Isobel and Hans Hoegh-Guldberg may have drawn inspiration from an overseas gardening magazine when they began building Bilagal 12 years ago, but the result is a uniquely Australian native garden that blends into the landscape.
Even the rounded roof of their home blends with the rolling hills of the district and the garden merges with neighbouring old growth trees to form a corridor to attract native birds and animals.
Bilagal is one of three gardens in the Oberon district to be open to the public on the weekend November 8 and 9 as part of Australia’s Open Garden Scheme.
When Mrs Hoegh-Guldberg was searching for ideas for Bilagal, she came across a Danish garden magazine which gave her the idea of growing “islands of shrubs” surrounded by natural grasses.
“I thought it was a good way to go,” she said.
Bilagal features rounded garden beds that continue the theme of blending with the undulating countryside, notably Hogans Hill behind the property.
One of the first challenges the couple faced was to create the right drainage conditions because Australian native plants do not like “wet feet” and cannot survive if water pools around their bases.
They overcame this problem by raising their plants on mounds of sandy soil and mulch which allows water to drain away.
Frost is another challenge that restricts the range of natives suitable to the Oberon district.
But by careful selection, the couple have created a frost tolerant array of plants to handle the extremes of the local climate.
Today’s garden features mint bush, banksias, eriostemons, correas, bottle brush and gum trees.
“In September the only colour comes from wattles but there is a great variety of native flowers coming into bloom now,” says Mrs Hoegh-Guldberg.
“There are lots of pinks, and blues, whites and reds.”
Water restrictions have been a big issue in Oberon in recent years as the dam level continues to decline. “Literally, I don’t water plants once they are established,” says Mrs Hoegh-Guldberg .
“I water for weeks when they first go in the ground but once they are established I stop.”
Highlands which is more well known for exotic gardens. “I am used to plants such rhoododendrons, hyaciths,”she says. “We spent three years in Denmark a while back and when we came back I read a book about native gardens called “Bushgardens” and became very interested in native plants.”
Even so, Bilagal is not exclusively native and there are some lovely traditional plants in courtyard areas close to the home.
As you stroll through the garden the tall thick plantings prevent you seeing the entire area at once so you come across pockets or rooms of plantings that provide unexpected surprises.
The child and bird friendly garden comes with many areas where you can sit and relax and there is a deck which overlooks new native plantings and the surrounding countryside making you feel as though you have blended into the environment along with the garden.
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