• Access via Malone Street (a cul-de-sac)

• Parking along Malone Street, but not in cul-de-sac itself unless accessibility issues

• Entrance to garden at end of Malone Street through double gates

David and Jenny Sutherland’s large cottage style garden is a peaceful oasis not far from the main street of Braidwood. A lovely garden for strolling and discovery. Here is the story of their garden in David’s words…

“Like so many Braidwood gardens ours was no more than a stock yard and grazing area a few decades ago. Belinda McKay and Kay McCarron planted a variety of trees close to the house and began a cottage style garden. We moved in five years ago and began much of the present planting then. We were lucky to have good drainage, fair top soil, a large area  andtree protection. Water levels come fairly close to the surface so the bigger trees have survived over the recent drought times but continuing heavy wood chip mulching and a drip irrigation system are also needed.

The aim was to provide both a relaxing area and interesting garden. Plant choices were limited to very easy maintenance with minimal water needs with now much greater tolerance to weather extremes.  There has been the ever interesting challenge of finding the balance and mix of native and exotic. The garden also had to provide a year round supply of cut flowers for our work place. The colour theme of grey and white dominates and links the different areas with  succulents now a much more common choice.

We have added decorative features with an ‘Eastern Garden’ at the Malone Street entrance moving into a ‘Western Garden’ closer to the house. The addition of water sources with fountains and bird baths and appropriate bush and plant choice has attracted an increasing number and variety of birds – magpies, cockatoos, parrots, rosellas, finches and doves – and a variety of lizards and frogs.

Mid October sees the slowing of the early Spring bulbs and other blossoms including wattles and beginning of the iris, camellia, wisteria and roses. Hopefully we will see enough sun (and less rain) in the next few weeks to encourage more flowering. We do hope you enjoy your time here in our garden.  The challenges of the last few years has highlighted the roles gardens can have in our lives.”