MY OWN GARDENS

These days I am leaning toward a more natural and loose garden style, definitely influenced by the New Perennialist Movement from the Northern Hemisphere, and my undulating site.  The style suits the site we have been on for 2 years, compared to the more conventional formal gardens and hedges at our old house. Add to that the fact I cannot access the vast majority of the garden with any form of water other than that provided by Mother Nature! So tough, beautiful, drought and wind proof are the main prerequisites! Plus STRUCTURE STRUCTURE STRUCTURE!! Doesn't matter if it is hedges or evergreen shrubs, the garden has to look great 12 months of the year - and preferably with seasonal variation. 

Here are a few snippets from my nearly 2 year old garden nearest our wee house (hut). Main structure is Muehlenbeckia astonii balls, Astelia, Miscanthus, Calamagrostis, Stachys, Phlomis, and Libertia grandiflora. Then seasonal variation from Scabiosa, Strawflowers, Achillea, Bearded Iris, Artemisia, Dahlia, burgundy Cornflower, Poppies, Sanguisorba, Anemone, Knipofia and of course - Alchemilla mollis (Ladies mantle). We have a 'no mow' lawn of Leptinella and Pratia alba, which is gradually winding its way into the main garden. Not sure if I will leave it or not. This will eventually be an accommodation hut, so not looking for too much maintenance. 

WILDFLOWER UPDATE - MID SUMMER

 The predominant colour out here changes as the season progresses. The earlies were all blue - Echium, Borage, Cornflower and Phacelia. Then the purples and red of various poppies. Now the yellows are having their moment. Actually, it will be more than a moment - as these guys will see me through until the first frosts. Yay! That is Coreopsis and  Rudbeckia, with a background softness of Queen Anne's Lace and pops of Verbena bonariense. Then there are a few randoms in there, including self seeded Achillea (yarrow), chives, Nigella, Salvia patens etc. This is one area of the garden I am not terribly fussy about colour coordination!! 

Where the poppies grew en masse, it left a big hole when I removed the dead plants (in about December), so I have planted a patch with various things I had on hand - Amaranthus, sunflowers, and this great blue lupin. 

I save seed off everything! Then use it to resow patches each autumn and spring. I never want it to be bare, but patches are ok. 

I am happy to answer any questions. It has been a huge experiment, and I am still learning. 

Oh - and by the way - ALWAYS have a path (mown or mulch, or pebble) through the flowers. Such a neat feeling walking in amongst the flowers. I have seats in mine! 

WILD FLOWER EXPERIMENT

Wild flower gardens are gifts that keep on giving! The anticipation of waiting for seeds to emerge, then those first to flower, and the daily changes as new flowers start and others fade. I can't WAIT to visit this area each day, which is lucky, as my new office sits amongst it. Can be quite distracting on my daily commute !!

Really, a wild flower 'patch' can be added to any sized garden - large paddock with paths mown through it, or a plot in the vege garden. Great at attracting bees to the garden. 

I have found it is much nicer to walk through and sit in AMONGST the plants, rather than just looking from the edges, so have added a rough path and a couple of chairs for summer. They are slowly disappearing amongst the foliage!

Here's a few snaps of what is happening through October, with the early flowerers.

MORNING LIGHT AFTER OVERNIGHT RAIN

 This light finds me racing outside in the early morning to capture the sunlight, the raindrop reflections, and general atmosphere of freshness and vibrancy. Here are some photos of my garden this month. Some plants have the added value of holding onto the raindrops for longer, which gives them extra points in my book!!  Muehlenbeckia astonii, Alchemilla mollis, and even the red tussock - Chionochloa rubra. 

Instagram

 If you are interested, I have (finally) started an Instagram profile, which I am posting on regularly. Short and snappy, and an outlet for my daily photos and inspiration!! Love to see you there :-)

Here's my handle: 

www.instagram.com > rachelcallaghanlandscapearch

You may need to type that in as I can't find a way to add link, sorry!! 

I will continue with this blog, as that has it's own value for showcasing various elements of my work. 

Pop on over to Instagram, and let me know you are there by leaving a comment!! Would love some interaction!! 

In the meantime - here's to a happy, warm and extended AUTUMN 2024 xo

GARDEN REVISIT - Nithsdale

Another treat this week was to return to Nithsdale, nearly a decade after my first visit.  I only drew up a preliminary outline plan for the house gardens originally. I later developed a design for a pond down the end of the paddock, to be fed by a water race.  (We did this in consultation with the MDC water engineer, by the way!).  The water race makes the water so fresh and clean, as it enters and exits constantly, using a series of weirs. 

Today the pond is just GORGEOUS!!  I was thrilled to see what Iain has done with the planting, including a mass of water lilies and water irises. Plus a jetty! The long trek along a mown path through the long grass, from the house, is a key part of the experience. What a great destination for a picnic or to read a book in the hammock slung over the water race! 

Who wouldn't want to sit on that jetty, feet dangling into the water on a hot day? 

Iain has added some unusual NZ native trees. Prostrate Kowhai
here, with orange Californian poppies poking through. 

I love it that Iain has let there be long grass - not trying
for perfection in this very natural space.  

The house can be seen in the distance, over the field of long grass (soon to ne harvested)

Back to the house gardens, and this is really quite a plantsmans garden. Full of interesting and unusual species, as well as loads of fruit trees. Lots of South African plants - proteas, leucadendron and so many bulbs, as a nod to their time living there. Also uncommon trees - Aspen, and even a Cork Oak! 

Cork Oak - Quercus suber

What a pleasure to see someone actually creating cut circles around the base of their trees!
THIS is what I mean when I write this on plans, people!! Keeps the base clear of competing
weeds, easy to mow around, a great place to keep mulch in place, and looks super smart. 

And finishing with an Echium. I have never seen this one before - or lots 
of the plants in the garden actually! 

How great to have been invited back. A real buzz to see how my original plans have
been interpreted and expanded upon in line with the clients own character and style.
I came back to my own garden with a greater focus on what I could be doing to make
it unique. This garden thoroughly deserved to be  included in this years Pukaha Garden
Tour. A real credit to many years dedication!