Australian House & Garden

Garden to Go II

I found my Garden to Go. A living, breathing incarnation of what I had been searching for. A soulful, inspirational, kid-friendly nursery with native plants and gardens and friendly knowledgeable staff.

I was stoked to have heard about the place that I dreamt existed. It was called Zanthorrea, a half hour drive from the coast inland. This was not just any old centre, but a destination that encouraged you to picnic and enjoy, breathe in the surroundings and take your time planning, designing and purchasing your garden.

I did not go alone. With 2 and 9 yr old kids in tow, I put the kid-friendly claim to the test. I needn’t have worried. Molly and Polly, the hens were as enjoyed as the fabulous sprawling play area where my kids made friends with others and eventually were loathe to leave.

Somehow this place, this space gave you a taste of how your back garden could be. All the favourite natives were there. Grass alternatives were grouped alongside plants that could withstand the rigours of a coastal climate. Young eucalypt varieties were plentiful and I found out how and when in the build I should replace the Silver Princess that was so rudely ripped out of my front garden as the house was demolished.

If you are a beginner in the native garden stakes, don’t worry. Zanthorrea could be the hi to your five, publishing a Top Ten List of the most hardy natives around with a shrub/tree to suit most situations. I dived in on this information and made a note to include all of the Top 10 plants in my native garden-to-be. For those of you that can’t wait to get to the website to find out what these are, let me divulge. Go and buy a Hakea Laurina (pin-cushion hakea), a Ricinocarpus Tuberculatus (wedding bush, not to be mistaken for a Harry Potter spell) and an Anigozanthos ‘Big Red’ (kangaroo paw).

Zanthorrea is open every day except Christmas. To save you looking it up.

  Kangaroo Paw is just the beginning

   The great shady play area

• Posted By: The Builder at 2.58PM

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