Garden History
From Orchard to
Australian Wildflower Garden
Katandra Gardens is a landscaped Native Garden with the first plantings
commencing in 1989. The garden design and all work in the garden has
been carried out by the owners, Bob & Dot O'Neill.
In 1975 the 8 acre property was purchased as a small cherry and plum
orchard. Immediately 1 acre was cleared for the building of a house
and plenty of room for a house garden. The enthusiasm for gardening
was such that the large rockery in the house yard was started before
the house was finished. A substantial mixed garden was created, including
some boundary planting of native plants, however the property was
farmed by Bob & Dot as an orchard until 1989.
The rich acidic soil, had been farmed for the past 100 years with
cattle, berries and orchard. Only after the orchard was bulldozed
in 1989 did any major plantings of native plants commence. At first
a few gum trees were planted to satisfy Dot's idea of having bushland
around her, but such was Bob's enthusiasm that after a short time
not only were the "few" gum trees planted but a "middle-storey"
and "lower-storey" of Australian native plants were quickly
added. Bob joined the local "Society for Growing Australian Plants"
where his enthusiasm was kindled further and he began propagating
native plants in earnest. Large mulched beds were formed and developed,
using truckloads of mulch in the process. By 2007 184 truck loads
(1840 cubic metres) of mulch have been spread. Early retirement in
December 1992 gave opportunity for the garden to expand and develop
and Dot and Bob's fascination for the Australian flora to develop
further also.
The garden, on a northerly slope, is elevated above severe frost areas
and generally has a reliable 900mm rainfall. This, combined with fertile
soils ranging from well drained to heavy, allows for a wide range
of plants to be grown.
The lower half of the property became a cow paddock in 1989 and cattle
were put there to graze. It was to have remained so, but late in 1996
enthusiasm for gardening meant a change of plans. The cattle were
removed to allow for plants to be put in the lower part of the property.
Deep ripping was carried out to break up soil compaction and planting
got under way with excellent results. The wildlife lake was constructed
in 1997 and landscaped the following year. In late 1999, two other
areas were ripped and drained to provide for more "dry area"
planting; one of which houses a major grevillea collection blended
with other Northern and Western Australian species including dryandras,
kangaroo paws and mallee gums. The second area is located below the
lake, where, despite the low and moist situation, a wide range of
plants is progressing nicely. Bob was given 20-year-old acacia seed
which he enthusiastically soaked and propagated. In the area near
the back of the property over 100 species of acacias were planted
in 2000. These plants grow magnificently over the dry summer periods.
A number of these plants flowered within two years of seed germination
- really living life in the "fast lane". In October 2000
a further garden bed skirting the lake embankment was prepared and
planted out. Again, the growth and survival rate has been most pleasing.
Soon after the lower arboretum area was converted into several garden
beds and quickly established. The sand gardens near the toilet and
near the garden entrance were started in August 2002 with the intention
of growing such plants as lechenaultias, eremophilas and dryandras.
A large lawn area has been retained as a native parkland design, with
the extensive vistas being incorporated into the garden setting. The
use of lower plants and open space will ensure that the views will
not be lost. Early in 2003 the gazebo was added near this area.
Elsewhere in the garden you may find bottle trees, a shapely flame
tree, the fernery, two beds of tree peonies, numerous bulbs and the
young rainforest near the pine tree. A new rainforest was commenced
below the lake in January 2007.
In 2005 the pebble pond next to the house, the waterwheel and pond,
the formal garden entrance, the wetlands area with its boardwalk were
added and the pathways were covered with native sawdust and shavings
for easy walking. New "Bed and Breakfast" cottages have
been added in 2006 and 2007 and this has required several changes
to garden pathways. The wetlands area has been further developed with
plantings of reeds and Palm Valley started.
Whilst native plants grow well here it is always important to be prepared
to start afresh when plants become "woody," consequently
garden beds have been re-vamped on an ongoing basis. Interspersed
throughout most of the garden is the O.P.C.A.A. correa collection
in all its diversity. Although there are only 11 species of correas,
the differences between the various forms as well as hybridization
can mean one can have hundreds of variations of these plants.
Fruits & Bush Food: A "Bush Foods" garden bed
was planted out in late 2004 with many Australian native plants which
are suitable for eating or using in cooking. Elsewhere you will find
fruiting macadamias, feijoas, a loquat tree, avocados, red currants,
a persimmon, an orange, mandarines, a lemon, a pomelo, a Davidson's
plum (native), cherries, plums, blueberries, kiwi fruit, fig and lilly
pilly.
Source of Plants: Bob has propagated approximately 80% of the
plants in the garden from seed or by tip cuttings using "bottom
heat." It is always a challenge for him to propagate and grow
plants from all areas of Australia.
Birdlife: Approximately 75 different species of birds have
been recorded on the property. Different native plants flowering throughout
the year help provide a source of food for the birds whose chirpy
songs remind us of the name of the property, "Katandra"
- meaning "Song of Birds."
Frogs & Lizards: Several species of frogs have made their
homes here and lizards can be found throughout the garden.
Watering: Natural rainfall provides normal water requirements
for the large mulched garden beds. With the present weather conditions
we believe it is important that garden plantings have their needs
met by natural means as much as possible. Established plants in this
garden have their water requirements met by natural rainfall, but
newer plantings have been watered by buckets during the drought.
* The garden received recognition as an Australian plant garden, and
as a "must see" for those interested in Australian plants
in the journal of the Royal Horticultural Society of U.K. in January
2005.
* Bob was named as ABC Gardening Australia's "GARDENER OF THE
YEAR 2005."
A link to
our home website
Hosts: Dot & Bob O'Neill.
49 Hunter Road, Wandin, Victoria, Australia.
Ph: +61 3 5964 4523
Katandra Gardens is known for its magnificent
range of Australian Native Plants.
For any bookings or enquiries,
Contact us through our main website
Click
here
|
Back
to Home Page