By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
AMONG timber, stone and colourful exotic flowering trees and shrubs, it’s easy to find serenity in the Somerfield estate’s Wes Fleming-inspired garden.
One of Mr Fleming’s passions is to use exotics, bucking the trend for all-native gardens.
His ‘Reflections’ garden — designed and constructed by TLC Design — makes stunning use of exotics such as a cercis, a spindly branched tree laced with tiny mauve flowers.
“A lot of talk about natives being more drought-resistant is a load of hogwash,’’ he says There are a lot of hot and dry places all over the world. Once established, plants will adapt to the environment.
“Exotic trees are more drought-tolerant. When under stress, they go into hibernation and lose their foliage. Natives don’t go into hibernation and more of them die.’’
He also dislikes using mountains of mulch, preferring ground covering plants to supress weeds and retain soil moisture.
The figure-eight shaped garden is set next to a water feature, and a spiralling timber and stone structure designed by TLC.
The structure’s curving bench is under a deciduous tree that when mature, will shade in summer and let through light in winter.
Its use of seasonal blossoming trees means the garden is a constantly changing entity.
“Flowering plants will come back in because everyone’s garden has become as boring as bat s–t. They’re the same for 12 months of the year.’’
The brief was for a ‘‘Chelsea garden’’ not a traditional Australian garden, TLC design manager Darin Bradbury said.
Mr Bradbury, who grew up in Keysborough, remembers the site when it was market gardens. He said the natural materials take their cue from the surrounding environment.
Mr Fleming said he was certain the Reflections garden could have been a hit at Chelsea Flower Show, where he has scored multiple gold medals.
‘‘The worst we’ve done is the second-highest award. This garden would have done that at least.’’
