In hardships, our once vibrant and lively garden transformed into a sanctuary offering comfort as my spouse battled illness.

A Colorful Oasis: Ann-Maree Winter's High-Octane Perennial Garden

Ann-Maree and Paul Winter, a couple from southern Australia, found a seven-acre haven on the Mornington Peninsula in 2015. What was once a sparsely planted and weed-infested property has transformed into a vibrant and captivating garden, serving as a sanctuary during challenging times.

The Winter's move to the property was partly driven by the desire for more space to garden. Initially, Ann-Maree felt intimidated by the property's harsh environment, but her love for gardening soon blossomed. She was inspired by local garden designers such as Jo Ferguson and Jac Semmler, renowned for their expertise in perennial gardening practices in the region.

Ann-Maree's approach to the garden is less a reaction to the place and more of a conversation with it. She groups warm and cool colors together in each area, creating a transition through the spectrum. Pops of color appear in one spot, drawing the eye onwards to another, creating a sense of musicality and movement in the garden.

The first summer was challenging, with the clay soil cracking and hot westerly winds ripping up the hill. However, Ann-Maree persevered, and today, the garden is a testament to her resilience. Visitors are greeted by a lawn with a sculptural cluster of three eucalyptus trees and a productive and picking garden. The garden's high-octane perennial section, a "colour bomb" and a "jewel box" according to Ann-Maree, is the jewel of the property.

The garden provided a place for Paul, who was diagnosed with lymphoma a few years after they purchased the property, to be during his treatments and offered him the ability to do things in the garden when he was not undergoing treatment. The garden became an oasis for both Ann-Maree and her husband during his treatment.

The Covid-19 lockdowns made Ann-Maree and her husband feel lucky to have the property. It nurtured them during a challenging time, providing a much-needed escape. In response to the lockdowns, Ann-Maree is experimenting with more native plants in the garden and plans to plant the paddocks beyond with endemic species, forming part of an important local vegetation and wildlife corridor.

A new 'subdued' garden area is also being planted with native and endemic species to create a strong connection with surrounding grassland and distant views. This area, along with the native plantings in the garden, aims to foster a sense of harmony with the natural environment.

Ann-Maree considers the color relationships of the entire garden space, not just within particular garden beds. This holistic approach ensures that the garden is a harmonious blend of colors, creating a visually appealing and soothing space for all who visit. The Winter's seven-acre property is a testament to the transformative power of gardening and the healing properties of nature.

In hardships, our once vibrant and lively garden transformed into a sanctuary offering comfort as my spouse battled illness.