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<\/p>\nPam Hales has moved around a lot in her life but there has been\u00a0one constant \u2013 her desire to create a garden everywhere she has called home.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love to dig and plant, creating new gardens,\u201d she said. \u201cMy passion for gardening came I believe for the love of flowers and picking posies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her current garden is a seaside creation that will be on display on the weekend of November 19 and 20 as part of the Open Gardens SA scheme.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy current garden came to be with building my new house in\u00a0town,\u201d Pam said. \u201cI couldn\u2019t wait to get it planned and planted, once the layout, edges and borders were in place, the first rule is to plant quickly to get things growing. I had a fair idea what plants I wanted so within a year I had most plants in place. Now three years later plants are looking great and the challenge now will be how they cope with these hilltop strong winds.\u201d<\/p>\n
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It is a garden paradise that sees Pam tending to the space around two to three hours a week as a general rule. \u201cThere is always the vegie garden to water and weed, plants to trim or lawn to mow,\u00a0and regular hedge trimming,\u201d she said. \u201cI just love pottering around. One job I don\u2019t like is whipper snipping as usually the wind blows\u00a0it everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pam\u2019s Beachport garden is called Spindrift and she loves nothing better than returning from her early morning swim to lay in the hammock in the morning sun.<\/p>\n
Spindrift is a creative and quirky seaside garden that harmonises beautifully with the surrounding coastal landscape. Named for the strong south winds and salt-laden spray that often buffet the area, the garden has been established using robust plants that grow well and look at home in the seaside setting. Adding to the character and beachy feel are many interesting items found washed up on the beach, carted home and cleverly re-used to become fun and fitting garden art.<\/p>\n
The sandy soil, sun and harsh winds are challenging but the selection of climate-compatible species has meant plants have survived and are happily thriving in the testing conditions. Many, like the cluster of clipped coastal rosemary and woolly bush domes that make a bold statement\u00a0by the entrance to the house, have textural foliage in the lovely muted green or subtle silvery tones so often found in coastal vegetation. Tufty grasses contrast with the foliage of banksias, casuarina, pencil pines and the many succulents planted both\u00a0in the garden and in the owner\u2019s\u00a0eclectic collection of pots and unconventional containers.<\/p>\n
Weathered timber has been given a new life disguising fences and edging garden beds, and with the gravel and pebble paths, collections of driftwood, old boat rope, shells, sea glass and other \u2018treasure\u2019, perfectly fits with the coastal theme.<\/p>\n
In a sheltered spot is the small but productive vegie garden with an old bath resourcefully converted into a raised bed for herbs.<\/p>\n
Proceeds from the two day event will go to the Beachport Surf Lifesaving Club.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is so important living by the ocean to have these people to look after and teach our kids how to swim and survive rough water,\u201d Pam said. \u201cThey have to personally fundraise to be able to offer this service to all.\u201d<\/p>\n
There will sale of plants, artwork and driftwood hangers.<\/p>\n
Spindrift is located at 3 Northwest Terrace, Beachport and the garden is open 10am to 4.30pm on both days.<\/p>\n
General Entry Cost – $10 \u2013 Children under 18 FREE. Open Gardens SA MEMBERS – $8.<\/p>\n
Commonwealth Government Concession Card Holders – $8 (Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card). No concession for Seniors Card holders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pam Hales creates a garden paradise at Beachport Pam Hales has moved around a lot in her life but there has been\u00a0one constant \u2013 her desire to create a garden everywhere she has called home. \u201cI love to dig and plant, creating new gardens,\u201d she said. \u201cMy passion for gardening came I believe for the […]<\/p>\n