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!

GARDEN REVISIT - Cashmere Oaks

 It is such a treat to return to a garden I have designed, to see how my clients have either interpreted my plans for themselves - or followed them to the letter. 

This gorgeous urban garden went from being a blank canvas, to filling out with strong structure and form by the following year. Gardens, as we know, get better and better with age. These photos were taken 1 and 2 years after they were planted. 

My client wanted roses, hedges, year-round interest, colour and to screen surrounding rooflines, and she has done a superb job of developing (and maintaining) the gardens. It looks stunning today. 

                                 BEFORE PHOTOS 

BEFORE: View from the street

BEFORE: Vegetable garden

BEFORE: Rear garden

                                1 & 2 YEARS LATER

AFTER: View from the street

Front door gardens

REAR GARDEN, above and below - Camellias, Cherry Trees, Hydrangeas and box hedging provide
year round structure and seasonal interest. Autumn.

BELOW: A few years later - summer sees the Hydrangeas in full glory. And the neighbouring houses have disappeared. Depth of the garden allows a rear hedge, trees and shrubs, then hedge in front.
Photos courtesy of DB. Thank you! 

VEGETABLE GARDEN - The vegetable garden now has concrete paving
and a seating area (not shown), with a picking garden against the house.