROSE BORDER

I have taken the liberty to include Rock Roses and a Peony Rose to this so called rose garden. The true roses include Cecil Brunner, Standard DA Heritage and Sophie’s Rose.  Salvias are another prominent planting I have included here along with flag iris.  The flowering Cherry tree was a wrongly labelled purchase but has become a favourite with its green flowers in Spring.

20

TRIANGLE GARDEN

The weeping standard rose is Seafoam and the underplantings are Purple Cloud Agapanthus and 14 Hebe which I have propagated – the new growth features purple tips which appeals to me more than the flowers.  On each point of the triangle is planted The Fairy rose.  This garden is getting quite shady from the Oak tree and the standard rose so I may need to move the Agapanthus to a sunnier garden if I want to enjoy this special purple variety of Aggie.

19

 ICEBERG ARCH

Originally this was a single arch but the growth of the climbing rose went straight up and did not look at all right.  The addition of a second arch has now resulted in a tunnel of roses and is a successful improvement.

18

WHITE GARDEN

The box border here has had some setbacks but it will eventually be a zigzag edge.  Arum Lilly, Snowball Tree and a Silver Pear feature in this garden and appropriately have white flowers.  I have also introduced some variegated leaf plants for added interest.  The bank either side of the brick steps should eventually be covered with Catmint.

17

HERB GARDEN

The terracotta tiles used to create this fan shaped garden have special significance for Rod and myself as they were removed from the roof of the Lych Gate at the Church where we were married, when the church was later sold.  Not all the plants are herbs but over time I will probably rectify that.

16

STONE SEAT

The last few years have seen the addition of many stone constructions by Rod.  This seat is the first to be completed.  There are more to come.

15

  SQUARE DIAMONDS

Can you notice the repetitive use of square diamonds?  The path, the wires training the climbing Jasmine and Rod’s sculpture.

14

  APPLE TREE

One of the few garden plants that were existing on the property when we bought it 31 years ago.  We have plans for circular paving under this tree and ……………….watch this space.

13

 ALY’S GARDEN

The weeping cherry with double pink flowers is our choice of tree for Aly.  Within the box hedge, Japanese maples are a favourite of mine and were chosen to replace Standard Iceberg Roses.  Our most recent house extension created too much shade, which resulted in leggy roses.  The maples love it and I have added White Japanese Wind Flowers between the Maples.  I’m turning Japanese, I think I’m turning Japanese, I really think so………..  The maples have interest in all seasons, bare stems in winter hold drops of water that glisten like diamonds, spring sees fresh new green leaves break from a red covering and very delicate flowers hang downwards.  Leaves look lush in summer and finally in Autumn the leaves turn red and orange colours which warm the soul.

12

ALEX’S GARDEN

The Blue Atlas Cedar - Cedrus atlantica glauca is our choice of tree for Alex.  The underplanting is White Agapanthus and Erigeron.  Oakleaf Hydrangeas are preparing to bring attention to the central spaces within the Agapanthus planting.

11

FRONT TERRACES

This front area is mostly Natives and is one of the first gardens created by us.  The gravel paths through this area have been added one at a time in more recent years.  The lush green bushes which I have used repeatedly here and in a couple other garden areas are Acacia Cognata.  “Who-Me” is the garden dragon and “Rusty” sits by the rustic seat, under the large stringy bark.  Please take note of the artistic markings on the 3 totems – nature at work.

10

COURTYARD

A tankstand once stood where the table is now.  Many, many weekends of back breaking effort were applied to remove the concrete slab and bedrock so that the paving that you see now could be laid.  Then followed the time consuming building of bench, trellis, door and arch.  Rod believes he could have built a house for the same effort and time expended on this project.  I take credit for growing the standard Lilly Pillys from seedlings purchased from Petticoat Lane – 4 seedlings for 40cents.

9

 NURSERY AREA

Originally created to accommodate the growing of tree seedlings for Trees for Life, this area is now home to Strawberries and propagated plants on a temporary basis.

8

 ROD’S STEPS

Rod built these steps in 2005 to replace the original wooden steps that had completely deteriorated.

7

THE NOOK

This garden is dedicated to Fiona Kemp 1956-1994.  Three terracotta fairies have pride of place.  It is imperative that this garden does not need too much attention as hopper ants live within the drystone walling and any work undertaken is best done over winter when they are less active.

6

 LAWN GARDEN

We are in the process of introducing Kikuyu grass into this lawn for its drought resistance. The Clothes line is an original Hills Hoist and is still under discussion as to its permanence. This box hedge and all the others at Ashwell have been propagated by me but the hedge trimming is definitely Rod’s expertise.  The standard roses are DA  Molineux and the one on the trellis is DA Graham Thomas.

5

  THE CUBBY

Built by Rod in 1994, the cubby house is sadly in need of repair.  The balustrade is definitely not to be trusted; however, Baxter and Velour are more than happy to call this home.