FABULOUS GARDEN:
BEFORE AND AFTER
A TOOWOOMBA couple has shared before and after photos of their garden, after spending the past three years nurturing it into a botanical marvel.
Richard and Anne-Maree Lindeman’s garden in Highfields is one of 10 featured in this year’s Garden For Good digital showcase.
When the couple first began the complete renovation of their garden in 2017, the plan was to always enter it in The Chronicle Garden Competition in 2020.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was reimaged into Garden For Good.
“Prior to moving to Toowoomba in 2017, we lived in Cairns and made the pilgrimage south for many years to view the magnificent gardens of Toowoomba during the Carnival of Flowers,” Mr Lindeman said.
“It has been on my bucket list to establish a garden worthy of entry into this event.”
He said the focus of the garden was to feature largely native natives in a natural landscape.
“A series of natural waterfalls and rock pools and a formal water feature provide natural sounds and reflections from our outdoor living spaces as well as vistas from inside our house,” he said.
“We designed our garden to feature key rooms where you can sit and appreciate it.
“The front section of our garden incorporates drier plant species and native grasses with feature sandstone rocks and dry creek beds representing the west. The back section represents the wetter forests of the east with rainforest species, tree ferns and orchids spread out among the basalt rocks in our creek and waterholes.”
In the photos shared by the couple, you can see the yard was demolished, including the lawn being ripped up.
It was a fresh slate.
Mrs Lindeman said they were keen to design their garden from scratch.
“We set about removing the previous tired old garden of mature camellias and lawn. We only retained the privacy hedging on the property boundary, a few non-native established trees and a single wisteria. This is the largest project that we have taken on,” she said.
“The native plants in our garden provide refuge for many native birds from both the tall open forests and the drier inland areas.
“Natural rock pools and structured water features provide a watering point for birdlife and habitat for native frogs, fish and crustaceans.
“The environment that we have created brings us much satisfaction and joy.”
She said the use of native plants was a critical element of the garden.
“Our love for garden design and our careers as park rangers has manifested in our affinity with native plants and wildlife,” she said.
“We take much joy from creating a garden to attract native wildlife.”
To see more of the Lindeman’s garden visit www.thechroicle.com.au/gardenforgood. You can donate to their charity of choice, The Australian Wildlife Conservatory, online.