EVERY part of Barb Ormesher’s garden tells a different story.
From her marvellous mosaics, to the various frog sculptures and gorgeous ground covers, it has all helped to produce a glittering garden.
The latest case study in Sunraysia Daily’s autumn gardening series shows what can be achieved on an average suburban block when your imagination runs wild with mosaics, paths to allow easy access, and a water feature to match simple garden varieties.
Irymple grandmother Barb Ormesher downsized to her Francesca Drive property about five years ago, after she struggled to keep up the maintenance on a property she had shared with husband Dennis, who passed away in 2014.
It’s clearly her happy place – and one she takes enormous pride in.
“I created a lot of this for my young grandchildren at the time,” the 65-year-old said. “There’s bit and pieces to keep the kids interested.
“I love the comments from people walking past, and they ask for a cutting of this or that, which I happily agree to. That’s how I actually got a lot of my garden going. It’s cuttings from friends and family.”
Mrs Ormesher is particularly fond of the three Queensland bottle trees in her garden, along with a trio of crepe myrtles, which produce magnificent white, burgundy and pink flowers from late spring into early autumn.
She describes her garden as “eclectic”, but it all seems to work.
Tom Fagan, Sunraysia Daily’s gardening expert who runs Tara Landscaping in Red Cliffs, gave a thumbs up to how well it has come together.
“This garden is proof that you don’t need to have an enormous property to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful garden,” he said. “Congratulations, Barb. I am really impressed.”
Mrs Ormesher said there are at least 150 plants in her front and back yard, including rosemary, violets, mini pig face (with pink flowers) and out the back has a big assortment of impatiens, geraniums and lobelias.
Her biggest tip for fellow home gardeners is pretty simple.
“No matter what sort of garden you’ve got, maintenance of it is so important,” she said.
“The more effort you put in, the more your garden will reward you.”
She fully appreciates the therapeutic qualities of gardening.
“Just working in the garden is a big joy for me,” she said. “I always feel nicely exhausted and sleep well after a day in the garden.
“Out the front I can hear my pond. I love sound of the running water.
“I really just enjoy it all.”
