-
Create a Victorian garden : A monster-like wall feature Clive bought on the street in Mozambique adds mystery to the outdoor bath there, enjoying the view of the white-flowered potato creeper and a tree dahlia. -
Create a Victorian garden : Two pomegranate trees planted at a steel door create an interesting feature. -
Create a Victorian garden : Australian tree ferns create a lush. -
Create a Victorian garden : The Hindu god Shiva makes an unusual water feature. -
Create a Victorian garden : Hundreds of impatiens are allowed to self-seed and carpet the garden.
PHOTOS: Leana Clunies-Ross | PRODUCTION: Annemarie Meintjes
Creating an apparently neglected Victorian garden can be a lot of hard work, but you’ll reap the benefits in years to come.
Here’s how to go about it:
• Don’t prune anything except the roses.
• Never sweep a thing off the floor.
• Never weed or use insecticides.
• Keep your garden warm in winter with a carpet of dead leaves.
• Mass plant to create visual drama.
• Plant in rotation so that there is always something happening in the garden.
• Plant randomly, creating groves and the appearance that plants have self-seeded.
• Place plenty of water features or random bowls of water around the garden.
• When you find a piece of furniture you like, take it home. It may not find its spot immediately but it will one day.
• Watch your garden patiently – it will tell you what is working and what is not.
