I had always dreamed of a walled garden

 I had always dreamed of a walled garden, obviously unrealistic from a cost point of view and also that of location. I had visited a number of walled gardens both here and overseas and always loved the feeling of entering a very private and beautiful world stimulating the senses, like being enveloped in Alice’s Wonderland.

 Not to be deterred I embarked on a simple form of design. Starting with a walk of Ioensis, Malus ioensis plena, 10 in number, five each side. At the far end I planted a semicircle of conifers to hedge in and make a back drop for the end of the walk. Now the conifers presented me with a dilemma so off to Ashcombe Maze on the Mornington peninsular to discuss their type of conifer that could take constant trimming and had small soft foliage.  I arrived home with about twelve pots of Cupressus macrocarpa. Being drought tolerant they grew amazingly well but after 13 years of severe drought and at about 18 years of age they died and have now been replaced with Portuguese Laurel, P. lusitanca.

On either side of the walk I drew large semi circles with a hose to mark as perennial beds. Fully exposed to the sun I was able to plant roses , echiums, clematis on frames , lilies , cannas, salvias, cat mint, philadelphus,  buddleia (B. davidi),  iris and a variety of ground covers.  For height and variation of foliage, on the right hand side facing north I planted two Chinese elms of unknown origin as they were given to me in tubes unnamed. Two crab apples and a maple.  On the left hand side I planted two lilacs, a pomegranate, a lemon tree and a climbing rose on a frame. The clematis has been amazingly resilient during the drought.

 And so I have my walled garden, now in spring, a profusion of perfume, blossom and gentle colour.