Don Schofield, horticulturist and master practitioner of the art, has gardened all his life, experiencing failures and successes along the way to create his magical Blue Mountains garden, ‘Winterwood’. Here, he shares his knowledge for new gardeners.
Your main tips for new gardeners?
Firstly, do a little bit as often as you can, and gardening will never be a chore. Try different things that are to your liking but learn from neighbours or family and friends, particularly what grows well where you live.
What do you recommend gardeners should look for when choosing trees and shrubs?
Always determine what you are after in your garden. Shade, flower display, or screening, and how much time you have for regular after care to achieve the best results. Always make sure their size at maturity is suitable for the position. Take your time as you will surely find new plants that need a spot as the garden matures and it's a shame to waste a good plant by cramming it in.
Belladonna lily hybrid ‘Alba’, a firm favourite in Don's garden.
Common traps gardeners should avoid?
We are all guilty of trying to grow plants that don't like our conditions. Make sure you understand the plants’ needs and do your best to make it happy. This may mean growing some plants in pots rather than in soil or creating microclimates in your garden for specific plants. As your successes increase, you can trust your judgement more and that's when the fun really begins.
Visit ‘Winterwood’ along with other iconic gardens on the New South Wales Gardens with Graham Ross, 15–24 October 2024. For details, call 1300 233 200 or visit www.rosstours.com
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