Owners: Marjorie and Randall Lemin

When Marjorie and Randall Lemin set about designing the pergola that forms the structural centrepiece of their garden, they took a cue from celebrated landscape architect Edna Walling.

Walling, a trailblazer in Australian garden design, moved here from the UK in 1899 and pioneered the use of native plants to create sustainable gardens. Her credo when it came to garden structures was go big or go home.

Fans of Walling’s designs, the Lemins took her advice and constructed a 25-metre-long curved arbour that sweeps in a wide arc so that its destination remains a mystery, enticing the viewer to explore.

Climbing roses and wisteria snake up the substantial posts and in a hidden nook along its path stands a Chinese warrior statue, a nod to the Chinese who worked the diggings in this part of the world when gold fever struck in the 1850s.

The pergola is one of the pair’s favourite spots in the garden.

“The walk from the pergola and down the winding bush path is a highlight,” Randall says, “and interestingly kids tend to gravitate to that area when playing.”

After retiring from their busy Canberra veterinary practice, the couple purchased the 1.5-acre block in 2004 and rented nearby while they nutted out the house and garden design.

Starting with an empty block, the key elements under consideration were to provide wind protection as well as to maximise sunshine and drainage. After those factors were addressed, the outside and inside viewpoints became more critical in the design process.

Next came a vegetable garden, hedges, and the addition of gently meandering granite walls, paths and edges constructed from local area stone.

The big trees went in (horse chestnut, copper beech, cedar, casuarina, crab apples, London plane), followed by smaller species including roses, camellias, viburnum and flowering quince. Near the house, New Zealand flax and ‘Lady O’ grevilleas provide a magnet for small birds. Dahlias, daffodils, lavender, tulips and hydrangeas provide added pockets of colour.

Their biggest challenge – apart from bower birds, rabbits, kangaroos and wombats – has been the three years of La Nina and the loss of key plants to wet feet. Casualties included elaeagnus hedge plants, lemon verbena, lilac, buddleja and large gully (Barklyana) grevilleas.

Despite this, the rewards far outweigh any heartbreak. “We didn’t want a fussy cottage-style garden and so have used trees and shrubs to give contrast in shape and colour all year round,” Marjorie says. “Areas for annuals add extra spring/summer interest.”

She says there’s a real sense of satisfaction when the couple has “time to sit and enjoy some quiet time, not only in the garden itself but from viewpoints within the house during the changing seasons”.

Things to look out for:

* Satin bowerbird collection of blue objects.

* The giant “snail” hedge.

* Mosaics made with pieces of pottery found on the property.

Photos: Marjorie and Randall Lemin