The Chronicle

Gardening in full bloom for comp

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CAITLYN Mason has been planning to enter her exquisite small garden in The Chronicle Garden Competitio­n since she first bought her home three years ago.

The property hadn’t been lived in for more than five years, meaning the house and garden required plenty of work. This year, it’s finally ready for the big show.

“It’s never really finished; my garden is a continuous labour of love,” Caitlyn said.

There are 500 tulips, 43 roses and more than 200 dahlias in her exquisite English cottage style garden, which is also equipped with foxgloves, delphinium­s, a winding brick path and raised sitting area.

The result is a “picking garden”, where she can create her own bouquets to share with friends and family.

Caitlyn’s labour of love is inspired by the Chelsea Garden Show, and she loves hearing the stories behind each of the gardens entered.

For Caitlyn, gardening is a journey, and she said it could be quite a process to get things finished.

And if you happen to make a mistake, she said not to worry – you can just move your things around until you find the best spot.

Caitlyn hopes to inspire others to enter the competitio­n and to connect with the community.

She said gardeners didn’t have to have a large garden either - you can work with the space that you’ve got and plant what you love.

Entries to The Chronicle Garden Competitio­n are still open but close on July 31. Visit thechronic­le.com.au/gardencomp to fill in the online entry form or look for the printed entry forms published in the paper.

Its major sponsors are Heritage Bank, Toowoomba Regional Council and University of Southern Queensland.

 ?? Photos: Contribute­d ?? TRANQUIL SPACE: Caitlyn Mason is a first-time entrant in The Chronicle Garden Competitio­n.
Photos: Contribute­d TRANQUIL SPACE: Caitlyn Mason is a first-time entrant in The Chronicle Garden Competitio­n.
 ??  ?? A section of Caitlyn Mason's picking garden, which she has entered in The Chronicle Garden Competitio­n.
A section of Caitlyn Mason's picking garden, which she has entered in The Chronicle Garden Competitio­n.
 ??  ?? Caitlyn Mason is preparing her greenery for The Chronicle Garden Competitio­n.
Caitlyn Mason is preparing her greenery for The Chronicle Garden Competitio­n.
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