SPRING!!!

A pinch and a punch for the first of the month... and it's SPRING!!!

Here's something to look forward to in our gardens this month... not to mention the defrosting of the landscape and a return to leaves on the trees.

Enjoy! love Nina xxx

something else for the garden

From the Reject Shop! Noice!

Water saving lawn: installed

Something to improve the environs at Casa Ribena arrived last week, and I'm please to say it's completely water saving and eco friendly.
I have mentioned my gardening 'black thumb of death' before (my garden exists by the graces of mother nature - bless), and though I'd like to say I'm seriously on the improve, I need to admit that a patch of immaculate grass is way beyond my commitment level in the garden. And with two little boys who adore the outdoors and have waited patiently for a soccer pitch - what's a girl to do?

Enter Eco-Lush and a patch of premium synthetic turf which will not EVER require watering, mowing, edging, fertilizing or weeding! Incredibly it's look and feel is quite convincing, if only being given away by it's perfection amongst the rubble!

the boys from Eco-Lush...

turned this... into this

The base is compacted crushed dust and the recycled rubber-backed turf is topped with fine sand and "tyre crumb" (from recycled tyres!) for cushioning. It has so far passed the "rolly-polly kids" test and the "husband lying in the shade" test, but thankfully not the "doggy ablutions" test - yet!
Anyone who wants to try out the soccer pitch is very welcome, I'll be under the pagoda with a cocktail ;-) Lovely!

Nature's Beauty: Botanical Gardens

It's a spectacular time at the Botanical Gardens right now with Warratahs and Grevillias in their best display. The Water Dragons are all out of hybernation and are out in force, we spotted about 30 of them in the Tassie garden rockeries including sparring males and new babies lovely. Here are my snaps taken this morning...

Beautiful! Happy weekend everyone, love Nina x

Japanese Cherry: Arboretum plantings

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope and His Excellency, Mr Takaaki Kojima, Ambassador of Japan today planted the first Yoshino Cherry tree at the Canberra International Arboretum and Gardens.

"Today, we embark upon the planting of a grove of 320 Yoshino Cherry trees, to mark the 15th anniversary of our sister-city relationship with Nara, the ancient capital of Japan," Mr Stanhope said. "This is a significant milestone in the development of the Arboretum and symbolises the close relationship Australia shares with Japan." The iconic Yoshino Cherry is probably the most popular cherry tree in Japan and is most readily associated with the hanami cherry blossom viewing.

The Yoshino, a deciduous tree with an impressive spring show, can reach up to nine metres when mature. It has delicate almond-scented blossoms in white or pale pink which open well before the leaves. The summer foliage of young leaves is bright green, with hues deepening with the changing autumn weather to a palette of orange-scarlet, and yellow.

"The Canberra International Arboretum and Gardens will be a unique and lasting legacy for Canberra and the Australian community. " The Canberra International Arboretum and Gardens will feature rare and endangered trees from around Australia and the world, as well as a mosaic of permanent gardens.

Signs of life

Sow What?: Styling in the garden

Tucked into the back of uber cool store Don't Tell Phyliss is this tiny boutique plant nursery and home to Sow What urban landscape design practice. Soon to undergo a major restructure, Sow What products will soon be intergrated throughout Unit Concepts (Braddon) and Don't tell Phyliss (Kingston) giving owner and principal designer Melanie Neist more time to do what she loves best... designing hot courtyards, baclonies and living interior and exteriorscapes for Canberra's homes and commercial spaces.

Plants stocked are "different to the run-of-the-mill offerings" says Mel of her sculptural and often striking forms. With quirky touches like plants in delicate teacups and in the coolest hanging bird feeder, anything goes.

So what are the garden trends in Canberra right now? "Gardens are getting smaller so we find ourselves specialising in small gardens: balconies and courtyards for the most part. And clients want double duty from their gardens, so we are designing alot of edible gardens, with herbs and dwarf fruit trees which are fantastic for smaller spaces."

And on the drawing board right now are designs for 2 exhibition gardens for Gardening Australia's exhibit at the My Place Expo, currently traveling the country, the expo will be in Canberra April 5 and 6.

Look out for some new high end show-stopping products for your garden toward the end of the year, but for now Sow What are having a moving sale... don't tell Phyliss ;-)

Ninaribena: in the Garden

Those who know me or have ever visited Casa Ribena will know only too well that I have a gardening BLACK thumb of death, but I must admit that I have recently been having way to much fun getting my hands dirty and ordering builder men around my yard to replace the rubble and have some landscaping done.

Expanses of pebble have replaced lawn (er weeds), but slices of lush garden and timber boardwalks add visual interest.
A series of decks have improved access to useful parts of the yard and will help divide the chillout zone from the future soccer pitch!

And be rest assured that all plants in my garden shall thrive on total neglect!

Hmmm happy summers day under the 'pagoda' pass me my cocktail Jeeves...

More Broadhurst Love: in the Garden

Oh the love for a gnome...

From a reader this evening: "...after reading your post about Florence Broadhurst I felt compelled to tell you about the gnome I painted for Floriade last year, which is based on her 'Japanese floral' design. All it took was a little paint and (admittedly a few hours of) time to create the most stylish item in my Narrabundah garden!"

That is too cute!!! Well done Tamara, you've done Florence proud!

Check out the other amazing crafty things Tamara gets up to on her Flickr set.