I ventured into the Big Smoke yesterday to go to
the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.
Set out under the established trees in one of the city's oldest gardens...
it was a delight to wander about on, a rather uncrowded, opening day.
Of course there were flowers.
There were the usual displays of collectors' items.
Even a whole orchard on one tree!
My sister and I found that a bit disturbing.
Then there were the show gardens proving
just how much you can squeeze into a small space.
This one turned my head. I have been planning
how to put an outdoor shower in the garden
and this gave me a few ideas.
The 'plug hole' effect was clever.
This one had a natural pool.
No chlorine or other chemicals required.
The water is cleaned using natural systems
such as gravel and reed beds.
A young girl designed this 'children's garden' based
on Alice in Wonderland.
These chairs had everyone chuckling.
But I would want one personally fitted please...
just to make sure it could accommodate me.
A major theme of the show gardens was recycling.
This colourful one sported a seat made from
reclaimed boat timbers.
Inviting...those are steps in the middle,
leading up to a small deck.
An interesting use for old wooden pallets.
I was getting a little tired by this stage..
but I refrained from doing the obvious.
And again, on a smaller scale.
...and again...on a larger, quilted, scale.
This was my favourite garden.
I think it was a student entry and it didn't
win a prize...but it should have.
Ingenious use of rubbish
and salvaged items.
The retaining wall is made of old pavers, broken concrete,
odd stones, and bricks.
From another angle.
When I really got tired
I found a seat and listened to my mate,
Don Burke.
I travelled by coach into the city and home again...
to keep my carbon emissions down.
