40 MAY 2019 GARDENING AUSTRALIA
OVER THE FENCE
Besides Michael and Nicki, Debbie
shares her garden with cats Pepper
and Chilli, and lively puppy Jess. The
numerous visiting birds, including king
parrots, eastern spinebills, doves and
lorikeets aren’t overly fussed by the cats,
which nonetheless wear reflective collars
and sleep inside at night. To further thwart
the felines, Debbie surrounded the bird
feeder with dense, thorny shrubs, which
may not have been her best decision.
“It’s very hard to weed the germinating
seeds that the birds flick out!” she says.
Debbie’s clever plant placement means
that both front and back gardens require
close investigation to fully appreciate
what’s there. “Growing taller plants in
front of smaller varieties adds depth,
she says. “It’s boring and unnatural if
you see a garden all at once.”
A SHARED PASSION
While each of their gardens is distinctly
different, Debbie and Eleanor’s love for
native plants is mutual. “There’s a plant
for every situation,” says Debbie. “They
blend beautifully with exotics and bring in
the birds, butterflies and native bees.”
“Growing native plants is a way of
saying I’m proud to be Australian,” adds
Eleanor. “I love their beauty and variety.”
The neighbours are appreciative of each
other’s achievements and have opened
their gardens as a ‘double act’, continuing
the cycle of inspiration and knowledge for
hundreds of other gardeners. GA