Newsletter 2004 - Garden
Relaxing under the pergola
This year, the designer decided that the garden was finally ready to be entered into a competition organised by the Association of Professional Landscapers. We haven't heard the results yet as they are not due to be announced until February 2005. This meant that a great deal of work had to be done to fill up all the little gaps that I identified last year. I even managed to get a discount at one nursery as I spent so much!
All the planting meant that there wasn't too much time for relaxing - however when friends visit, then you have to stop! It really is wonderful to look at the garden and realise that in three short years I have created the lush green paradise that I wanted. I hardly ever notice the surrounding houses these days, there is so much going on in the garden to keep one's attention.
One of my best finds was the papyrus. We had seen it at Wesley the previous year and fallen in love with it. However, we were told that it is not hardy in this country, so had not tried hard to find it for sale. During one plant hunting trip, we came across a nursery that was hanging on by its finger tips. It had a wonderful array of unusual plants, and the owner told me that they had found that papyrus was hardy when kept in water in this part of the world - we will find it if this is the case in my garden.
Obviously any garden will never be finished, there are still certain times of year and areas of the garden to be worked on, but I really am happy with what has been achieved. Maybe next year, I'll have more time to just sit back and enjoy the garden!