Behind the Stables
The area behind the Stables was difficult to garden. Next-door's huge pine plantation was close by, and there was almost no sun. My first plantings were red Cordylines, Pittosporums to screen out next-door, some Phormiums by the water's edge, and Camellias in the shade along the back wall of the Stables. And of course I tried some roses, out in the open near the water, just in case they liked it...
The Back of the Stables
Then - a large touch of unplanned magic! Down came next-door's trees. Well, initially it wasn't so magical, since they fell down one stormy night in a severe gale. I started cleaning up, but it was weeks later before heavy duty machines dragged the trees off my property. The garden was suddenly much lighter, and I planted more shrubs - Hebes, Corokias, and a Spiraea.
Tree Mess Behind the Stables
Of course lots of my plantings were trashed, including a large species green Phormium. The Camellias along the back wall were very lucky. One huge pine tree crashed onto the Stables roof, but its side branches cleverly missed the precious shrubs. At the time I was really upset, thinking that my garden had been completely wrecked. I cried and cried...
Spring Behind the Stables
Of course the garden healed, and changed. The roses soon moved out - there was just too much shade for their needs. I planted Agapanthus around the big gum tree by the driveway, and innocently let some bamboo loose nearby. Alas, it spread itself around quite a lot, and I have to keep trimming the spiky shoots which appear in the lawn. Oops.
Free-Spirited
I never realised how oppressive that huge pine forest next door had been. The new garden, though rather shady, had a lightness and free-spirited feeling to it, matched perfectly by the mural depicting the mountains, painted on the Stables wall. And the Camellias are still extremely happy. Nice.