134 / AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
N
estled into the Wooragee Valley,
in the rolling hills between
Beechworth and Wodonga in
Victoria, lies the fragrant, f lower-filled
garden of Janet Lucas. Banks of lavender
line the driveway leading up to the hilltop
home, from where expansive views across
the surrounding country are framed by
f lowerbeds that hug the home.
After some years away, Janet returned
in 1994 to her family’s large property
accompanied by her partner Michael, with
a dream of building a home in which to
raise a family. But before commencing on
the house, Janet began planting the garden
around the proposed residence.
“There was only one tree here when I
started, and I didn’t really know any plant
names,” says Janet. “Mum’s a keen
gardener though, and she gave me lots of
bits and pieces from her garden. I madly
planted deciduous trees, bucketing water
from the dam for them.”
After moving into the new house in
2000, Janet gradually developed her own
style, expanding the garden to half a
hectare over the years. “Thistle-like plants
are my favourites, including sea hollies
(Eryngium) and cardoon (Cynara
cardunculus),” says Janet. “I also love roses,
and all the cottagey perennials like lupins,
foxgloves, penstemons and euphorbias.
And sweet peas – I adore their smell.”
Janet aims to have colour in the garden
all year, so there are drifts of spring bulbs,
which start blooming as early as June,
with liliums in summer and dahlias in
autumn. “The hellebores star in winter,”
says Janet. “I love combining purples,
claret and lime green.”
Her skill in combining plants is evident
throughout the extensive garden beds,
each with its own special f lavour or theme.
Although the granite-based soil is good
and two large dams provide water, the
climate can be harsh, with hard frosts to
-7 ̊C as late as November, and long, hot
spells in summer. Under those conditions,
a garden displaying such a wealth of
beautiful plants is the sign of a very good
gardener indeed. >The maidenhair tree (Gingko
biloba) turns a lovely
butter-gold in autumn.
BELOW The rose-flanked
walkway became the
wedding aisle when Janet
and Michael married in 2012.