Photo - Liz Gledhill
How long has gardening been part of your life?
I have been growing plants since I was a child and have had a lifelong love affair with gardening.My first success was with sunflowers,
a great way to get any child intrigued as the results are so quick and impressive! I remember growing vegies too, but the thing that really fuelled
my ongoing romance with plants was perfume. I think it was Jasminum multiflora, and I am still in love with it and other perfumed plants.
Let’s talk favourites: tool?
My favourite implement is my long-handled spade. It has a lovely narrow blade which slides into the soil easily and the long handle gives me plenty of
leverage for planting and digging.
And a fertilizer?
My best fertilizer is organic. It’s easy on the worms and enriching for the soil. I always go organic.
What about plants?
I love growing tough shrubs which give the garden good form and I especially seek out the wonderful garden treasures that don't have much pot appeal but
are brilliant in the garden. Phlomis is a good example. Phlomis lanata is particularly good, as is Teucrium azurea, and many salvias,
to name just a few.
Do you have some advice for gardeners?
Good gardens are like slow food, they take love and time and care and sometimes a bit of help but they are worth the wait. Better than a takeaway any day.
Waverley Nursery is at 314 Matcham Rd, Matcham. It is open most weekends, 10am – 5pm. Call 0403 592 329 to confirm. Email waverleynursery@comcen.com.au for a catalogue.
Text: Libby Cameron