By James Wall
Having got out of Melbourne for a visit to an aunts 80th birthday, I headed to a little place just outside of Daylesford, down here in Victoria. A place once bustling with gold rush, but now a sleepy hollow with cows and potatoes, it was good to take a break from the big smoke.
There is another aunty who lives just down the road. Mum said to me when I left the party, call in and have a look at Marj's garden. She was good to tell me that, because around this little miners cottage was a jewel of a garden. With no one else around, it made exploring it all the more surreal.
There are formal hedges and desolate succulents on tables. Hebes, flax, climbers, iberis and big juicy hellebores that in real life were show-stoppers. This climate is cold in winter and damn hot in summer. At its wintery moment, it is like a sleeping giant, about to come alive.
What I loved about it was all the little nooks and crannys, and the way that there are different surfaces, pots and choices of plants that somehow work. If a lesser gardener tried this, it could turn into a jumbled mess, but my aunty Marj has got a real artistic style, and this garden just inspires.
I loved it so much, there are a lot of photos. I hope you enjoy them, and get something out of them for your garden. I know I will !
Lovely photos....thanks
Posted by: Ros K. | August 07, 2011 at 09:58 AM
Beautiful and inspiring! Congratulations to both gardener and photographer
Posted by: Julie Bateman | August 07, 2011 at 10:43 AM
I heard you on 3AW and went searching on the website. What lovely pictures. Not a leaf out of place. Wish my jungle looked like your Auntie's place.
Posted by: Margaret Haywood | August 07, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Thank you for sharing this wonderful old fashioned garden. Made me want to pack up and go to Daylesford for some "serenity" .
Posted by: Yvonne | August 07, 2011 at 01:19 PM
A truly lovely and peaceful garden have looked at the photos many times, and certainly well cared for.
Posted by: Lyn Middleton | August 11, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Beautiful, proud she is my mum.
Posted by: Jayne Santurini | August 11, 2011 at 01:53 PM
My friend Michael and me found the garden very well laid out and neat. Your aunt should enter a design at Chelsea next year. Dave
Posted by: Dave Gardiner | August 11, 2011 at 05:40 PM
James both of your aunties are dear friends of mine,plus all the aunts and your one uncle,You have made Marj's garden look as it feels,warm loving and great to have lunch in....sneaky you
Posted by: Pete | August 11, 2011 at 07:53 PM
A truly beautiful and much loved garden good for the soul and a lovely place to potter in.
Lyn
Posted by: Lynette Middleton | August 12, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Good one James. Love the title too ! "a country garden in august"
Posted by: Cousin sall | August 13, 2011 at 02:12 PM