A Garden to Truly Admire

Last Sunday, The Cactus and Succulent Society of WA spent the day at a really remarkable garden on the outskirts of Perth.
The owners have been working hard on the property for over 20 years and have based the gardens around their enthusiastic love of succulents and cacti. There was an amazing range of Aloes and Agaves and hundreds of other succulents that have been collected over the years. Several trips to Africa have no doubt influenced some of the collection. There was also an amazing variety of palms and cycads. Rock retaining walls ramble throughout, and the sandy ground only help the succulents thrive in their desert like environment.

The recent harsh frosts that have hit the Perth area recently have affected almost everyone in the metropolitan area, and this garden was no exception. It was reported that the areas ground temperature reached a minimum of -8 C, and some species had unfortunately suffered. One Crassula ovata (pictured) was very savagely burnt from the frost. An advanced specimen of Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta’ (pictured) also took a rather severe beating. The good news though is that there is no reason why these plants shouldn’t make a full recovery, in time. The terminal shoot of the Furcraea was still in tact, and the frost damage on the Crassula, although severe, won’t stop it from reshooting when the weather improves. It just goes to show the amazing resilience of these species and their ability to adapt to their environmental conditions.

Frost damage on a Crassula ovata and a Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta’.

There were newly established areas in their garden, signifying that the owner’s enthusiasm is still thriving and bound to continue for many years to come. In these new areas, combinations of Golden Barrel Cacti, Pachypodium and other species, as well as large limestone boulders offered an amazing architectural display, even if relatively new. Once this area has had time to establish, it will truly become a wonderful masterpiece to be admired and respected.

This property supplied charm and interest, and is a real collector’s paradise.
The owner’s should be very proud and no doubt, in the future will keep with the theme and enhance it with further gardens to make it a real botanical splendour.
If you would like to become a part of The Cactus and Succulent Society of WA and visit glorious gardens such as this one, you can contact the society on (08) 9277 3924.