The Australian Garden: Chelsea 2011

The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Show Garden: Chelsea Flower Show 2011

Design developed by Melbourne-based Jim Fogarty.

Australian Garden: Sand Dune Wall © Alice Joyce

Inspired by the celebrated Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbroune, the design illustrated the importance of water traveling from the parched outback region on a journey through rivers and gorges to Australia’s East Coast. An evocative wall element effectively conjures up images of burnt ochre sand dunes.

Australian Callistemon c. ‘White Anzac’ © Alice Joyce

A highlight of the garden’s fascinating plant palette: Callistemon c. ‘White Anzac.’

Chelsea 2011: Australian Garden © Alice Joyce

A sky-blue pond echoes the culturally significant shape of a boomerang, set amidst paths suggesting dry river beds. The pavilion, providing shade, is surrounded by a wealth of plants native to Australia.

Australian Garden plantings & walkway © Alice Joyce

There were many species familiar to a Northern California gardener, if not to most show visitors: Hybrid Kangaroo Paws (Anigozanthos hybrids); Westringia fruticosa – coastal Rosemary; woolybush; ‘Kalibarri Carpet’ Emu Bush; and Grevillea ‘Forinda.’

Sand Dune Wall © Alice Joyce

Other lovely specimens: Eucalyptus ‘Little Boy Blue;’  Prostanthera cuneata – Alpine Mint-bush; and the early-blooming vine draped across the blue wall of my front patio – outside the window of my office, Hardenbergia violacea or purple Coral-pea vine. Two gndangered plants were on display: Rhagodia parabolica and Swainsona greyana – Saltbush and Darling Swainson’s pea.

Sand Dune Wall Sculpture design by Valissa Butterworth.

Australian Garden Pool  © Alice Joyce

The bright blue of the Boomerang River symbolized the sky over the Outback, in contrast to the landscape’s iron-rich red sands.