Designed by Andrew Laidlaw (Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Landscape Architect) in 2009, the Summer Walk is a contemporary version of the original Bachelors Walk which was present in 1872.
The 13 separate and distinct garden beds within the Living Collection display a wide range of exotic and indigenous species that are well suited to a reduced water regime and can be replicated in the home garden.
The Summer Walk has been designed to demonstrate a range of exotic and indigenous species that are well suited to a changing climate and can be easily introduced to a home garden.
The species chosen within the palate of plants provides all round interest and have great amenity value.
Gardening for our Future
According to DELWP’s Regional Adaptation Snapshot 2018, Gippsland has been getting warmer and drier. In the future, we can expect temperature increases year round, more frequent and intense downpours, fewer frosts and less rainfall in winter, autumn and spring.
Some of the beds in the Summer Walk Collection are planted with species chosen to thrive in a changing climate. These beds are signed.
Gardens often account for 30-40% of our household water consumption, so selecting plants that are well-suited to the local growing conditions and use little water make sense. This can reduce the need for additional irrigation in our gardens, while still providing an attractive landscape.
These species have features that allow them to grow well in seasonally dry conditions. These features include smallish leaves (small surface area), often grey or silvery surface (to reduce water loss through transpiration), compact form (reduce penetration by the wind) and sometimes underground storage structures (to aid survival through harsh periods).
The species in the Summer Walk Collection have been curated to better cope with temperature increases and changed rainfall patterns. Some species in the garden beds include:
· Limonium perezii (also known as Sea Lavender, Statice, Caspia or Marsh Rosemary). A tough evergreen with dry, papery petals, native to the Canary Islands, off the coast of north-western Africa.
· Aloe vera. Well known for its healing properties, this succulent hails from the Arabian Peninsula, where conditions are extremely hot and dry.
· Kniphofia uvaria (Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily). A herbaceous perennial hailing from South Africa that produces showy, tropical-looking flower spikes.
· Hylotelephium spectabile (Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’). Succulent that produces pink broccoli-like flower heads that performs best in sand, gravelly or well-drained soils of moderate to low fertility. Native to Eurasia.
· Senecio mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks). A spreading succulent that thrives in the dry South African heat, and stores water in its pretty blue foliage.
· Agave attenuata (Foxtail agave). Abroad-leafed succulent native to the arid plateau of central west Mexico.
· Stachys byzantine (Lamb’s ear). A hardy, fast-spreading ground cover with soft hairs on the leaves and stems, which help prevent plant moisture loss. Native to parts of the Middle East.
· Santolina chamaecyparissus (Cotton Lavender). Known to repel rabbits and deer with its oregano-like aroma, this silvery hedging plant from the Mediterranean prefers well-drained, nutrient poor, gritty soil in full sun – perfect for rockeries.
While plant selection is one way to reduce water usage, it can also be minimised through clever planning, planting and maintenance.
Here are some suggestions:
· Select plants that are well matched to the local growing conditions;
· Group plants together that have similar water needs. This will simplify the process of meeting their needs;
· Improving the soil to improve water retention. If the soil is water-repellent or compacted, incorporate composted organic material to improve its characteristics;
· Apply free-draining mulch to garden beds. This will minimise water loss from the soil;
· Irrigate efficiently – make sure that any water applied is reaching the root zone of the plants; and
· Keep weeds under control. They use water and nutrients in competition with your garden plants.
