This garden needs work - serious work! It is suffering from the ravages of heat, no water, grazing kangaroos and our long absences.
Now that we are retired however, this is all about to change! We have a renovation of the beach house planned for mid year, after which we will spend more time here at Coffin Bay - putting some much needed work into the garden.
Tough Plants
The plants that have survived in this garden with minimal care are tough! Among them are several oleanders. These shrubs are much maligned as all parts of them are poisonous, however they bloom profusely - the flowers exuding a lovely perfume on warm summer nights.
I has always thought that fushias were delicate plants. This large and leggy fushia however is amazingly tough. It grows in competition with a healthy oleander and has received watering only when it has rained.
Several years ago I transplanted some agapanthus from my home garden to this garden. They look like this after 45C days, weeks of heatwaves and no watering. I think I must over water at home!
Under the glory vine covered pergola out the back is this tall scraggly red geranium. It sits in an old pot. What is remarkable about this plant is that it survives in shade, with no watering and was in that pot in that position when we purchased the property 25 years ago! Now that is tough!!! It's destined to be a family heirloom I think!
Violets are another plant that I had thought delicate! Not this patch! There was even a lonely flower peeping up to greet me!
We share our garden with the local kangaroos and emus - and there are lots of them. This friendly group are sitting just metres away over the back fence. In summer they graze the lawn to the roots, leaving bare soil and the noxious Lincoln Weed. I guess it saves on paying for mowing - but I want that lawn back! Might need to rethink the fence!
Many years ago we cut down a very large pine tree to support local efforts to rid the district of pines which were naturalising and taking over the local bushland and conservation park. This stump remains. You can just see the intials of my niece 'KMc' made of nails hammered into the stump when she was about 10!
Great memories, Kelly!
Over the front fence our neighbours have several stunning hibiscus bushes. They add a touch of colour to the view!
Autumn must be coming! The leaves on the glory vine are changing colour, as are those on the necarine tree.
These are the amazing views from the deck. When we plan the front garden not spoiling the view will be a priority!
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Thanks for dropping by! Should you have any suggestions, ideas or advice regarding seaside gardening I'd love to hear from you!
I'm going to love watching this garden grow! Cheers!
Marian
