Welcome to our enchanted garden oasis, where whimsy awaits at every turn! Meander through intimate “garden rooms” nestled among weathered stone walls, each a tiny sanctuary where time slows. Our lovingly tended vegetable garden, embraced by handcrafted dry stone walls, brims with promising green shoots while cheerful chooks strut and peck, adding gentle clucks to the garden’s symphony.

Every nook reveals a delightful surprise. This is cottage core at its finest—a tapestry of practical beauty and sustainable living where nature and nurture harmonize perfectly.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

We have lived at Reid cottage for over 30 years. We have always had a small well kept garden but a real passion to make some changes came about around 10 years ago.  We paved our small backyard and created a courtyard at both rear and side of our home.  A big percentage of our garden consists of plants in pots.  We have some quirky fountains created by Ian.  We love our garden and hope visitors to it enjoy it as well.

Set on a suburban street, the garden is inspired by a Japanese theme with a number of Acers and Japanese statues. The garden has been a work in progress over the past nine years. The back garden has an eclectic mix of shrubs and small trees, some in large pots. There are a number of small ponds containing water lilies and the sound of running water. Further towards the back of the garden is the edible section of herbs, dwarf fruit trees, a vegie garden and greenhouse, and a number of spots to just sit and relax or enjoy a meal for one or a crowd.

Our garden does not follow any particular style. We decided that we would plant what we liked, therefore our garden is special to us for this reason. You will find established trees that are underplanted with hedges, plants grown from cuttings from our late parents’ gardens, water features and arches. A magnificent palm is the centrepiece of the garden in the front yard (a beautiful feature during the Christmas season when lights are placed on the fronds). The swimming pool is surrounded escallonia and pittosporum hedges, palm trees, ferns and a variety of grasses. We have a variety of potted succulents and clusters of helebores planted in shady areas.

After 33 years creating a large garden Ted & myself agreed we needed to downsize before the garden & property started to suffer .

Having made our decision on our current home in Raglan , we got to work creating a garden not quite so large .

The yard was very neglected & overgrown weeds & a few old fruit trees which clearly needed to go, so basically, we started from a blank canvas again. Ted has done a few welded structures & I have done some more glass work & we have planted lots.