A visit to Sunnymead inspirational garden.....

A couple of weekends ago I visited the most exquisite garden imaginable.....Sunnymeade in Euroa, Victoria. It was a brilliant Autumn day and I donned one of my most comfortable and prettiest dresses for the occasion and set off for the three hour trip. It was well worth the effort for the inspiration and peace the outing gave me. The garden was pretty as a picture, as you can see from the many photographs below, and Euroa offered scrumptious coffee and cake at the end of the journey.A former chef, Craig decided to turn his hand to his greatest passion - his garden - and crafted Sunnymeade as his full time job, and pride and joy. It runs now as a bed and breakfast, as well as conducting bi-annual open gardens each year. The garden itself continues to be a work in progress ( as all 'good' gardens should be) as Craig tweaks and refines things here and there, and expands upon the already impressive 4 acres with new ideas and concepts. Sunnymead is well worth a visit for inspiration, but also for an uplifting dose of calm and tranquility....it's formal design and immaculate execution thoroughly deserving of it's innumerable garden awards........As for me, I could have sat on the hedged circular lawn in the sunshine all afternoon with a cup of chai tea in hand and drifted off to fantasy land.....complete and perfect happiness!

  

The gatehouse entrance

Aztec inspired wall

Moroccan inspired garden

Millennium clock

Egyptian inspiration for clematis garden

  And might I add, that Sunnymead is the first time I have seen an espaliered apple walk (such as is found in the movie "Emma" - see photograph below) in the flesh. Ever since I first saw the movie I have wanted to try one of these myself.....imagine the blossom in spring !!! One day, in my dream garden...........

 All stone work and masonry was built by the owner and designer, Craig....hasn't he done an incredible job !?

I loved the hot colours in this bed and contrast of the purple leaves - so dramatic and simply eye catching!

Flower of the season - Summer 10/11

Well, Summer has passed us by the the Southern Hemisphere and if you are like me you are wondering where it went and what happened to the beautiful balmy evenings, and dry days with skies bluer that one can imagine - skies one can look into seemingly forever and ever so rich is it's blueness. Unfortunately where I live, for the first time in my life summer was nothing but uncomfortable humidity, storms and rain rain rain ! Not 'real' summer at all. Unlike roses and some trees who have toughened up after 10 years of drought and then struggled to perform in this years tropical weather, the humble Crepe Myrtle bush has come through the environmental upheaval with a bountiful display of flowers and mesmerising colour this February.

A darling little bush or tree, Crepe Myrtles offer something delightful for every stage of the year. When leafless in winter Crepe Myrtles are quite captivating through the allure of it's trunk structure and attractive bark. This is especially seen when mass planted or in a close compact row. In Springtime as it leaf's up, Crepe Myrtles are a lovely addition to any shrub border. By late summer Crepe Myrtles are profusely blossoming in all manner of shades from red through to pinks and purples. And finally in Autumn, the Crepe Myrtle bush puts on a dramatic leaf colour display in an equally as vast range of Fall tones.

From Wikipedia:

While various species and cultivars are able to fill a wide variety of landscape needs, crape myrtles are chiefly famous for their colorful and long-lasting flowers. Most species of Lagerstroemia (Crepe Myrtle) have sinewy, fluted stems and branches with a mottled appearance that arises from having bark that sheds throughout the year. The leaves are opposite, simple, with entire margins, and vary from 5-20 cm (2-8 in). While all species are woody in nature, they can range in height from over 100 feet to under one foot; most, however are small to medium multiple-trunked trees and shrubs. The leaves of temperate species provide autumn color.

(sorry about the istockphoto, but I just loved this image so much I had to include it watermark and all)

Flowers are born in summer and autumn in panicles of crinkled flowers with a crepe-like texture. Colors vary from deep purple to red to white, with almost every shade in between. Although no blue-flowered varieties exist, it is toward the blue end of the spectrum that the flowers trend, with no sight of orange or yellow except in stamens and pistils. The fruit is a capsule, green and succulent at first, then ripening to dark brown or black dryness. It splits along six or seven lines, producing teeth much like those of the calyx, and releases numerous small winged seeds.

In their respective climates, both sub-tropical and tropical species are common in domestic and commercial landscapes. The timber of some species has been used to manufacture bridges, furniture and railway sleepers. 

If you are seeking a shrub with great landscaping potential and a harking back to the 1940's and 50's (it was used frequently back then) well you simply cant go past a Crepe Myrtle - it's a little darling!

About Eden Garden Design

Eden Design is a garden design and advice service specialising in gardens where plants are the main focus and attraction. As Eden Design’s principal designer, I have a passion for period and historical gardens, but appreciate the attraction of the 'low maintenance and drought tolerant' theme of most contemporary gardens also. I have much experience with poolscaping, as well as contemporary gardens with hardscaping elements, public space and children’s educational facility landscaping.

My designs are completed by hand in watercolour - I believe garden designs can be as much a work of art as the gardens themselves!

Personally, inspiration is drawn from my extensive travels to America, Canada, Africa and England, as well as the creations from our fantastic Australian garden designers - from Edna Walling to Paul Bangay. However, many of my favourite Australian gardens are found in the country towns and suburbs of everyday people who simply love gardening.... I love to walk around neighbourhoods enjoying the creativity I find in little nooks and crannies everywhere !

I am completing a Masters Degree in Urban Planning and Design and carry a TAFE certificate in Garden Design, with 11 years experience in the Planning and Design fields.

Through Eden Design, I believe that a garden need not be high maintenance or water guzzling in order to be beautiful, lush looking or stunning. It is a pleasure for Eden Design to assist people creating the garden of their dreams.

Eden Design is working towards a picturesque tomorrow for all people, for our future, for our children.

Kesenya Baker

Owner/Manager

Echuca Central Kinda/Preschool Garden

When Echuca Central Kinda approached me to design them a garden I was excited beyond words. Gardens are wonderful adventure places for children, and having three little ones of my own, I know the value and magic of a good garden for children.Dought tollerance, low maintenance, hardy and low alergenic plants were requirements high on the agend for the kinda. Below are the results of my efforts, and I am so delighted that my babies have had the chance to enjoy this garden themselves !!

The Garden at 35 Darling Street

Further to my post about the renovation of a 1959 garden, here are some more photographs of the progress of the garden 3 years after establishment. Keeping in mind that the budget for this garden was very minimal, we managed to create a garden of beauty, and play haven for chidldren, a retreat for parents, all via cuttings and plant divisions and re-use of available materials. Apart from tree's purchased at a local supplier, all plants in these photographs were either grown from cuttings or divided from existing plants in the garden. Remember when hiring Eden Design we dont expect a blank canvas and oodles of money to be put towards a garden, all we require is your dream for a beautiful, workable garden !