I have been incredibly lucky to move into a National Trust House in the Macedon Ranges which brings with it the responsibility of renovating a lovely, large and historical, yet very neglected garden. My question is how far do I go in trying to remain sympathetic to a 1850s Colonial House with established exotics that are gradually and sadly nearing the end of their lives, yet be clever with water and accommodate so many rabbits who are obsessed with any cuttings I plant!
Can there be a sensible mix between the old and new, indigenous to the area and exotics and all without looking contrived and 'try-hard' ? Any thoughts or principles gratefully received.
How sympathetic do old gardens need to be to their origins ?
Discussion
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Are you a member of the Australian Garden History Society? I would start by contacting the Victorian branch for advice.
I think over the last 50 years or so many plants have been repeatedly hybridised where the good old fashioned varieties are still worthwhile- particularly many plants have been miniaturised to suit smaller gardens, and are also less vigorous. If you have a big space then the older rambling varieties might be both more hardy and picturesque in that Gertrude Jekyll kind of uncontrived way. I think attention to paving and seating materials needs to either be historically in keeping or else really “out there” in an arty way to make a statement. Harmony is paramount. Keep it all harmonious.
Mes, this is a great question! I’ve been busy working on a state heritage property since 2016 here in Toowoomba. The garden fell into the heritage listing and I was inclined to gather as much information as I could about the garden before I really went after it… I will stop here and spare you the happenings over the last 4+ years and direct you to this link that expertly covers your situation (in my opinion). From minute 4-10, Dan Pearson discusses his philosophy behind his “refreshing” of Lutyens/Jekyll Folly Farm … I think his comments are the most succinct I’ve come across in addressing the dilemma you are faced with. Subtly , He arrives at a radical new vision for the garden yet manages to restore much of the Lutyens influence in the process… if you are a deep thinker on this subject, the answer to your questions probably lies in Pearson’s thoughts. Good luck!
https://youtu.be/y2w0HILcvLw
I’m really looking forward to watching the DP video suggested by Chase above! But for me, there’s got to be a distinction made between an old garden and a significant or great garden. I’ve occasionally found myself working for clients that can’t let go of a restoration mentality, even though its frequently clear that the ideas and concepts they’re wedded to were never really good ones from the start. It’s not worth restoring or reinstating a bad idea (unless there’s a true heritage value ie it may be the only remaining example of a once widely embraced (though questionable) concept)
As for a blending of the old with the new ie old exotic thinking vs new thinking about the value of indigenous plants, I think that’s an incredibly difficult line to walk. I love what William Martin once did with his Mortlake garden ‘Wigandia’, and, what Kurt Wilkinson is doing at his place in SA – taking the real ‘old garden’ survivors, and re-thinking them on a large, simplified scale. I don’t know that WM used natives, as such, but the aesthetics he explored (big interlocking sweeps of super-tough plants grown more for their foliage and form contribution than seasonal flowering) are yet to be really embraced. There may be a key there. Furthermore, what he brought to our attention is that most old gardens (he was in the Western District, to which this discovery probably most pertinently applies) didn’t have irrigation, as we have it now, and often had to use super-tough plants (exotics, and perhaps natives also) as their staples).
Thanks for the above information. The link was great thanks Chase. In line with your comments Michael we have removed a very old 120m Cypress hedge as is was magnificent but too close to the house, too overgrown and boxed everything in. I actually have also obtained an interesting booklet from 1987 ‘Understanding and Maintaining Your Historic Garden’ which is food for thought. Happy to make available if anyone interested. Now I just have to defeat the rabbits! Thanks again.