A masterly transformation.
Address: 1390 Castlereagh Highway, Apple Tree Flat, NSW 2850
Author: Jane Ivers
‘Wisteria Ridge’ is a beautiful haven with glorious views over the Cudgegong Valley. When Val and Col Stubbs moved into their new house 18 years ago, they were faced with the challenge of turning a bare rocky site into a garden. Importing tonnes of topsoil was the first step, followed by years of careful selection and placement of hardy plants.
Textural structure is the key here, and variety of leaf colour as important as flowers. Val and Col are adventurous in their choice of plants which, once proven to be successful are often propagated and spread to other parts of the garden. A large collection of natives such as grevilleas and emu bushes provide food and shelter for a variety of birds which can often be glimpsed flitting through the trees.
A canopy of tall eucalypts such as white box provide some shelter from the worst of the heat in summer, and below these trees grows a wide variety of plants: some, such as pelargoniums, are protected enough to grow exuberantly. The outer parts of the garden are planted with boabs, crepe myrtles, kurrajongs and even an English oak.
The east facing bank at the front of the house is replete with plants both native and exotic, underplanted with white alyssum which forms a snowy carpet the length of the bank. There’s a magnificent prostrate Cootamundra wattle, and a splendid smoke bush as well as numerous grevilleas, banksias, rosemary and lavender plants. At the top of the bank is a long border where different varieties of rose are planted, some of which Val has struck from cuttings.
Along the house verandah, attractive groupings of pots contain somewhat tender plants such as maiden hair ferns and succulents. It’s a delightful place to sit and enjoy the morning sunshine.
Throughout the garden are scattered Col’s marvellous quirky sculptures fashioned from found farm objects. They add a special touch to this spectacular, much loved garden.