Our Philosophy
Gardens are not simply planted — they are made, slowly and with optimism.
This garden began in 2012 as little more than an idea: beyond a wish to create a place full of movement, birdsong, winding paths, and quiet corners where a person could sit and rest.
The highlight was being part of the Victorian Open Garden scheme which after being postponed due to COVID finally went ahead in 2022.
We had a Virtual Open Garden in 2021 – but that is not really the same as being “live”
Now here we are in 2026 – so many projects still to do but as we all agree a garden is never finished.
The Garden Now
garden rooms inspired by Edna Walling
secret garden hidden behind hand-made doors
roses, native plants, woodland
bird friendly “houses” and baths!
Where did we start?
Edna Walling was a big fan of birches so it made sense to start here, to form a centre piece for the back garden.
It also meant we could start clearing the weeds and overgrown plants to see what was really there – and hope for the best.
We found a gently sloping area and a state of the art irrigation system!
The Rosa di Pagola also took advantage of existing infrastructure – a cement cricket-pitch at the front of the garden, followed up with a Rose garden and covered in a grapevine – right next to the orchard and the olive trees.
It is even more stunning in Autumn as the vine turns red for ages before all the leaves fall off. There is a giant wooden apple just so you know you are in the “fruit” garden along with the blueberry bushes.!
We built a woodland with a dry stone wall, waterfall, a Secret Garden – the birds came – as well as the kangaroos!
Next there was the Wisteria Colonnade where we took advantage of a very old wisteria – planted a couple more and built a Colonnade along with a Mary-lou Pittard tiled panel on the floor.
We are now at the stage (early 2026) where we can revisit some of our early work and update – such as the Perennial Garden, Birch Forest and the waterfall.
Also fencing with black square wire to keep the rabbits away. Also the kangaroos are plentiful but they can go where they like and as you know they are usually very relaxed.
Have a look at the post links below so you can really see what the start of the “garden” journey really looked like!
Welcome to Uccello Lane 