Unfortunately due to extensive flooding at the garden we have had to withdraw this garden from Garden DesignFest. We greatly appreciate the Owner and Designer’s efforts to keep the garden open. Many thanks. Garden DesignFest Team.
Only built and planted 2 years ago, this garden still has a lot of growing to do, but already there has been an abundance of activity and growth.
The owners wanted to turn their under-utilised farm dam into a habitat haven for local fauna and a place for exploration for both adults and children.
Like most rural properties, existing local plant life is rarely preserved, so using regenerative principles we did a lot of research looking into local plants that could be reintroduced back to the area. As you walk into the space you will see a yellow mass of yellow globular button shaped flowers, consisting of pycnosorus globosus, craspedia paludicola and craspedia variabilis, along with the rare swamp paper daisy, xerochysum palustre and if in bloom the white flowering heads of brachyscome basaltica var. gracilis.
Lythrum salicaria brings in a flowering element of bright pink amongst various species of local rushes that provide habitat to aquatic species and a nesting place for water loving birds.
During the construction phase, the existing dam was reshaped, and additional local basalt boulders were introduced to create interest, stabilise the banks and to provide habitat for wildlife. You will notice a small island which was built to provide a safe haven for the owners ducks and any other visitor trying to avoid Mr Fox.
A timeless dry stacked basalt stone wall brings an element of structure and a place to sit and observe the waterbody, the sawn stone steps lead to a cluster of Eucalyptus trees, that in time will dominate and create a secluded space amongst an understory of native grasses.
The windmill is an icon in the rural Australian landscape and is used here to oxygenate and move water across the site. Two large established willows were retained for much needed shade in the heat of summer while the other willows were removed to make space for local tree species.
This garden is still yet to be finalised with a large deck and boardwalk under the willow and to connect the waterfall near the windmill. Like all farms, work is never finished, there is always something to be done.