My Neighbours Garden

The silver trunks of the Eucalyptus' trees lining the driveway as it meanders up the hill

Today I'm going to write about my friend Yvettes garden. Yvette and I went to school together and learnt about Horticulture! We also built our display gardens at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show together.  So we have a little bit of a history and a shared passion.

The gorgeous wysteria overlooking the pool area adds a feeling of history and softness .

Yvette and  her husband  and two children live in the outer northern suburbs of Melbourne on a very steep block .Some of the original garden is still there and Yvette has made good use of her plant knowledge and passion for horticulture and design to establish a functional, sustainable  and beautiful garden.

Lavender bushes which have survived since the garden was orginally built, over look the new veggie beds. The flowers will attract bees and help polinate the veggies.

It is a combination of traditional exotic plants such as Camellias, roses, lavenders,  along with already established native trees and more modern native shrubs and creepers. In amongst this, she has also included a  veggie patch and fruit trees, some from the original garden, and recently  they have also included a pool.

The wooden fence around the pool keeps the pool safe, but also is more organic alternative to the metal, or glass fencing often used.

New Veggie beds which have been put in over the last couple of weeks.

 It is the perfect blend of garden rooms, allowing for the kids and also many places for the adults to get lost and spend a bit of time alone,  still  it retains privacy and bit of the old world charm.  I can't really do it that much justice so i wont try, the photo's speak for themselves.

The beautiful Ceonathus papillosus keeps the bees in the area very busy!

The irises will take over when the Ceonathus is finished.

A chair for a sleepy garden spirit.

Leading you up the garden path!

The meandering drive lazily makes its way up the hill

A mix of natives and exotics add variety and colour.

Native shrubs mass planted on the embankment

Siennas Park, a gift given to Yvettes daughter

A truly lovely garden and a great acheivement  and like most gardens, always evolving.

My Neighbours Garden.

Today's post is about my friend Josie's garden which is in the heart of Melbourne's northern suburbs.

Originally from South Australia Josie and her family moved into their home about 13 years ago when the kids were still little.  Its a typical Victorian style, Melbourne weatherboard cottage and over the years Josie and her partner Andrew have landscaped and adapted the garden to suite their family and lifestyle.

The back garden is a place to relax and enjoy a bbq with friends and family .

Josie likes to do quite a lot of entertaining so a comfortable and attractive back garden with a place to sit and have a meal and even more importantly cook on the bbq, was essential to them.

Although the garden is quite small they have found places to plant herbs and even a couple of citrus trees, and have a small veggie patch. 

This small garden bed is actually an extension of the driveway which used to lead to the garage. However this was considered a wast of space so Josie made good use of the area to plant some small trees and an area which is great for bulbs and annuals. At this time of year the area is perfect for Snowdrops, while the Silver Birchs take a well earned rest from Melbourne's warmer weather.
In the back ground you can see the huge Monstero deliciosa which was abandoned by an old flat mate of Andrews and years later,  after living in a pot for ages, Josie planted it  in the garden in this south facing shady area. The position obviously suites it well.

A kick back from the seventies the Monstero deliciosa has both flowers and fruit!

Who says tropical plants don't grow in Melbourne!

The peppercorn tree is a feature in the back garden, Josie planted this when they first moved in and it has thrived

Further down the back of the garden the peppercorn tree provides shade from the hot afternoon sun in the summer and a bit of seclusion if you need it. Its a nice spot to sit on a warm evening and escape!

A secluded seat after a long day!

A small birdbath for thirsty birds

In the front garden the pathway is framed on either side by two areas of paving with a standard cherry on one side and a Jacaranda on the other, giving a leafy welcome in the summer and adding symmetry to an A-symmetrical entrance.

Circular paving around the Weeping Cherry

The front verandah and entrance way

A beautiful  Pierre de Ronsard Rose climbs around the verandah with its gentle pink blooms giving the garden a very feminine feel when it flowers .

So thats my neighbours garden for this week,  it  is a pretty, low maintenance, cottage style garden, which suites both the climate and the property. I hope you enjoyed it , and please remember feed back is always welcome!