The garden I grew up in shaped who I am today, no question. The camellias that line the back fence conceal - just - the bushland behind, a wilderness the neighbourhood kids owned in a way that, I am sure, kids today do not. The keenest of childhood memories revolve for me around exploring it for hours at a time and those camellias, they were the signal that we were almost home, a back fence as familiar to us as a front fence is for other families. To this day the camellias remain as beautiful as they always were, with the added bonus of 30 odd years of lush, abundant growth.
Dad's garden is the best in the street. Again, no question. Always has been, always will. An enormous magnolia - as old as me - presides over the front garden, providing deep shade from the summer sunshine that fills the front of the house, gives some privacy, cools the hydrangeas that grow right up against the bricks. Even though mum works the garden too, it is dad who is forever being called inside to the phone from it, he who oils the tools, digs the holes, lifts the bulbs, starts the seeds.
There's a lot crammed into their quarter-acre block, but nothing there is planted without care, love or skill. It makes me unhappy when I hear people talking about ornamental gardens as though they are some sort of whimsical folly; as though growing food is the only thing one should, morally, do.
Flowers matter. No flowers. No bees. No heirloom veg for you and me. So yes, grow some veg, but don't forget to make your garden a place you (and others) want to be.
While mum and dad were here in April it was a given that we'd go out looking at the nurseries and gardens that are close to us in the Macedon Ranges. It's a part of what we as a family do. I made a shortlist and off we drove, the Garden of St Erth our first port call.
On our return we stopped at Frogmore Gardens, on a bend in the road between Trentham and Blackwood. Stunning hardly begins to describe the place, but you must ask to see the enormous gardens - there's no automatic entry, so smile and be nice. When some of the most impressive vistas you're likely to see in such a quiet, calm space - oh, the colours! - open up, you'll be glad you did.
Breathtaking. No question about that. Will have to go back with more than just 3 frames left in the blad...in fact, I can hardly wait for spring.
Beautiful photos, as always :)
Posted by: another outspoken female | June 20, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Gosh, after reading that I'm off on a reverie about my childhood garden. My mum is an avid ornamental gardener as well and our place backed onto a huge bush block with 2 donkeys on it. I remember long afternoons out there roaming around exploring until it got dark and the welcoming light of our house called me home.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment on my post too - having just recently moved house after 4 years, I can see the benefit of regular moves when it comes to simplifying!
Posted by: Georgia | June 20, 2012 at 03:26 PM
after spending several years working as a gardener, tending large perennial gardens for private clients, i feel inspired to see your post today, and i realize just now, that it is all my work with ornamentals that makes me the sort of vegetable gardener i am today. i plant my vegetable garden like a perennial garden, and tend and care for it in similar ways. i am delighted to see drifts of differing leaf textures and colors, and i plant flowers in among the vegetables, for cutting mainly, but also for the bees, for the visual liveliness of the whole garden, flowers just for scent, and flowers just for beauty...
your photographs are overwhelmingly lush and beautiful, my friend. they are truly informed by your deep love of gardens and plants. it is wonderful to see how you have evolved into the photographer you are today. my head at your feet...ૐ
Posted by: alison | June 22, 2012 at 11:04 PM
Lost for words. This space is as familiar as ever. x
Posted by: Jessica | June 25, 2012 at 05:01 AM
Dreamy. That picture of the blue salvia with the fuschias makes my heart break a little.
Your camellias are parallel to the madrones that were on the back of our property at the house where we lived when I was between 5 and 10 years old. They were the edge, familiar backwards and forwards. Great memory.
Posted by: Christina | June 27, 2012 at 06:09 AM
No question. Your images and words always nourish and comfort me.
I'm just back from the garden. Where I watched bees visit the poppies in the pollinator bed and a dragonfly rest on the bamboo stake next to the sweet peas. Yes, flower matter.
Beautiful post, Lucy.
Posted by: Elaine | July 09, 2012 at 03:04 PM
Beautiful garden and lovely photographs. Thank you for sharing :)
Posted by: Natalie | July 11, 2012 at 07:55 AM