Episode 11 - Garden Design Notes
Episode 11 - Kerrie Fairhall,
Westport
GARDEN DESIGN NOTES by Tony Murrell
Kerrie, years prior to Mucking In turning up, had planted small
Native shrubs and like all plants they developed into large
trees. This may have been her impetus from the start
but I think not, due to the random array of such a
mixture.
When plants take over and are left to do so, it takes more than a
stick to tame the wild. Kerrie had either given
up on trying to tame her garden or she simply didn't know where to
start. My advice would always be to start somewhere, not too
big but enough to keep the area in check, as well as accomplishing
a sense of completion with the task.
The family's pet dog bring's a lot of joy, as most pets do, and
Kerrie said to me that she loves the idea of gardens whereas she's
always felt that having a dog she couldn't have both. Privacy
and having a section that was secure were top priority and a lot of
the existing planting was either not appropriate or past its used
by date.
Kerrie's garden also had a lot of Privet, the kind that creates
irritation to the eyes and can exacerbate Asthma. In
the end very little stayed at the back of her garden which wasn't a
bad thing. Because it had been left for so long the shape and
form of many of the plants due to either over crowding or
inappropriate choice had simply failed her.
We installed a new high treated timber fence to create an actual
barrier between properties and help contain the dog. I always
like to soften fencing with planting and colourful painting.
Kerrie's garden was no exception.
Simple elegant hedging with rugged effective under-planting
completed the look. The dog could hammer away in the
knowledge that this part of the garden would have pet resilliance
and in time develop into a pleasing haven for all the
family.
Kerrie's girls had murmured and wished they could have a spa pool
for their Mum. She lives a very active life along with her
friends and family and because Kerrie is such a home body the
addition of a spa pool would offer a very welcome relaxing break at
the end of her very busy days. We tucked the spa away out of
line of sight, more so a destination in the garden, where friends
and family could escape to and melt in the pool of bubbling hot
water.
I love bamboo and yet most people don't. Kerrie can be added
to this list., she simply let it get away. It was
decided, after a family conference, that we would remove some, if
not all, of the exotic plant. I decided to plug more of the
West Coast wild right into Kerrie's garden - trees and shrubs all
indigenous and local to her environment fitted the bill
nicely.
Fences and gates would guard against dog invasions and allow the
garden to establish. The rear part of Kerrie's garden now
boasted a purpose built basketball/recreation area, containment for
the dog, privacy from the neighbours and the wish list spa - not
bad for a start.
The front of any property should always be inviting, have good easy
access and help to enhance the architecture of the house.
Selective pruning of the trees, removal of some shrubs and invasive
plants made way for repeated planting of new varieties that helped
gently coax you up to the front door. I don't particularly
enjoy walking up driveways to gain access to a house.
This had been the only way for Kerrie and her family to do so. Due
to the size of the property I was able to design and install a very
smart wide pathway that would lead from the street right to the
door. In future friends would park out the front and make
their way to the house noticing the new planting and appreciating
the splendor of her charming stucco Bungalow.
The driveway was redefined as a service lane while the rest of the
garden was transformed into a park like setting. An arbour or
pergola - streetside - along with a new letterbox
became the new indicator for would be visitors and also helped link
the entrance all the way to the door.
The verandah on the front of the house was not often used due to
the fact that passersby could simply look in. The new
planting scheme would very quickly close off that view and help to
break the wind, often prevailing. There was enough room to
site a gorgeous outdoor dining setting from where they could all
sit and enjoy the garden beyond.
In a time where sections are becoming smaller and houses too, some
parts of the country still boast and showcase lovely old homes with
grace and majesty, with grounds to boot for families to grow and
live. Kerrie can now take full advantage of all of the
different areas around her home with newly defined spaces and
thoughtful planting that will help to inspire the gardener in her
and encourage her to nurture the garden like she has never done
before.
She can once again take control of her quarter acre paradise, safe
in the knowledge that the stick may never again be
used.
