“Drumlough”, 463 Queens Pinch Rd, Spring Flat.
Author: Jane Munro.
360 degrees of delightful gardens and spectacular views.
Perched on a ridge-top, Michelle’s and Jeff’s property has several dams, thanks to its former use as a fish farm. As a result, black swans, ibis, kingfishers, ducks and other water birds are frequently in residence. One dam is filled with lotus plants. Well established eucalypts on the lower level, near the dams, create a picturesque vista.
The orchard contains espaliered apples and pears, peaches, plums, figs, cherries, apricots and nectarines.
A deeply curved bed in front of the house on the eastern side is filled with buddleias, magnolia varieties, mays, and ornamental pears.
An archway overlooking the dam to the northeast is bordered by crepuscule roses and Chinese pistachio trees, with many lavenders, and bearded iris borders.
There’s a wonderful, highly productive berry patch, with sylvan berries and loganberries- Michelle says “We get so many berries, we freeze heaps, and eventually we just don’t bother to pick them.” Nearby, there are terraced vegetable beds, and bee hives.
The formal rose bed is abuzz with bees in the pink and white blossomed rose varieties, the underplanted catmint, and the carpet of dichondra varieties.
The north-facing verandah is shaded in summer by an ornamental grape. Down from the house, the north slope is dotted with prolifically fruiting citrus and deciduous ornamentals.
There’s a delightful potting shed, built as a covid project. I think it’s really too lovely, to sully it with the messy business of potting!
Unusually for our area, there’s 10 year-old jacaranda. The secret to its success is the use of haybales for protection in winter, when the tree was small.
In various locations around the house, pot plants have been clustered in sunny spots under deciduous trees.
The 360 degree views out over the surrounding landscape to the encircling hills beyond, is unforgettable, and uplifting to the spirits.
