LOCATION: Candelo (TBA)

ABOUT THE GARDEN

I began gardening in earnest thirty-two years ago, soon after purchasing Riverside. There was little of an existing garden worth salvaging. Once the fence was removed from around the house, the land opened up before me - a clean slate, full of possibility, inviting planning, planting, and patience. The first areas to take shape were the border gardens surrounding the house. Roses, shrubs, and perennials were planted to soften the edges and give the house a sense of belonging within the landscape.

Next came the circular courtyard, planted with twenty Madame Alfred Carrière roses. Over time, they grew into a defining presence, their graceful form lending both structure and romance to the space.

On the northern side of the house, a steep bank was densely overrun with love grass. With the help of a bobcat, the land was reshaped into tiers and walkways. These were planted with small trees, shrubs, and yet more roses, gradually transforming an unruly slope into a layered tapestry garden of depth and colour.

Over the decades, the garden has continued to evolve. Some areas have been renewed after losses from wind or drought, each change leaving its mark and shaping what followed. The garden remains a work in progress — always growing, always changing with the help and dedication of my dear husband Mick