 | Lewis & Faith Gratton .: 177 Kentucky Street, Armidale |
Hidden behind a high hedge, our garden always comes as something of a surprise to visitors. People passing by remain unaware of the breadth, depth and diversity of the garden that meanders and flows over half an acre, as it continues to develop and mature as the years pass.
We moved into our home in 1997 and started work on the garden in 1998. The property was essentially a blank canvas. It was however, graced with some magnificent, mature trees, which included a claret ash and a stand of elms. Until this move, we had always planted trees but had never had the opportunity to see them mature, so we set out to work selectively with the established trees.
Ours is largely a shaded garden. In the design process, our aim was to work with the light and to create a harmonious flow from one space to another, where the wanderer may catch a glimpse of an adjacent area as they move through the garden. As the garden has developed we have endeavoured to layer the planting to provide variety throughout the seasons.
Camellias, azaleas and oakleaf hydrangeas flourish in the curving borders that frame the front garden, which also features a weeping cherry tree and a medlar. In mid Summer the bank of white agapanthas are at their best, while in Autumn white nerines light the borders. As we enjoy the sound of splashing water, we have incorporated a variety of water features throughout the garden. In this particular area, a small pond and lotus water dribbler is sited by the topiaries near the front door and brings us much joy throughout the year.
Among the first tasks we tackled was to move the ubiquitous Hill’s hoist clothesline from the middle of the north western garden to a newly created service yard on the eastern boundary. This is sheltered behind a trellis abundant with climbing Pinkie and Champagne roses, which, along with Albertine, Mme Zephrine Druin and Cirque du Soleil climbing roses, frame a rose garden on the sunny eastern side of the property. Also on this side we have recently developed a small but productive vegetable garden in raised beds and adjacent a small sunny terrace to sit and enjoy the morning sun.
On the western side we created a raised terrace, in the centre of which is a fountain. It is a place to sit, linger and meditate. This in turn, flows into a shaded garden of mature trees under-planted with shrubs and maples. This part of the garden is home to our white doves.
Working in the garden over the years has been a labour of love. Along the way, we established sitting areas and ensured we made time to stop and enjoy the results of our efforts as we worked.
Welcome to our garden! We hope you linger and enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed its creation.
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