MEGAN HAGGAN visits an incredible garden in Red Hill.
IT’S hard to believe, as I look around Rosalind and Benjamin Walcott’s Red Hill garden, that it’s only five years old.
The Walcotts, who participate in Australia’s Open Garden Scheme, purchased the property – first developed in 1926 and used as the French government’s chancery for many years – in 2001, and planting began in 2003.
There’s a strong focus on the natural rather than the formal, with a meadow of grasses, forbs and lilies in place of lawns, and an emphasis on Australian native plant varieties.
The ponds and waterfall are highlights, with a creek running from the middle to the lower pond. The ponds are full of wildlife: They’re home to ducks, which use the waterfall as a refuge from foxes; frogs and a long-necked turtle.
The garden has already attracted more than 70 species of birds, and the Walcotts hope to attract more as the garden matures. The visitors so far have included a cormorant, egrets and herons, as well as hobbies (small falcons) that have produced fledglings.
As well as a multitude of Australian plants, some of which are now coming into flower, the garden features pines planted in the early 1930s.
The Walcotts have opened their garden to the public previously, and were delighted by the response.

Australia’s Open Garden Scheme is a self-funding, not-for-profit organisation which aims to promote the knowledge and pleasure of gardening.
The Walcotts will donate funds raised to the Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
The Wallcott garden, at 10 Wickham Crescent, Red Hill, will be open to the public on Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30 from 10am to 4.30pm. For more information, go to http://www.opengarden.org.au.