Mother-in-law is winning gardener's inspiration

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 535, 10 May 1994, Page 7

Mother-in-law is winning gardener's inspiration

The winner of the Raetihi Garden Club's best garden competition, Lynley Graham, credits her mother-in-law as the inspiration of her expansive Ruatiti Valley garden. Lynley's admiration of her mother-in-law 's garden prompted her to become more involved in gardening. "Initially I didn't like doing it", she confessed. Neil and Lynley Graham' s Ruatiti Valley farm property initially boasted a single massive silver dollar tree in their front yard. which also provided truck access to the stock yard and loading bay. Nine years later the fruits of Lynley's labours are very much in evidence. Gone is the silver dollar tree; in its place, established gardens harbouring small trees, shrubs and ground cover plants, with flowering plants dotted throughout to add colour and interest. A number of plants are cuttings from Neil's mother's garden. Whimsical additions to the garden include an old brass bed-stead, found in the Mangateitei Valley, and a rustic brick wishing well guarded by a garden gnome. Rose bushes and flowering plants hug the sheltered side

of the house making a vestibule of colour and perfume. Next to the driveway a small raised Maori Pataka is losing its battle against some grape vines that Lynley planted to soften the look of the building. A favourite corner of the garden is a naturally-occur-ring fern 'grotto' that Lynley chose to leave virtually untouched, save for the addition of a foot bridge spanning the creek. A tiny waterfall and natural 'basin' is the highlight of the spot. An adjacent paddock holds the beginnings of Lynley's latest addition to her garden. A digger was brought in to form a pond, while the adjoining stream was dug by hand. Planted in and around pieces of ancient farm equipment salvaged from neighbouring farms are several hundred daffodil bulbs. A handful of specimen trees and a manuka and punga bridge, constructed by her son at age 11, complete the English-style garden. A family-sized vegetable garden and orchard provides the Grahams with fruits that include apricots, cherries, kiwifruit, grapefruit, mandarins, peaches, grapes and apples, helped along by the Valley 's temperate climate. Members of the Raetihi Garden Clubjudged around 12 gardens, visiting each twice - once in spring and again in summer. Lawns, edges, design, colour and the vegetable garden were all areas in.spected and marked. Second place was awarded to Margot Webb's garden; third to Wagstaff s, and fourth to Catherine Brown.