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Tag Archives: garden design

A Visit To Mayfield Garden

15 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by gardensandpolkadots in Gardens, Polka Dots

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Cool Climate Garden, garden design, Gardening Blog, Landscapes, Largest Garden, Mayfield Garden, Open Gardens, Serendipity, Serendipity Garden Designs

One of the nicest ways to spend a weekend is to pack a bag, grab your respective other, in my case Dave, head on up to the Blue Mountains and pick up your newly married friends on the way. What ensues is a laughter filled weekend which includes a gorgeous timber cabin, home cooked meals, red wine, market wanderings, a few cheeky purchases and a stroll around an open garden.

Imagine the Most Beautifully Scented Rose You Have Ever Smelt And I Promise You This Rose Would Match It

Imagine the most beautifully scented rose you have ever smelt and I promise you this rose would match it

In this case the open garden is Mayfield Garden, located near Oberon in the Central West Tablelands of New South Wales on the western side of the Blue Mountains. Mayfield Garden is one of the ‘largest privately owned cool climate gardens in the world’. Purchased in 1984 by the Hawkins family, the garden has evolved to represent a grand English garden in the Australian climate. Nestled within a working farm, the extensive garden is made up of garden rooms that are joined by meandering paths and large expanses of lush green lawn. While the garden is very much a work in progress with areas still under construction and plants yet to fill out to their mature potential, there are some wonderful spaces within the garden. For example, you can wander through the Birch trees, explore the Pine trees, smell the divine roses and listen to water cascade over the many water features and water falls.

The Water Garden

The Water Garden

To say this garden is big is an understatement, it’s huge and requires around three hours to see it all. We took 2.5 hours with the only stops reserved for smelling roses and taking pictures and I was happy with that.

The House

The house

It was a joy to wander through the garden, map in hand but still not know what to expect at each destination. Within minutes of entering the garden you realise that this garden is more than just a hobby, it is a passion, filled with bold statements and attention to detail. For example, the aviary is an almighty bird enclosure containing its own mini garden. The chicken coop – well it’s more like five star chicken heaven thank you. Those chickens must be the happiest chickens on the Central West Tablelands – if not, dare I say it, the earth!

A Chicken Coop For The Happiest Chickens On Earth

A chicken coop for the happiest chickens on earth

Chicken Heaven

Chicken heaven

The highlight of Mayfield Garden for me was the grass roofed ‘Studio’. A gorgeous timber cabin up on a hill away from the main house with Birch trees planted on one side and sweeping lawn on the other. We imagined what sorts of arty endeavours might take place in the studio from painting and sculpture to stone masonry and artists retreat, who knows. What we did fancy though was ourselves perched on the veranda with a cold glass of anything we like looking out over the sun kissed countryside.

The Highlight Of The Garden - The Grass Roofed Studio

The highlight of the garden, the grass roofed studio

The Studio - The Roof Is A Field Of Green

The studio, the roof is a field of green

Exquisite Timber Work On The Front Door Of The Studio

Exquisite timber work on the front door of the studio

If you also had the opportunity to visit Mayfield Garden you may have been disappointed with the number of roped off ‘No Entry’ areas within the garden. I understand the need to keep prying eyes away from the family house that is reasonable and expected. But to advertise a garden maze and parterre then have no access I must admit was disappointing. I have mentioned that the garden is a work in progress and the maze planting still has a bit of growth to go before enclosing the occupant within, however the child within fancied a wander through the maze and she wasn’t allowed anywhere near it. The Parterre was also roped off too. Maybe it was because there wasn’t a skerrick of plant to be seen within its borders, who knows. Hopefully by the next open garden the Parterre will be richly planted, the maze will be amazing and visitors can explore both.

The Maze - No Entry

The Maze from the outside

Behind The Pleached Hedge - The Parterre. No Entry!

Behind the pleached hedge is the Parterre.

Aside from these disappointments, I did enjoy my wander around Mayfield Garden. I look forward to revisiting one day and seeing how the garden has matured and whether the grand ideas of Mr Hawkins have come to fruition. But only if I can get lost in childhood excitement within the maze.

The Walled Potager

The Walled Potager

Inside The Walled Potager, Espaliered Edible Fig

Inside the walled potager, espaliered edible fig

Inside The Walled Potager, The Garden Beds

Inside the walled potager, the garden beds

Liriodendron tulipifera - Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera, Tulip Tree

A Landscape Of Green And Maroon

A landscape of green and maroon

Divine Climbing Roses

Divine climbing roses

Tiny Pine Cones

Tiny pine cones

The Crocket Lawn, With Not A Blade Of Grass Out Of Place

The crocket lawn, with not a blade of grass out of place
Water Cascade. Built By The Romans? No, But It's Built To Last

Cascade. Built by the romans? No, but it’s built to last

The View From The Top Of The Water Cascade

The view from the top of the cascade

Beautiful Detail On The Pergola

Beautiful detail on the pergola

The Beginnings Of A Pleached Hedge

The beginnings of a pleached hedge

The Bridge - It's a Very Large Bridge

The bridge, it’s a very large bridge built with Blue Stone

The Red Bridge In The Water Garden

The red bridge in the Water Garden

I hope you enjoyed your tour through Mayfield Garden, perhaps one day you’ll get the chance to visit and see it in all it’s grandeur.

Mayfield Garden, 350 Mayfield Road Oberon, is open in Autumn 2014 on these dates; April 26th & 27th. May 3rd & 4th.

Until next time.

Carmel

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The Garden Designer In Me

18 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by gardensandpolkadots in Gardens

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Garden Blogs, garden design, garden designer, Garden Designer Sydney, Garden Dreams, Gardening, Gardening Blogs, Gardens, landscape design, Process, Seredipity Garden Designs

You know when you’re out somewhere, mingling and meeting new people there’s the, ‘hi, how are you?’, ‘how do you know so and so?’, ‘where do you live?’ and the best one of all ‘what do you do?’ As you can imagine my answer is Garden Designer, because, well, that is what I do. Invariably it is met with responses such as ‘ooh’, ‘wow’, ‘awww that’s great’ and my favourite, ‘you should come around to my place’. People seem to like that there is a profession out there tittled garden designer and so do I. A little bit more chit chat follows, with me contributing that, ‘I have my own garden design business, it’s called Serendipity Garden Designs’, blah blah blah. I can see the person mulling this over in their head and I think what they are imagining is me, strolling through gardens all day long, doing the odd bit of hands in soil action, putting up a few pergolas, laying a lovely meandering path then sitting down with a glass of what ever I want at the end of the day, happy and ready to do it all again the following day. While I wish that the first and last were true, I have to admit this is not at all what I do. Someone recently said to me after the ‘what do you do’ question, that I should be used to getting up early. My response, ‘Ummm no, I’m a garden designer, not a landscape contractor’- silence.

Elevation A - A1

So, if I don’t get up early and by early I mean at your place of business at 6.00am and I don’t have my hands in the soil all day long, what it is that I do at Serendipity Garden Designs? Well, I create beautiful outdoor spaces for you, your family and your visitors to enjoy day after day, week after week, year after year. Gardens that are timeless, invigorating, peaceful and nurturing. Gardens that respect the surrounding landscape and sit quietly within their environment. I am the architect of your outdoor space, the interpreter of your garden dreams and the cog in the wheel that communicates what will be done and how it will be done to the landscape contractor that builds it.

Concept Plan

The process from overgrown urban jungle to creating your own garden oasis goes like this;

  • I spend time with the client and ask lots of questions like, what do you do? what do you enjoy? how do you spend your spare time? I ask about their family, what inspires them, what their dreams are, what they enjoy most about their house and current garden, what they would like to improve and what their dream garden looks like. It’s also the ideal time to talk budget and get a sense of how much time they are prepared to spend maintaining their new garden.
  • Once I get a sense of the garden owners I spend time in the garden observing it’s current state, the views in and out, the topography, aspect – where light and shade fall, soil, drainage, architecture of the home, vegetation that is doing well and not so well and significant trees both in the garden and surrounding it. I let my imagination go.
  • After bidding farewell to my new clients I head on home, armed with information, direction, photographs and a wee spring in my step. This part is the creative, exciting, dreamy part of the process, when I get out my drawing pad and my pencil and I draw lines and shapes, jot down ideas, get inspired and find myself with a drawing suitable to call a garden.
  • I then draw the design in CAD with the help of a site survey or architectural drawings and develope the ideas further. I select the hardscape materials, the plants and ensure through the entire process that the direction I am taking is in keeping with the brief of the clients and the environmental conditions, keeping in mind how the space will feel, how it can be used and its longevity.
  • Once all of the i’s have been dotted and t’s crossed I gather up the concept plan and all the supporting material and present the plan to the client. I walk them through the design step by step, the philosphy, the materials, the plants and give them a sense of what it will be like to be present within their garden once it is complete.
  • If the client requests changes to be made at this stage then I make them.
  • Now, let’s get this thing built! If the drawings require council submission I do that and if not I engage a landscape contractor to built the garden. I watch carefully to ensure the design and the building are one and the same and rejoice with the clients once the garden is in and they are sitting happily within it with refreshing drink in hand.
  • It sounds easy doesn’t it? And usually it is. It is a process where by all parties involved must be on the same page, that the dream ending is the same for everyone.

So, that’s what happens at Serendipity Garden Designs HQ.

Until next time.

Carmel

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Fun At The Garden Show

20 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by gardensandpolkadots in Gardens, Polka Dots

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Australian Garden Show, garden design, Gardening, Gardens, landscape design, Serendipity Garden Designs, Spring Garden Show, Spring Gardens

Well, the Australian Garden Show Sydney has come and gone for this year. If you had the chance to visit I hope you enjoyed it. I really enjoyed my two days wandering around the show, held in Centennial Parklands and what a magical location. Just walking through the park to get to the show filled me with inspiration and it usually does.

One our way to the Australian Garden Show

One our way to the Australian Garden Show

Some of the highlights for me were attending a talk by Patrick Blanc, French vertical garden specialist. He showed a slideshow of pictures he had taken from around the world when researching and discovering the beautiful and endless possibilities of using soil-less plants in vertical plantings. I have a new appreciation for his craft and would like to do my own experimenting in my own garden – time will tell how that pans out!

Patrick Blanc giving his talk on soil-less plants

Patrick Blanc giving his talk on soil-less plants

I went to see ‘The Gourmet Farmer’ also known as, Matthew Evans. It was a wonderful and memorable talk and once again I was inspired, this time to have my plot of land to cultivate from and return to it nutrition, goodness and love. Actually that has been a dream of mine for some time, the talk reinforced my desire to escape the city and return ‘home’ to the country.

The ladies with the Gourmet Farmer

The ladies with the ‘Gourmet Farmer’

I didn’t seem to capture quite as many pictures as I’d hoped (I was too busy chatting, browsing and committing things to memory). But, below is a snap shot of what was happening at the Australian Garden Show.

Spring flowering feature (Westeria)

Spring flower feature (Westeria)

\\\   Height   ///

Height

Texture

Texture

Layers....

Layers….

Wall.. Roof.. Tiles..

Wall.. Roof.. Tiles..

Love the table and chair setting

Love the table and chair setting

Tile detail

Tile detail

Rain chains

Rain chains

Cut and stacked

Cut and stacked

A little dutch inspiration...

A little dutch inspiration…

Gabion walls are one of my favourite landscape features. Gabion wall with bench.

Gabion wall with bench. Gabion walls are one of my favourite landscape features.

Creating movement in the garden

Creating movement in the garden

Hexagon ceiling and floating curtains

Hexagon ceiling and curtains floating in the breeze

A home for your friendly garden critters

A home for your friendly garden critters

Garden lighting

Garden lighting

Bring on the night!

Bring on the night!

Lighting detail

Lighting detail

I hope you have been enjoying the wonderful spring gardens and the glorious weather that has accompanied it.

Until next time.

Carmel

All photographs taken by me.

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Spring! Spring! Spring!

06 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by gardensandpolkadots in Gardens, Interesting, Polka Dots

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Flowers Festivals Sydney, Garden Carnivals, garden design, Garden Festivals, Gardening Blog, Serendipity Garden Designs, Spring Festivals, Spring Flower Festivals, Spring Flowers, Spring Gardens

Spring is here!!

Some would say that it has been here a few weeks already and judging by the blooms bloomin outside my kitchen window, I couldn’t agree more. To say we had a tough winter in Sydney would be an exaggeration worthy of being publicly shamed on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Don’t even suggest it.

Do however, delight in spring time. Oh yes, please do!

Actinotus helianthi - Flannel Flower

Actinotus helianthi – Flannel Flower

It’s a time when the sun is noticeably higher in the sky, the colours in our landscape get brighter, our gardens get fuller and our jackets, heavy scarves and woollen hats get stored away to make way for summer dresses, sun hats and bikinis (if that’s your preference).

Actinotus helianthi - Flannel Flower

Actinotus helianthi – Flannel Flower

If my comment ‘our gardens are getting fuller’ has made your heart skip for all the wrong reasons never fear, I say, delight in other peoples gardens, like I do. Dave and I have our own little botanical wonders occurring in the garden (those of you following SerendipityDGSN on Instagram will be familiar with our planting and flowering successes). But by no means do we have our dream garden, not at the moment anyhow and not in our current digs. So spring is the perfect time for us to to get out amongst it and visit Open Gardens, spring flower festivals and delight in others people’s gardening passion.

Anigozanthos sp. - Kangaroo Paw - Orange

Anigozanthos sp. – Kangaroo Paw – Orange

There is so much happening right around Australia during spring, from shows to festivals. So, here is a very, very (very, very) short list of a some events that might be worthy of slapping on some sunscreen and popping on a sun hat to visit.

Westringia fruticosa - Coastal Rosemary

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary

New South Wales:

Australian Garden Show Sydney – 5th to 8th September 2013 at Centennial Park

It’s happening right now so get your hat on, grab your sunscreen and your camera, purchase your ticket/s (online of course) and get movin’. I’ll see you there!

Daffodils at Rydal – 7th September to 8 September 2013 and 14th to 15th September 2013 with lots of other planty stuff happening on other weekends during September and October.

Swaths of Daffodils can be seen in private gardens and in public open spaces during the Oberon and Villages Spring Garden Festival.

ACT:

Floriade – 14th September to 13th October 2013 Commonwealth Park Canberra

Canberra celebrates all things spring and bulby. And don’t forget to visit NightFest when Floriade comes alive after dark with entertainment, cocktails and a night market or market and cocktails. We all know what happens when we cocktail and shop.

Victoria:

Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival – 5th to 15th September 2013 Kyneton

Kyneton is making quite a name for itself with much desired country living, beautiful architecture, cool climate gardens and a bounty of beautiful shops. During Septmeber pay a visit to the Flower Show (7th and 8th) and the many, many open gardens.

Queensland:

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2013 – 20th to 29th September 2013 Toowoomba

Oh my goodness! There’s so much on, check out the website for more information.

Tasmania:

Spring Community Festival – 5th & 6th October 2013 Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Hobart

The name says it all really, Spring… Community… Festival… and translates to plants, flowers, food, wine, entertainment, family.

Western Australia:

I tell you what, hop on the next west bound Indian Pacific train and report back to me. Just being in Western Australia at this time of year is a showcase, festival, carnival and open garden. It most certainly is on my to do list. There was chatter about it this year but it didn’t get over the line.

Northern Territory:

Maya’s Garden – 7th & 8th September 2013 Malak (Open Gardens Australia) If tropical gardens are your thing Darwin is the perfect place to see them. This South East Asian inspired garden will have you lusting after a tropical oasis of your very own.

Tupils - Lanka

Tupils – Lanka

There’s a few spring garden festivals to get you started. As I mentioned this is a very short list, there are many, many more than this so keep your eyes peeled and feel free to share any that you’d like to promote or any that you attend and think are worthy of a mention. If you’d like to share any pictures feel free to visit Serendipity Garden Designs on Facebook and leave them there.

Epidendrum sp. - Crucifix Orchid

Epidendrum sp. – Crucifix Orchid

I have not been asked to promote these gardens, festivals or shows, I just thought I’d let you know of a few so you can get out there with other like minded people and share your passion and/or growing interest in gardens and all things planty.

Have a wonderful spring weekend.

Until next time.

Carmel

All pictures taken by me in my garden.

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Be Brave, Plant a Garden!

23 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by gardensandpolkadots in Gardens

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garden design, Gardening, Grow Your Own, Seredipity Garden Designs

When I tell people that I am a garden designer they will generally say one of two things, ‘oh, my blah blah* isn’t doing too well, what’s wrong with it?’ or ‘I kill plants’. The former, as you can imagine is difficult to answer. I am after all the professional and as such should know all things horticulture, but this is not always so. It is far easier to identify a problem if said plant is present. But I will say, often, the problem with your blah blah* probably has something to do with a lack of, or too much water.

St Patrick Rose

My magnificent St Patrick Rose.

To the second response I simply say at least you’re giving it a go. People either get too caught up in the detail and the whole process leaves them overwhelmed and unsatisfied or they read a label stating low maintenance and mistake the plant for plastic. Either way it’s the wrong approach.

Native Rock Orchid

Watching this rock orchid produce its flower spike then all of these little flowers has keep me mesmerized for weeks.

Gardening isn’t an exact science, sure there is science to back it up but you have to experiment with it, tweak it to suit the conditions that you have, be patient, persistent and give it a go.

Yellow Paper Daisy

This yellow paper daisy has been providing me with colour all thought winter.

I would much rather hear about someone giving gardening a go and having a few casualties than someone not trying just because they think they can’t grow anything.

Pink Jasmine

This guy doesn’t get as much sun as it would like, but it’s still flowering.

The best gardeners have all had casualties and just quietly some of them probably still do. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was the garden down the road, the one that always looks lush, flowers when it is supposed to and never has a blade of grass out of place.

Lavender

I encourage everyone to try their green, red or black thumb at gardening. I’m not suggesting you start off with a botanical wonder but something small and you guessed it, edible. A pot of herbs is the best thing to start with, just make sure that you have good soil, don’t drown it or ‘drought’ it and choose a herb that you regularly use in your cooking. By picking off the leaves or the ends of the stems you are encouraging the plant to produce lush new growth which is exactly what you want.

Not the most photographic of plants, but I just pick the leaves as I want them.

Not the most photographic of plants, but I just pick the leaves as I want them.

If you aren’t sure about what to plant ask someone that knows. There is a wealth of information out there and people that know plants are always happy to talk about them.

Dwarf Saffron Snap Dragons

There was one flower, then two, then they just kept coming and coming.

I encourage you to try your hand at a little gardening, you might surprise yourself and open up a whole new world of hobbies and interests.

*Insert plant of your choice

Until next time.

Carmel

p.s All of the pictures above were taken by me in my garden.

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Black Cockatoos

05 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by gardensandpolkadots in Polka Dots

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Tags

Australian Birds, Australian Landscape, Calling Australia Home, garden design, Kookaburras, Serendipity Garden Designs, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to float on a breeze like our feathered friends, finding momentum in the air currents and soaring higher and higher across our city and country landscapes? I have.

In flight, effortless, graceful and just a little bit haunting - but I love it.

In flight, effortless, graceful and just a little bit haunting – but I love it.

One of the many joys of the Australian landscape is the abundance of birds and their unmatched bird calls. Their striking calls fill the landscape and give you a sense of place, you know where you are… you’re home.

So magestic.

So magestic.

Many years ago I left my hot Australian, beachside life and moved to Holland (yes, in Winter). After a few weeks when my brain and body caught up with one another and my mind chatter settled I began to notice how quiet it was. There were no cicadas chirping, no gum trees rustling in the breeze, no birds whistling and definitely no Kookaburras claiming their territory with a big hearty laugh.  I realised at that moment how important those sounds were to me, because they were ‘home’.

When I hear the Kookaburra laugh, I know I'm home.

When I hear the Kookaburra laugh, I know I’m home.

Those sounds are a soundtrack to my childhood and now the sound track has changed ever so slightly. I still hear the Kookaburras and they will forever bring a smile to my face, it is my favourite bird call. I can hear the rustle of gum trees, I love the announcement of summer from the cicadas, but the addition to my Sydney-life soundtrack is the piercing call of the yellow tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus).

Spectacular

Spectacular!

At the moment the yellow tailed black cockatoo is making its presence heard in the skies above my neighbourhood. You can hear them coming with their piercing call high above our roof tops. If I am lucky enough to be outdoors when I hear them coming I’ll search the sky for their location and watch, mesmerized by their effortless soaring and sky high manoeuvres. I’ll wonder where they are headed and watch until they disappear behind the trees and buildings. Being indoors doesn’t mean I miss out on the performance, I’ll head to the nearest window and look, if I can’t find them I’ll go to the next window and the next until they soar across the window frame creating a moving picture.

This is a picture of mine from Instagram. I captured only three birds but there were at least fifty more in the sky above.

This is a picture of mine from Instagram. I captured only three birds but there were at least fifty more in the sky above.

After their return from hiatus (wherever it is they fly to) to our Sydney skies either Dave or myself will announce ‘their back’ and we both know what it means. Our landscape will be a little more dramatic as they coat our sky in their ununiformed precession. And they will most certainly make me smile as I hear them approach and wonder again where they are headed.

Until next time

Carmel

// amatteroflight.com //

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Apple Picking in Bilpin

07 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by gardensandpolkadots in Polka Dots

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Apple Cider Making, Apple Picking, Apple Picking in Bilpin, Blue Mountains, Cider Making, Fruit Press, Garden Blog, garden design, polka dots, Serendipity Garden Designs

Recently, my husband Dave and I spent a wonderful polka dot filled weekend in the Blue Mountains (NSW). We browsed through the lovely shops, wandered around the cool climate neighbourhoods in full autumn colour, drank delicious hot chocolate and foraged for mushrooms.

Spectacular autumn colour in the Blue mountains

Spectacular autumn colour in the Blue mountains

You’ll know from reading ‘Foraging for Fungi’ on Gardens and Polka Dots last time that Dave is a ‘doer’ he’s not a ‘gunna’. He gets an idea and the next thing you know, the wheels are in motion and he’s making whatever it is happen. Like I said, ‘it’s exciting to be me… (sometimes, depends on the idea)’.

Last winter Dave made apple cider. He bought a fruit press and all of the ‘other’ paraphernalia and by Christmas we had delicious apple cider (bubbly and alcoholic of course!). And it was pretty tasty for a first go. So considering that we would be in an apple growing region in apple picking season we, yes WE, would go apple picking for Dave’s apple-cider apples.

The fruit press. The fruit goes in the juice comes out, but not quite that simply.

The fruit press. The fruit goes in the juice comes out, but not quite that simply.

We spent the night in a little wooden cabin in Blackheath and woke to the most magical of days , perfect for, you guessed it, apple picking, but also lunch at the Apple Bar in Bilpin and a visit to Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens. It was a sun-filled autumn day and we had lots to do. Breakfast was a super delicious blackberry muffin. Blackberries are a weed in these parts, so to say the berries were fresh is an understatement. We had an unexpected visit to a delightful market and walked away with vegetable seedlings, annuals, honey, bees wax candles, nuts and that warm fuzzy feeling you get after you visit a really good country market.

Feeling all warm and fuzzy will I look at the fresh produce at the country market.

Feeling warm and fuzzy while I look at fresh produce at the country market.

Next was a short drive to the northern side of the Blue Mountains, to the Bells Line of Road. It is a beautiful drive and you can get wide open views of the Gross Valley and picture perfect views of the Australian bush.

For our apple picking we decided to go to Shield’s Orchard http://www.shieldsorchard.com/

We had heard about Shields, so that was the reason for choosing them over all of the other ‘pick your own’ orchards and we weren’t the only ones. It was a busy weekend in the Blue Mountains.

Apples ready for picking

Apples ready for picking

When we arrived we chatted to the owner about our quest for ‘lots’ of cider apples. Unfortunately (to our knowledge) all of the cider apple trees have been removed from the Blue Mountain orchards. They weren’t popular a decade ago and were ripped out, but now, with the increase in popularity of apple cider they are more in demand. However, Granny Smith, Pink Lady and Sundowner apples will do the job.

A Granny Smith apple waiting to be picked

A Granny Smith apple waiting to be picked

We were given our baskets and pointed in the direction of the orchard where we pillaged the ground for any suitable, unbruised, freshly fallen apples. Often when you pick one apple another apple will fall off the tree. Often they are left on the ground by the picker – I guess it isn’t as much fun to pick apples off the ground as it is to pick them off the tree. But they are perfectly fine and they are the ones we got for Dave’s apple cider.

Granny Smith apples for our basket.

Granny Smith apples for our basket.

Of course I picked some apples off the apple tree for fun and eating, yum!

There's one in every group!

There’s one in every group!

All up we collected about 30 kgs of apples to make apple cider. As I write this the apples are fermenting and I can hear the water valve releasing carbon dioxide out of the fermenting bottle, a sign that all is going well with the apple cider making.

It is truly exciting to be me, I have a ‘doer’ in my life and I couldn’t be happier. “Thanks Dave!”

Until next time.

Carmel

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Green Discoveries

26 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by gardensandpolkadots in Gardens

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Australian Native Flowers, Garden Centre, garden design, Gardening, Gardens and Polka Dots, Native Plants, Natives, Nursery, Randwick City Council Community Nursery

One of the things I love about living in this gorgeous harbour-side city is the discoveries I make. Even after eight years I am still discovering little pockets of loveliness, be it ‘McIvers Ladies Baths’ at Coogee, the independent cinema ‘The Ritz’, the croissants from the French patisserie, the artisan markets that pop up every few weeks or the Randwick City Council Community Nursery. Hmmmm, which should I tell you about, they’ll all make you green with envy. Let’s go with the Randwick City Council Community Garden.

Randwick City Council Community Nursery

Randwick City Council Community Nursery

I’m not sure how or when I discovered the Randwick City Council Community Nursery, but I am so pleased that I did.

They have a wide range of both Australian natives and exotic plants to choose from and the staff are knowledgeable and always happy to help.

Flannel Flower

The plants are provided for both private garden use and for use by the council to beautify our Local Government Area – when maintained.

Yellow Kangaroo Paw

The nursery encourages the use of native plants in residential gardens, particularly the provenance species. Provenance species are plants that were found in the local coastal area prior to European settlement. Using local species ‘provides habitat for native bird and insect species, assists in the conservation of our local species and ensures higher plant survival rates as they have evolved to cope with local soil and climatic conditions’ (as detailed on the Randwick City Council Community Nursery website).

Red Kangaroo Paw

I am a big fan of this nursery for many reasons, the staff, the location, the affordable prices, and most importantly, because the plants always look super healthy and strong. And that is exactly what I want when I purchase plants for either my clients or myself. All of the plants have been cared for and nurtured so that they have the best possible start, even before being transplanted into a garden to begin their new life.

Flannel Flower surrounded by KangarooPaw

You don’t have to belong to the Randwick City Council Area to visit or purchase from the nursery, but if you live further afield be sure to get online and search for a community council nursery in your area. You never know, you may just make a green discovery of your own.

Randwick City Council Community Garden is open 9.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday. The next open day will be held on Saturday 1st June 2013. It is one of four open days held throughout the year and is perfect for people wanting to visit but are unable to due to week day commitments.

Until next time

Carmel

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A World of Inspiration

12 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by gardensandpolkadots in Gardens

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Dan Kiley, Fiona Brockhoff, garden design, Garden Designers, Gardens, Inspiration, Inspiring Garden Designers, Landscape Designers, Miller House, Piet Oudolf, plants

There is a world of inspiration out there no matter what your interests or passions are. And now with the internet, inspiration can be found with the entry of a search term into a search engine or by using my favourite time devourer, Pinterest.

As a garden designer there are numerous accomplished garden designers that provide me with endless inspiration, from plants, to materials or even just a colour combination.

I don’t think I am alone when I tell you I love looking through gardening books. So many people do. They are pages and pages of inspiration that you can revisit time and time again. Each time I revisit one of my garden books I find something new that I hadn’t noticed before and that is what keeps me coming back for more.

Today I have selected a few pictures from three of my favourite and inspiring garden designers. I think you will agree that it is a diverse collection, but a collection that can suit any situation large or small.

Dan Kiley. The Miller House, Columbus Indiana USA

Dan Kiley designed a number of gardens but the Miller House one of his most well know and it is my favourite. It is a great example of 20th century modernism. Today the house is a National Historic Landmark owned and maintained by Indianapolis Museum of Art. You can visit the house on open days.

Dan Kiley. The Miller House, Columbus Indiana USA

Dan Kiley Miller House 3 Dan Kiley Miller House 4 Dan Kiley Miller House 5Miller House images from vulgare.net

Fiona Brockhoff. Fiona Brockhoff Design, Victoria AUS

Fiona Brockhoff Design is located in Victoria. She has an extensive body of work and is featured in a number of publications. Here are some of the pictures that I think sum up the gardens created by Fiona Brockhoff Design.

Fiona entertainment area Fiona pool Fiona round pool Fiona wooden pathFiona Brockhoff Design pictures from fionabrockhoffdesign.com

Piet Oudolf. World renowned garden and landscape designer Holland

Piet Oudolf is a master plants man and master meadow creator. Creating gardens that look like they naturally exist within their location. Using beautiful flowing grasses and wildflowers that have a place within the garden even after the flowers have dried and the grass has become straw coloured. Piet Oudolf’s gardens have a life well beyond the living.

Piet Oudolf Private Garden

Piet Oudolf Private Garden

Piet Boon Garden Holland

Piet Boon Garden Holland

Piet Boon Garden Holland

Piet Boon Garden Holland II

Nantucket Island Garden USA

Nantucket Island Garden USA

Barcelona Garden Spain

Barcelona Garden Spain

New York City Balcony USA

New York City Balcony USA

Piet Oudolf images from oudolf.com

Piet Boon Garden Holland image from chicagobotanic.org

What do you think? Are you inspired? I sure hope so.

If you have had the privilege of visiting many of these gardens please leave a comment, I’d love to know what you thought of the garden during your visit.

Until next time.

Carmel

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Macarons and Native Bees

01 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by gardensandpolkadots in Gardens, Polka Dots

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Afternoon Tea, Australian Native Bees, garden design, Hens Night, Macarons, Reed Bee Bundles, Reed Bees, Resin Bees, Serendipity, Serendipity Garden Designs, Solitary Bees

What a great weekend I just had! Day # 1 was a polka dot filled day spent celebrating the upcoming wedding of a friend, with gorgeous company and wonderfully bright coloured macaroons at a Hen’s Tea. Yes, a Hen’s Tea, afternoon tea with gooey, nutty cheeses, sparkling wine, sweets, treats and tea in proper tea cups. Did you know you can hire tea cups and saucers for such an occasion? Some of us are lucky enough to own beautiful tea cups and saucers but if you don’t, there’s someone out there that will share theirs with you.

Brightly coloured Macarons and other goodies

Brightly coloured Macarons and other goodies

Day # 2 was spent at a solitary bee workshop where Dave and I learnt about Australian native solitary bees that live in the Sydney area, where they like to live and how we can provide those spaces for them in our own garden.

It was a great workshop. Dave and I were almost the youngest there, believe me that doesn’t happen much these days. But more surprising was the amount of people present who have a stingless bee hive in their garden. Yay!

We got to have a rear look into the hive of the Stingless bees.

We got to have a rare look into the hive of the Stingless bees.

The workshop was run by Wild Things NSW, with guest speaker Megan Halcroft. In April Megan will receive her award for a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy for her dissertation “Investigations into the Biology, Behaviour and Phylogeny of a Potential Crop Pollinator: the Australian Stingless Bee, Austroplebia australis”. She said she knows all there is to know about Austroplebia australis species but, like the workshop attendees, is learning about solitary bees and how to encourage them into her garden. She has made many bee homes for various species of native bee and has them placed around her garden. The result is an increased number of bees making her garden their home.

That is exactly what we want for our own garden, more visitors and not just the human kind. More bees, butterflies, birds, lizards and frogs. Unfortunately the frogs are unlikely to visit me because I don’t have a body of water in mygarden, I just don’t have the opportunity for that, although… maybe I should work on that.

During the workshop we learnt some interesting facts like:

  • Most Australian native bees are solitary (or semi social) and live in burrows in the ground or in wood
  • All Australian native bees are pollinators
  • The nectar from flowers that the bees visit is a source of carbohydrates for the busy little workers
  • Some bees have little baskets where they pack and store the pollen until they return to the hive
  • Mass planting species is a great way to attact bees to your garden
  • Australian native bees will not be effected by the Mite, should it make its way to Australia
Reed Bee Bundle

Reed Bee Bundle

We were then shown how to make homes for native solitary bees: a Reed bee bundle and a Resin bee drilled wood block.

To make the bundle you will need to collect branches from plants such as Hydrangea, Bamboo, Lantana or grape vine (this is not an exhaustive list). These are suitable because they have a pith centre – a soft centre within the bark that will allow the bees to easily burrow. Cut the branch into even lengths, about 15cm long. Next get some soft wire, something like Bonsai wire, bundle the branch lengths together and secure them togther with the wire. Make sure you have enough wire around the bundle to make it into a hook so that you can hook the bundle onto a tree branch. It’s as easy as that! Megan has more detailed instructions on her website, which can be found here.

The pith in the centre of the branches. Before hanging the bundle in your garden use the end of your secteurs to burrow out a tiny bit of the pith. This will give the bees a little head start.

I could go on to explain how to make the drilled wood block but I’ll be sensible and give you the link to Megan’s ‘how to’ page.

To encourage Resin bees to your garden click here.

Don’t worry if your fabulous, made with love, bee homes don’t attract any bees immediately – it may take a couple of years. You have to remember that the bees probably have a nice little home already and they will move into yours when the time comes to upgrade. Don’t move the hive to find the bees let the bees find it. We all know the saying, ‘if you build it they will come’, it’s the same for the bees, provide for them and they will move in and pollinate.

For more information visit the following websites, they are a wonderful source of information, pictures and publications.

http://www.beesbusiness.com.au/

www.aussiebee.com.au

Until next time, happy bee keeping.

Carmel

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