govt house rotation - wk 8

Today is my last day at govt house which is very sad so I'm going to make the most of it. First job of the day is to collect some crab apples from a beautiful old tree at the front of the house.

This sign beneath the tree says it was planted in 1962 - so it's 49 yrs old! Wow - it definitely needs a big party next year. The fruit is abundant on the tree right now as well as beneath the branches on the ground, so we collect 3 large boxes to deliver to the kitchen for making crab apple jam.

Next up Steve runs all the garden staff through the correct procedure in the case of a chemical or fuel spill. A new Spill kit has recently been acquired and we go through the contents to see the purpose and use for each item. Very necessary to know.

Finding out about the new spill kit.

After lunch Tara and I head over to assist Mick with some ideas for the rejuvenation of the "red" border that runs along the left hand side of the driveway. In previous years the border has become home to a lot of other colours and it is now an eclectic and slightly broad mix of flowers and foliage in reds, yellows, oranges, white, silver and every shade of green. Mick really wants to restore the original theme of a "red" striking border and implement a new design with new plants. This kind of thing is right up my alley as I love the idea of one day becoming a landscape designer and always relish the chance to get my creative juices flowing!

The red border in it's winter sparseness. 

There are a lot of considerations to take into account for this new design. Such as:

• It should be in keeping with this historic garden and style of plantings (ie: not to modern or outrageous).
• Be visually impressive from the driveway rather than up close, as this is the distance it will be mostly viewed from (strong structure and larger drifts of plantings for visual impact).
• Consideration how it will look on open day in November (ie: not bare with all tiny plants.)
• The choice and cost of new plants to be kept within a modest budget.

The border is backed by a large hedge that separates it from the rose garden behind.

First up we measure the bed and it is 46m long. That is quite large! Both ends have a huge overhanging large tree that provides shade so this must also be taken into consideration. The soil looks reasonably good and the existing plants seem to be doing well so major alteration and attention to the soil is not necessary. Just the usual top dressing with compost.

Looking at the red border from the other direction.

We start off by making a list of the existing plants in the border which is a good lesson for me in Plant ID and somewhat tricky at this time of year with a lot of foliage cut down to the ground. Between the 3 of us we have a good idea of everything and the plants we want to keep include Cotinus and two mature Berberis. We decide on a bright red, burgundy and lime green colour scheme.

One thing that stands out to me in the bed at the moment is a dark burgundy clipped ball of Pittosperum. This gives me the idea to suggest repeating this 'balled' theme with collections of clipped balls in contrasting red, burgundy and lime green colours and shapes. They can then also be accentuated by some taller elements of 'lollipopped' red flowering camellias and some dark red cordylines that Mick mentions he would also like to include. Mick really likes this 'balled' idea, as he loves to clip plants into nice creative shapes and he is the one who will have to look after the border when it is complete. These collections of balls repeated in 3 groups of 3, 5 and 7 will look striking and noticeable to guests as they cruise along the driveway.

This is the best image I can find to demonstrate the idea - try to imagine
different coloured balls in a rounder grouping.

Other plants we decide will work well at the back of the border are Cotinus coggygria with it's amazing red autumn foliage and a large red Rhododendron variety with it's huge ball like flowers to add to the theme.

Rhododendron repens 'Scarlet Wonder'

I suggest breaking up the long length of the border with some small feature trees like the Prunus serrula 'Tibetica'. Here is what my book at home says on this beautiful small tree: 

Prunus serrula 'Tibetica' is appropriately named the ‘Birch Barked Cherry’ for its polished mahogany coloured bark, which peels away in bands with age. The brilliance and shine of the bark is attractive throughout the year, especially during winter. Small, white flowers are virtually concealed by willow-like leaves in spring, followed by small cherry-like fruits. Tolerates most soil types, is fully hardy and grows to approx 5m high and 4m wide.

Prunus serrula 'Tibetica'

When I show Mick and Tara a picture of the beautiful shiny red bark they both agree it will look amazing. 3 trees in total - a group of 2 at the bigger end and 1 near the smaller end. Mick will then under plant these with burgundy and lime green Hellebores orientalis to keep the trunks clearly on show.

Helleborus orientalis 'Wayne Roderick' 

Also on our wish list are - large drifts of bright red Dahlias and large burgundy globe Alliums (again the ball theme).

Allium atropurpureum

Burgundy Penstemons (these have more attractive foliage than the red ones I think), reddish NZ flax and small low spreading dissectum maples at the front of the border in brilliant reds and burgundy's for autumn attention.

Acer dissectum 'Rubrum'

Acer dissectum 'Garnet'

To add the lime green colour big clumps of Euphorbia characais for it's large bright green rounded dome like flowers on tall stems. It likes a slightly acid soil similar to our camellias, rhodos and acers and is very hardy so will suit the theme nicely. Gaps will be then be filled in with Lobelias, Salvias and annuals that Tara will propagate from seed as well as blood red tulips for a spring colour show. It's going to look amazing we all agree.

Euphorbia characais subsp. wulfenii

After Tara and I run these ideas past Steve he is enthused and requires a plant list. Preferably broken into groups of what need to be purchased first, second and third. We head back to Bay cottage and Tara makes up a plant list while I do a drawing of the bed that shows the placement of each plant grouping.

My sketch of the new 'red' border design.

The first things to buy will obviously be the trees and larger plants. Hopefully they can source the Prunus serrula somewhere locally as it may be a bit late to order them bare-rooted unless we can tack onto a late order. Tara surmises a lot of the other things on the list can easily be propagated or divided from somewhere in the garden so not much will have to bought new. She and I scout around the pottager and find some burgundy flax and 3 small balls of burgundy pittosperum that easily be transplanted. Steve suggests transplanting some large Cordyline from another border that would save on buying those as well.

Our plant list.

So all in all it's been a fantastic day of fun designing and learning. I can't wait to visit again in a few years and see the red border in all it's new glory! I'm really sad to be leaving this rotation now as I've enjoyed every minute of working alongside the lovely people here.  Huge thanks to Steve and everyone for being so welcoming and letting me tag along each week, soaking it all up. Cheers :)