Castlemaine holds a festival of gardens every two years and had 22 gardens open this year. Mossbank garden in Castlemaine was one of several highlights of the festival.
The approach to the garden was through a cooling native garden with purple Alyogyne (Native Hibiscus) mixed seamlessly with plantings of grey and green leafed Santolina. Once through the arbour, we entered a warm exotic garden showcasing Roses, Cistus and Poppies. A common theme amongst gardens in this location was the use of drought tolerant plants including those with grey leaves such as Ballota, Artemesia, Marrubium supinum and Stachys byzantine (Lambs’ Ears).
Stretching across the rear veranda, was a beautiful pink rose with a wonderful scent, Rosa ‘Mme Gregoire Stecklan’. And leading to the kitchen garden was a striking weeping single red Rosa ‘Altissimo’.
Beside the vegetable garden we passed a beautiful and perfectly built stone wall. The kitchen garden was a delightful mix of espaliered apples, roses, lavender and perennials with vegetables in raised circular beds and plenty of room to wander between them.
Beddison Garden Designs is based in Canterbury, Melbourne, Victoria. We provide landscape design services across Victoria. Contact us now!