At first glance this glorious garden near the foot of the Dookie hills is a typical native oasis.
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But spend some time wandering about and each turn reveals an eclectic mix of exotic plants, indigenous species and cacti.
Embracing the gentle undulation of the 1.6 ha space the owners have designed pathways that meander around their backyard, leading visitors to a mix of free-flowing and formal garden beds with architectural features adding form and structure.
Eucalypts, grevillea, banksia, melaleuca, eremophila and correa are among the thousands of plants flourishing here, alongside such exotics as magnolia and the rare and unusual silk floss tree and cork oak.
Owner Andrew Lyle spends most weekends planning, working in and perfecting the space, all without a formal garden plan to refer to.
“Most of my ideas are in my head, I like using natural materials, things like old tree stumps, timber, rocks and steel,” Mr Lyle said.
The skills he uses in his day job as a fitter and turner are put to good use, as Andrew fashions lengths of steel into creative garden edges and features such as an impressive bridge, archways and rustic gates.
“I don’t really have a particular garden style; I just plant things that I like. Having a mix of natives and exotics means there is always something flowering,” Mr Lyle said.
“I’m getting more interested in indigenous understorey plants, for the areas under the native trees where it’s hard to grow anything.”
Mr Lyle and partner Tim Young have owned their slice of rural paradise for about 11 years and in that time have added their own touch.
“The previous owner had all natives and a lot of roses, I wasn’t into the natives, but now I’m addicted to them, and we only have a few roses left. I like roses, but I like them in other people’s gardens,” Mr Lyle said.
The dry conditions have been tough, with some plant casualties, but Mr Lyle said it had also been a learning experience, as his knowledge of what would survive and thrive had grown.
He inherited his love of gardening from his grandfather and tends to mass-plant his favourites for a stunning visual display at different times of the year.
Unusual, hard-to-grow and slow-growing native plants including bottle trees and grass trees have been nurtured, along with an enormous collection of cacti that is a standout feature.
As well as providing its owners with a peaceful retreat the garden is a haven for native birds, with wattle birds, white-plumed honeyeaters, rosellas and bronzewing pigeons also calling the place home.
An old bath has been transformed into a water feature with an ingenious solar panel system powering the gurgling bath tap, and a rusted tractor will be the centrepiece of a yet-to-be designed garden bed.
Mr Lyle and Mr Young have opened their garden for fundraising events and have enjoyed sharing their surroundings with other like-minded and passionate gardeners.
“It was nice to have people coming through and giving nice comments and really appreciating the garden,” Mr Lyle said.
“Most weekends are dedicated to the garden, there’s always something to do, so it’s never boring. I actually find it relaxing and I get a hell of a sense of satisfaction out of it.”