Saturday, April 10 - NSW
Following last year's successful outdoor adventure, AILDM has taken the opportunity to again get out into the garden. AILDM members and friends are invited to gardens in Balgowlah Heights and Forestville. Visit 1 garden or both.
NATURALLY NATIVE
A successful landscape design should do more than beautify an outdoor space – it should also complement the building, adding value to the property, and provide extra living space or habitat for wildlife. If it also follows sustainable principles, you've got a winning combination.
One garden that covers all bases is this selected garden in Balgowlah Heights. In the front, densely planted gardens are filled with strappy plants, such as Lomandra and Anigozanthus, which make an excellent habitat for tiny native finches to hide in. The recently built house is striking, and it is positioned so that, along each side, gardens are wide enough to fill with large native shrubs, such as Grevilleas, Lilly Pillies, palms and even small Eucalyptus sp., to create a bird corridor. The dimensions of the gardens were designed first, and then what ever was left over became the space for the house. Don't we all dream of clients like this!A series of horse troughs, positioned end on end, have become a rill of water through the garden, providing a home for frogs and tadpoles. Many energy-saving features were incorporated into the house as it was built, including water tanks beneath the deck, the most hi-tech greywater system you'll ever see, and solar water heating. The owner monitors energy usage on a daily basis and can adjust their lifestyle accordingly. They are incredibly passionate about sustainability and green living, and happy to share this knowledge. Don't miss out on seeing this fantastic house and garden – it's truly inspirational.
IS IT ABOUT THE PLANTS OR THE FOOD?
After this inspiring garden, carry on to Margery’s house and garden to enjoy a get together with AILDM members and friends. Whilst drinking the choicest champagne (red wine for more discerning drinkers) and dining on sumptuous sausages wander round this young garden to look at and admire the profusion of plants harmoniously (some say cluttered!) living together in this small suburban garden.
At the end of a cul-de-sac the front garden is small but the grass in half of the garden has been removed and a profusion of perennials and grasses are growing well under a large Lophostemon confertus.
At the back both the house and garden open up across the block. From the large covered patio the garden has been designed so that there are views right across the back of the house and along the garden where a wide range of plants are displayed. There are plants in bloom throughout the year and the plants range from tropical to colder climate perennials, grasses and natives. At the centre and to the side of this garden is a very large Bauhinia blakeana which will be coming into flower at the time of this visit.
$10.00 - Balgowlah Garden 2.30pm
$20.00 - Forestville Garden and Get together 4.30pm
$30.00 - TOTAL - Both Gardens
PLEASE NOTE THAT NUMBERS ARE STRICLY LIMITED.
The event is limited to AILDM members and supporters and their friends (two-legged only).
Registration is essential.