A Hidden Gem

24 September 2015

The original owners of this property gained their inspiration for the home from their time living in Portugal.  Mature trees including loads of Olive trees enabled this relatively new garden a mature look.

Four large blossoming trees greeted us first at the top of the long driveway, which were buzzing with the sound of busy bees.  Below, masses of green, white and purple hellebores bloomed.  New self seeded hellebores were spreading and popping up everywhere indicating that this really was the perfect environment for these happy hellebores.

Four apricot trees, with a large lillypilly hedge behind,  filled a curved garden bed that flanked one side of the property. Under the trees, the garden was filling quickly with the new spring growth of pink and white self seeded sage, larkspur, poppies, and hostas. 
Three beautiful old lemon trees laden with heavy fruit and native Renga Rengas below lead us through to "Mr McGregors garden"........

A huge lime tree carpeted with Orange Berry was the beginning of this abundant edible garden.  Seven cleverly crafted potager gardens filled the next corner.  Fresh herbs, bok choy, potatoes, lettuces, asparagus, broccoli and spinach filled the gardens.   Wooden framed chicken wire covers were built over each separate garden and were designed to slide on and off to enable these edibles the best chance of survival from local birds and insects and an even better chance of making it to the kitchen table.  Gravel pathways between the gardens don't allow for an easy meal for slippery slugs and snails.  Passionfruit vines climb up and around the large water tanks which irrigate these gardens. 

A large walk in "Berry berry nice" framed chicken wire house provides protection for a luxurious crop of berries.  Boysenberries, raspberries, blueberries, Chilean guavas and logan berries climbed the simple frames inside the house.  And of course no kiwi garden is really sufficient without a feijoa tree or two.  So this garden had a couple of these too. 

A large Grisilinea hedge framed the far end of "Mr McGregors garden" and a neat gravel path, bordered with a Corokia hedge lead us through to the pond. The pond was sheltered by a large well clipped hedge curving round one side and a block wall with viewing holes and beautifully crafted ironwork in the holes on the other.  Roses were planted neatly along the front of the wall.  Although the pond was a relatively new addition to this garden, it was already home to over 50 goldfish.  Purple irises grew alongside the pond and Mondo and water Lillys were starting to establish themselves in the pond. 

Towards the front corner of the home, lots of established Olive trees grew and were very fitting for its Portugese style.   Hellebores again were abundant under the olive trees.  Down a little path to the secret garden....  At the end of the path a well placed mirror led the imagination further.....  That is until the resident pheasant started having daily battles with himself.  The mirror looks slightly less the part now but is still fitting.  

Back up the path again, cobbles lead the way to a beautiful aqua blue pool.  Michelia Figo hedging surrounds the whole pool and a Weeping Pear sits gracefully beside it.  A sheltered courtyard with the most wonderful grand entertaining area nestles itself beautifully in next to the front of the home.  An outdoor fireplace with ivy trailing over enables long evenings along with shelter overhead and the half walls which surround a grand concrete table. Scented plants clambering over a wooden frame near the sitting area would smell wonderful in the evenings.  This really was a wonderful garden and an entertainers dream!!
Renee