Our garden evolved slowly after the completion of our home in 2015. It began with maples, silver birch in the front with standard Just Joey roses at the entry. We continued garden bed, by garden bed until we reached the side and back.

Having a mother who was an incredible ‘green thumb’ it was important to me to feel her influence of European descent; the Blue Spruce was a must.

Her love of camellias, roses and waratahs is also evident along with gardenia at the front door.

Of course, these plants, trees and shrubs thrive in our mountainous climate, and so do I. It feels like home and is.

We dabble in fruit trees, mainly citrus and veggies, but between the King Parrots and native bush rats (antechinus), it’s a challenge.

Leigh’s creativity is evident with every retaining wall, formal parterre and my beautiful “She Shed’. I design and he creates, and together we get there in the end. It’s our love of labour and sanctuary.

We feel so blessed to immerse ourselves into this incredible region and landscape.

It’s certainly a work in progress, and that’s the exciting part, along with sharing our surroundings with friends and family.