Paul Bangay

Open garden wash up

Paul Bangay — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:30:22 +0000

Thank you to every one who made the past weekend a huge success, we had well over 6000 visitors and sold hundreds of books, 2000 scones, many seed packets and hopefully brought lots of joy and inspiration to many people. l know the Stephanie Alexander KItchen Garden Foundation was thrilled with the result, with all our profites going to this worth while charity. For me personally it was totally over whelming to meet so many people and to be able to share my garden and house and even my soul with every one that attended. Every one was so generous both financially and in spirit and that means the world to me. So from a very exhausted gardener l thank every one who helped prepare the garden and the event and everyone who attended, from the bottom of my heart thank you all so much. l am know in Tasmania on Trisha Dixons garden tour recovering, so for now enjoy the memory.

Paul

Open garden weekend

Paul Bangay — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:50:06 +0000

Not much of a blog this week due to the stress, hard work and lack of time , all owing to the forth coming garden opening this weekend at Stonefields. Please come and support the garden and all the hard work every one has put in as well as helping out a great charity. We are open both Saturday and Sunday from 10 till 5pm. Simply look up Denver on your map and it is sign posted from there, allow 1hr 10 min from Melbourne.

Hope to see you there,

one very tired gardener.

Margaret Throsby

Paul Bangay — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:05:53 +0000

This week l was able to full fill a dream l have had for a long time, an interview with Margaret Throsby on ABC Classic fm. Every week l listen to her as l design in my studio at Stonefields, wondering how rewarding it must be to be able to have her speak to you for a full hour instead of the normal 5min grabs you get from normal radio interviews. To my great surprise l was invited to be on her show following the release of my last book ” The Paul Bangay Plant Book”. The experience was up there with meeting the Queen last week, she made me feel so relaxed and comfortable and an hour interview passed so quickly leaving me wanting far more. Its great to be able to have your life and career documented in such lasting and amazing ways, l feel truly blessed for this experience.

Life at Stonefields goes on with the property becoming more and more productive with the arrival of two bee hives. These are positioned under my crabapples on the protected eastern side of the garden and will hopefully provide me with all the honey l require. We now have our own fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, meat and now honey, its the Good Life happening all over again.

“Mornings” ABC Classic FM – 2 November 2011

(Presenter: Margaret Throsby)

Listen online at www.abc.net.au

Spring Rains

Paul Bangay — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:59:46 +0000

Regular rainfall has kept the garden looking fresh and lush as we head towards the heat of summer. The rain has been particularly good for the white garden with the pleached hornbeams producing plenty of lateral growth which is needed as we train them along the bamboo canes that will eventually create this thin blade of foliage running 2m off the ground enveloping the entire garden. My pleached hedge will help define the garden but also add another layer of windbreak to the space.

The white garden is full of white Rugosa roses that are now in full bloom, their scent is magnified due to the enclosure of the hedges that trap the perfume, visiting this garden at this time of the year is intoxicating . I have a simple teak bench in the garden but really a pavilion is much needed, this would allow you to sit and eat as well entertain. All gardens should have a choice of areas to sit comfortably in, a simple seat is good for a brief encounter but really you need a larger undercover space to place food drinks in.

My dream for this garden is an old slate roofed rectangular pavilion with old timber stained beams and open to the front, sited directly at the end of the pond. Dreams are always good as they keep you interested in your own garden and allow you to plan for future expansion, a garden should never stand still it should always be evolving and developing to suit your needs as well as your tastes.

My big project for next year is my lake in the house paddock that will be feed from the top dam via a rill that will run along the natural depression in the house paddock. I dream here of a larger top dam with a stone bridge for the cars and of my new lake with a stone jetty with a turf floor. The new lake will also be surrounded by hundreds of water iris and surrounded by white dogwoods that will reflect their magical white hue into the darkness of the water. It’s always great to dream!

I was fortunate and blessed to be able to meet the Queen this week at the opening of the Royal Childrens Hospital, my good friend Tony Beddison who is the CEO of the Hospital invited me. Being a great traditionalist and therefore Royalist this was a great highlight in my life. I went straight from the meeting to the farm where l was to give a tour of the garden to the Queen Adelaide Society, still in my smart suit l had to quickly help the vet with two of the bulls, soon to be steers, where upon one managed to pooh all over my sleave. No time to clean up l thought all the ladies will think its terribly funny to have been elevated to such heights only to be brought back to reality by some true bullshit!

New growth

Paul Bangay — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 21:44:21 +0000

The first wave of spring has long since passed leaving the garden with a profusion of new growth. This stage of Spring is similar to teenage years as young sleepy plants suddenly erupt into an explosion of awkward abundance , form that was neat and controlled suddenly transforms into an uncontrollable mess of lush green foliage. l know its all good from the rich lime green colour of the leaves but l almost despise it for its ability to turn my garden into one that looks unkept. All will be rectified with the arrival of the trimming brigade in the last two weeks of November, they will again restore the garden to its desired form.

The parterre has performed well this year with the white tulips flowering early and now being replaced with the dark plum colour of Queen of the Night, this tulip is a late flowering variety thus extending the gardens flowering period to over two months. The rose garden is beginning to show signs of maturing, the roses are nearly all the one variety, William Shakespeare, and just a few Rugosas. The Iris are just beginning to bloom maintaining the deep maroon colour scheme of the space whilst the odd Queen Annes lace provides light to this deep colour scheme. The woodland is finally feeling established as its growth transforms it from an open garden to an enclosed inward looking space. The flowering is perfectly staggered with anemones first followed by solomons seal, then Viburnums and finally by Hydrangeas taking it well into Summer.

We are well on track for the garden looking at its peak for the open weekend in November, so please come and support this developing landscape as well as a worth while charity.

Paul

Waves of Spring

Paul Bangay — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:26:55 +0000

Spring arrives to the central highlands and in particular to my garden in two major waves, the first wave is well and truly washing over the garden now. This first surge leaves the garden awash in colour and flowers with tulips and crabapples being the major contributors to this spectacular show. Over 8000 tulips are currently flowering in the garden, the parterre is overflowing with Bokassa white tulips, the apple walk combines the rich deep purple of Queen of the night with similar tones of flowering alliums, whilst the white garden is full of white parrot tulips. The house field the wraps around the garden is punctuated with 50 Malus floribunda, these are currently showing their early flush of warm pink that will soon turn to almost pure white as they near the end of their spring flush. These trees are nearing 8 years old and are looking magnificent as they help soften the corners of the formal parts to the garden helping the garden merge with the informality of the surrounding landscape.

The woodland planted only 4 years ago is just starting to show signs of maturity thus adding to the profusion of blooms. Helleborus is alternating with woodland anemones down the length of the meandering path that cuts through the woodland. All the Viburnums and Dogwoods are just about to burst into flower, whilst the carpet of Solomons seal and Astilble are just awaking from their winter sleep.

This first wave of flowering is soon to be replaced with the later spring flush of the Hedgerows, perennial beds and roses in November, just in time for the open garden weekend of the 19th and 20th of November, hope to see you then.

Herbs, walks and drives

Paul Bangay — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 08:21:28 +0000

Once again l found myself traveling vast distances through the countryside pursuing my work. Every time l find myself miles from any large city working l remind myself just how lucky l am to be able to travel all over Australia and even the world creating gardens. This time l was near Black Spring in central N.S.W placing trees in my best Capability Brown style, creating buttons of trees in a paddock that flanks a new kilometre long Lime tree drive that l recently designed. The weather was freezing, not exceeding 5c , but this did not dampen my enthusiasm as l placed over 300 tulip and horse chestnut trees. It will be well over 20 years before the client sees any results of our hard work but thats the wonderful about country people they are patient and are up for creating spectacular and large landscapes.

Back at Stonefields the early spring caused by our unseasonably warm weather means there is a lot to be done in my own garden. l spent last weekend re working my herb garden. This garden had previously been two large beds full of mixed herbs, but due to my obsessive nature this was to unruly and messy for me. The answer was to divide the space with Buxus hedge into sixteen compartments, allowing one different type of herb per space. All existing herbs were pulled out divided and replanted into their new place. Already the garden looks more organised and sophisticated.

Whilst l was at college studying my degree in landscape design l was very fortunate to work with the late Kevin O’Neill in his garden at Mt Macedon. The property was called Marnanie and one if its enduring memories for me was a walk of Rhododendron fragrantissima and Hydrangea panniculata. The Rhododendron flowered in late spring with the most amazing nutmeg fragrance whilst the Hydrangea flowered in summer with long white grape like clusters of flowers. This particular Hydrangea grows into a tree in the Hamptons where l have used it extensively. l have now found a place where l have created a new walk to recreate this magical garden that l remember so well from my childhood. This weekend l planted 100 Rhododendrons and 60 Hydrangeas along my new path that connects an old dead path in woodland with the front lawn. This opportunity has come about due to the maturing of my trees and the desired shade that they now bring to the area. My garden at long last now is starting to mature into a landscape diverse with both light and shade, a truly gratifying transformation from a bare paddock lacking protection and shade affording trees.

Spring is coming

Paul Bangay — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:01:27 +0000

The weather has warmed just enough to coax me out from the warmth of the sitting room fire into the garden. Preparations are taking place for the open garden weekend on the 19th and 20th of November and with that in mind all l need is a hint of warmth and l am out in the garden working. The most memorable part of last weekend was walking around and catching the scent of the winter honeysuckle in the hedgerows. I had placed this plant in the hedges adjacent to gates and entrances so its scent was easily obvious as you circulated around the garden, everytime l passed through one of these openings I caught the strong sweet perfume of this hardy climber.

The rose garden is receiving a complete makeover as l try to come to terms with the messy and unruly nature of a proper rose garden. It previously contained numerous varieties of deep red roses, which in my mind looked unkept, it will now house only two types William Shakespeare as the main bush rose and Red Pierre as a climber over the central obelisks.l have also thinned out the number of perennials allowed to grow through the roses bushes. Before l was trying to achieve a very full and crammed look where now it is far more restrained. This part of the garden will be looking at its best for the open garden weekend.

As with all vegetable gardens they are by their very nature labour intensive, so my near weekly workout involved pruning and tying the raspberries onto their frame. Much reading was needed before tackling this job as their is much confusing information when it comes to raspberry pruning. l finally settled on the school that suggests simply removing all suckers and old canes whilst leaving the healthy succulent 1st year canes, which you then tie to your frame or wires. The effect is most satisfying as the bed is transformed from mess to order.

Every where there are signs of the forth coming spring, all the tulip bulbs are well advanced and should be ready to bloom in september, the crabapple buds are swelling as they are the first of the trees to blossom, even the buxus is showing signs of the forth coming flush of lime green new growth. Its only weeks before the garden wakens from its long winter sleep.

Paul Bangay Open Garden – Stonefields

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:43:52 +0000

19-20 November 2011

A rare opportunity to explore Stonefields, one of Australia’s most beautiful country gardens

Open: 10am – 5pm
Tickets: $20 (children 12 and under free)

All proceeds support the great work of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.

Pre-purchase tickets online and be in the draw to win a collection of books signed by Stephanie Alexander and Paul Bangay.

Stonfields is 10 minutes from Daylesford. Follow the signs from Denver on the Daylesford-Malmsbury Road (Melway Map 609 E8)

Dogs not permitted. Unsuitable for prams or wheelchairs.

Country tea & home-made scones will be available.

kitchengardenfoundation.org.au

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Travels and gardens

Paul Bangay — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:18:07 +0000

I have just returned from two beautiful weeks in London and Berlin, looking at gardens and architectural details. I find great inspiration from these visits, not only does it help recharge my creative batteries but it allows me to be forever learning. I gain inspiration from simply walking around the streets looking at shop windows, small front gardens, and architectural details of houses or other buildings and of course from visiting totally amazing large historic gardens.

In London l was shown around the garden that is attached to the natural history museum. I have passed by this garden many times and have never realized it was there as it is well hidden by the large plane trees that front Brompton Rd. The garden consists of several indigenous landscapes that are found in Britain and attempts to recreate them in miniature in the grounds of the museum. It’s the most enchanting experience as you step of the very busy and loud world that is Brompton Rd and escape into what appears to be the English countryside. The gardens are so successful that they are now home to many animals and birds not usually found in London.

This garden is well worth visiting if you are in London and looking for some bucolic tonic.

In Berlin l ventured out to Postdam for the day to visit the many royal palaces and gardens. The most interesting being Sanssouci, the palace belonging to the the highly refined Frederick The Great. The palace its self is high Rococo not a style l am particularly fond of it, but its worth seeing for its incredible human scale and detail, as this building was made for one king who lived alone and rarely entertained. The garden that is attached to this palace is well worth visiting. Its main feature is the extensive decorative orchards, these consist of hornbeam tunnels and beech hedges that combine to form rooms into which a different type of fruit tree is planted into. One room may contain all Plums whilst another is all Cherries. I was so impressed that all l want at home is a large orchard, unfortunately l have run out of level land. I keep dreaming of this orchard and it is now haunting me, one thing that a designer hates is not being allowed to make a dream come true. I am not going to give up on this thought, somewhere l will find space for my Sanssouci inspired orchard.