Put simply, Suzie Kidman can\u2019t remember a time when she wasn\u2019t interested in gardening but a quick walk down memory lane would see her passion for time in the great outdoors came from her grandmother.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just feel like it has always been a part of my life,\u201d Suzie said. \u201cMy grandmother was a very keen gardener and I just feel like I have always loved it.\u201d<\/p>\n
This weekend, Suzie is showcasing her downsized garden as one of three Penola gardens opening their gates to the public as part of the Open gardens SA scheme.<\/p>\n
After spending 38 years cultivating and developing a huge garden at the family property, Suzie has spent the past nine years creating a suburban block sized garden in the heart of Penola \u2013 a new challenge after the basically boundary-less expanses of her farm garden.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was out at Limestone Ridge (family property) I could just keep adding and adding and that\u2019s what I did,\u201d Suzie said. \u201cBut when we swapped houses with our son and daughter-in-law and moved into town, I did have to think it through a bit more and plan because I was working with a suburban block.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suzie is the first to admit, the Limestone Ridge garden was becoming simply too much, even for the most passionate garden and she has embraced the downsizing, especially as she has still been able to include things close to her heart, the veggie garden and fruit trees, providing the fresh produce for her other passion \u2013 cooking.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is amazing what you can do with a town block,\u201d Suzie said. \u201cI am still growing my veggies, herbs and fruit trees as well as all the beautiful flowers. I could always find a space on the farm to do whatever I wanted but now I have to be disciplined about the plantings and I am grateful now that I don\u2019t have a bigger garden.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suzie\u2019s town garden is compact but overflowing with roses, many perennials including hardy salvias, hellebores, agastache, foxgloves, delphiniums, daylilies, delicate Queen Anne\u2019s lace and other old-fashioned favourites.<\/p>\n
A tall pittosporum hedge creates a backdrop for a border of roses with flowers in shades ranging from yellow to pink and into red, all underplanted with vibrantly coloured iris. Pots of annuals add extra pops of colour and throughout, there are succulents imaginatively planted in interesting containers. Chinese star jasmine along the western boundary fence makes a lovely green outlook from the house and as well as providing perfume when in flower.<\/p>\n
A Chinese pistachio tree chosen for its fine foliage and glorious autumn colour is centred in the gravel paths between the raised beds in the vegetable garden. Although small, this productive area is well-tended and with several dwarf fruit trees, provides a supply of fruit, vegetables and herbs. The chook house tucked away in the back corner is partially hidden by a vigorous climbing iceberg rose.<\/p>\n
Gardening and cooking aren\u2019t the end of Suzie\u2019s talents either – she also creates superb needlework cushions and bags and her work will be on display with some pieces for sale.<\/p>\n
Proceeds from Suzie\u2019s Open Garden will go to the CWA.<\/p>\n