Visit the magnificent gardens of Boat’s End

Close to South Australia’s far southern coast, near the mouth of the Murray River, lies Boat’s End, a remarkable garden of plants chosen for their perfect fit with the area’s natural pattern of cool, rainy winters followed by hot and fairly dry summers. It’s a sensible way to garden because if the plants you choose can largely live on the rainfall you get, you not only save on applied water, the garden you create will look like it belongs in the natural landscape of your region. And choosing plants adapted to your climate isn’t limiting because your climate isn’t unique in the world. Many other parts will have a similar rainfall pattern to yours, so as well as all your local native plants, you can add species from other, similar climate zones. That’s what was done at Boat’s End, and the beautiful result speaks for itself. After a rainy winter, the garden is full of flowers in spring and early summer. The soil is still moist and the heat is yet to hit. Yellows, oranges and reds dominate, with spots of purply-blue set in a sea of grey-green foliage. The colours blend with those of the distant landscape –a perfect partnership.

2. Gladiolus carneus with its red-flecked white flowers is one of spring’s surprises. It pops up in late winter, blooms in spring and dies away in summer.

3. The roof of the house

and of each outbuilding drains into a water tank. But, because much of this water is needed for the house, there isn’t enough left for garden use. In summer, these plants will drop leaves, die back or shrivel to conserve water. Regrowth is rapid when cool rain starts falling in autumn. A great water conservation idea for you to copy!

5 Striking succulent

Crassula arborescens stores water in its thickened leaves while its silvery surfaces reflect heat and light away. You’ll find this and other succulents are great choices where summers are hot and dry.

6 Complementing the surrounds,

the house’s cladding and trim in silver and blue is a great match for the garden’s colour.