Walk with me as I tell you a story of how my garden grew.

The challenge of producing a garden from a paddock was almost insurmountable, but armed with plenty of enthusiasm, very little money and even less knowledge I embarked on the third garden of my married life. Situated on the banks of a perennial creek, (that is one that only flows after rain), with some magnificent River red gums. The garden consisted of  a Fraxinus ‘Raywoodi’, Claret Ash, a Fraxinus oxycarpas , Desert Ash, and five small Eucalyptus citriodora and a clump of  Melaleuca armillaris,   Bracelet honey –myrtle, and not to ignore the  mandatory Lisbon lemon.  I embarked on an  a life time adventure.

Entrance to garden

I brought with me 100 cuttings already potted of  Populus deltoides Cottonwood USA which would line, when fenced, the ½ kilometre drive. 93 found a new home complete with drip line and they make a fine entrance 20 years later.

 The wire farm fence surrounding this relatively new house and no garden was removed and the garden plan was developed. Adopting the ‘put and look’ design technique I placed stakes where I wanted trees. This vision involved about 2½ hectares. I don’t know if you would describe it as a concept plan, but a rough drawing based on the area was all I had to go on, hoping to get the form and structure right. Totally exposed to the elements, neighbours and the road I wanted the house and subsequent garden to eventually be nestled into the landscape and not at odds with the environment.