In hardship, our once vibrant and joyful garden transformed into a tranquil sanctuary, providing comfort and care during my ailing husband's illness.

Ann-Maree Winter's Vibrant Garden: A Sanctuary of Abundance and Joy

Ann-Maree Winter's seven-acre property on the Mornington Peninsula in southern Australia is a riot of colour and a testament to the power of nature in challenging times.

In 2015, Ann-Maree and her husband Paul moved from a 450 square metre suburban plot to this expansive property. The initial garden was sparsely planted with native plants strangled by weed mat, but Ann-Maree saw it as a blank canvas for her artistic vision.

Ann-Maree approaches colour in the garden with a sense of musicality and movement, grouping warm and cool colours together in each area. Her high-octane perennial garden is the jewel of the property, a "colour bomb" and "jewel box" that delights the senses. Colours move in waves within the garden space, creating a musical effect accentuated by the play of light.

The first summer after moving was very dry, with the clay soil cracking and hot westerly winds. Ann-Maree's response was to begin planting a windbreak and making an "inner sanctum of over-the-topness". This area, now known as the perennial garden, is a riot of colour and texture, a haven of joy where Ann-Maree often laughs while experimenting with plant combinations.

The garden provided a space for Paul to be during his treatment for lymphoma a few years after they purchased the property. The garden became an oasis for both of them, allowing Paul to participate in gardening activities in between treatments.

Now, around one and a half of the seven acres are gardened. Ann-Maree's current approach to the garden is less a reaction to the place and more of a conversation with it, as she experiments with more native plants and plans to plant endemic species in the paddocks to contribute to a local vegetation and wildlife corridor.

The garden's colour relationships are considered not just within particular garden beds but across the entire garden space. A new 'subdued' garden area is being planted with native and endemic species, providing a contrast to the vibrant perennial garden.

During the Covid-19 lockdowns, the garden became an even more valuable sanctuary for Ann-Maree and her husband. The property is entered by a lawn and a productive and picking garden, offering a tranquil space for reflection and relaxation.

Ann-Maree was inspired by local garden designers such as Jo Ferguson and Jac Semmler, and her garden serves as a testament to their influence. Ann-Maree describes the garden as a place of abundance and joy, serving as an oasis during challenging times.

In hardship, our once vibrant and joyful garden transformed into a tranquil sanctuary, providing comfort and care during my ailing husband's illness.