I had the pleasure today of revisiting some regular clients in Connells Point for some follow up advice. I first began helping with this garden in 2013 and then planted and weeded some areas that were more difficult to get to. You see, this is an amazing garden, it has three distinct areas and is owned by passionate native plant lovers and collectors. The rear of the property drops away literally off a cliff! it is magnificent, with views to the water beyond whilst you look down on a rainforest style garden below. The front garden and middle garden are still a work in progress with water features and ponds being built but I couldn’t resist sharing some of the photos of the lower section first.

 

In the image above the plants that have been really successful in this sometimes damp boggy area are Alocasia bribanenisis, Ficus coronata and a grafted Brachychiton. Also planted for weed suppressant and screening was Podocarpus elatus, Austromyrtus dulcis and Juncus usitatus.

 

The cliff edge was weedy, slippery and dangerous and the brief was to somehow create an in-obtrusive barrier that would discourage people from going too close to the edge. I used 3 wine barrels planted with Banksia ‘Mini Marg’ and also planted out the cliff edge with Dianella caerulea, which is doing a great job of holding the soil together and marking the beginning of the danger zone. See below.

 

The plant I was most looking forward to seeing did not disappoint; on one side of the boundary there was a mess of rubble and waste which was a huge eyesore and a lot of work to keep clean. I spent a good day (in the rain) slipping about clearing this area to plant it out with a feature screening tree and weed smothering ground covers. Now this is the view when you look in that direction, I LOVE Hibiscus tiliaceus Rubra!

 

 

The slope was underplanted with Aphanopetalum resinosum, which makes a lovely thick scrambling ground cover for shady spots. You can see it in the bottom left of the image below.

The steps leading down to the Rainforest section of the garden which is filled with bush food plants and trees.

 

On the right-handside of these steps was another difficult spot where it is narrow, shady and sometimes very damp. I planted a Hymenosporum flavum and I swear it has grown 4 metres in the last 18 months. You can see it breaking through the canopy in the photo below, bottom left.

 

I will leave you with one more photo of the amazing Aphanopetalum resinosum, as it is the most useful plant and beautiful when not even flowering. More images to come of the other sections of this garden soon.