Septic Tank Garden Tour

For a garden with such a 'down-to-earth' name the Septic Tank Garden certainly is pretty! Ornamental shrubs, herbs and Lavenders, and roses (naturally) live in the house-side of this garden.

Over the fence on the shady side, you'll meet hostas, hostas, and more hostas - all recycled, from a friend cleaning out her garden. Lucky me! Rhododendrons and small Japanese Maples make the prettiest picture in late spring, when the nearby flowering cherries in the lawn put on a fluffy show.

Self-seeding annuals (like Honesty) are always welcome in the Septic Tank Garden, on either side of the fence. And there's always something flowery for the buzzing bees to enjoy. I hope that, like those busy bees, you'll also find something to enjoy.

Introducing the Septic Tank GardenIntroducing the Septic Tank Garden...
A garden border was already dug around the septic tank on the east side of the house when I arrived in 1994. The obligatory set of shrubs were proudly in residence - one Camellia, one Ceanothus, one Weigela, one Azalea, one Philadelphus, one Hydrangea, one Deutzia... One of each, and no more.
Septic Tank Garden ImagesSeptic Tank Garden Images...
The Septic Tank Garden occupies quite a small area. One side looks over the Pond Paddock, while the other faces the house - the fence in between them is gradually coming to pieces. Here are my most recent images of its plants and flowers. Sadly, there are not many roses in this garden...
Weeping Maidens?Weeping Maidens?...
One day in 2021 there were almost two Weeping Maidens in the Septic Tank Garden. One was a very early flowering camellia, oh so pretty. The other was me, not so pretty, taking photographs of it...
Lily of the ValleyLily of the Valley...
I forget who gave me my first Lily of the Valley plant. I knew about its perfume, but not its tendency to spread - and spread - and then spread some more. Oops!
Stone Path and StepsStone Path and Steps...
Rounded river stones occur naturally in many parts of our property. So it's natural to use them in creating walls, paths and steps. The laundry stone path and steps were already here, as was the Hydrangea on the left, when we arrived. Ferns line the path up to the Laundry seat and on to the washing line.
Garden BenchGarden Bench...
The Septic Tank Garden has two sides, with an old sheep fence running through the middle. On the side nearest the pond I've put one of my new garden benches. There's even a tiny path to lead you there from the Laundry steps.
Non-Gardening CatNon-Gardening Cat...
Tiger the cat does not do gardening. But just occasionally she'll venture out into the Septic Tank Garden to provide some lightweight cat-company.
First Camellia to FlowerFirst Camellia to Flower...
Gardeners are allowed to make a fuss over the first Camellia to flower in their gardens. My first Camellia is in the Septic Tank Garden - it's pale baby pink, really beautiful, and turns up in late winter.
Yellow Hypericum FlowersYellow Hypericum Flowers...
Between the rose arches in mid-summer the shrub Hypericum steals the limelight with its bright glowing yellow flowers. This is a much loved easy-care shrub in my garden...
FernsFerns...
Ferns have decided that the small garden area near the Laundry is their destined spot. They line the paths and stone steps, and pop up in the middle of the garden. And I love them dearly!
Laundry SeatLaundry Seat...
The Laundry Seat is a basic wooden set of planks, nestled into the Laundry Garden. Surrounded by Lavenders and herbs this is a rather 'buzzy' place to be! And very fragrant...
More HostasMore Hostas...
In 2005 I overheard a friend talking about the hostas she was digging out. 'Yes please' I said, and came home with a whole car-load! I decided to plant them together in the shady side of the Septic Tank Border.
Maple TreesMaple Trees...
One of the best things I've done (or tried to do) as a gardener is to introduce small ornamental Maples into my garden. Three have been planted in the Septic Tank Garden, and at the time of writing two are still growing well...
Lavender, Daphne, & Orange BlossomLavender, Daphne, & Orange Blossom...
All of the shrubs in the side garden by the laundry are original plantings, and I haven't really thought to change anything. They include Lavenders, a deciduous Azalea, a Philadelphus (or Orange Blossom), and two Daphnes. The aromatic shrubs are a delight for my bumble bees.
Raspberry DaylilyRaspberry Daylily...
One of my original plantings in the Septic Tank garden which has survived and thrived is a chunky clump of daylilies with medium-sized raspberry coloured flowers.
Pink RhododendronPink Rhododendron...
This is one of the first rhododendrons I planted in the garden. This shrub grew quietly at first, minding its own business. But fairly soon it would cover itself in spectacular late spring pinkness. Such a pretty colour!
Phyllis Bide RosePhyllis Bide Rose...
The top rose arch has two Phyllis Bide roses growing either side. After a slow start they are finally fluffing themselves out and reaching together, as all well behaved roses on archways should.
Heuchera & AsteliaHeuchera & Astelia...
I love this combination of the perennial Heuchera and the New Zealand native Astelia. Their colours are subtle, like tarnished silver or pewter.
Meet Constance Spry...Meet Constance Spry......
Roses, roses, roses - climbing over archways, growing sedately surrounded by ferns. This was my original vision for the Septic Tank Garden in all its summer glory. My best success is one of the earliest plantings - David Austin's Constance Spry.
On the Shady SideOn the Shady Side...
The shady side of the Septic Tank Border backs onto a fence, and contains a great mixture of plants. One beautiful rhododendron shows off in late spring, followed by a variegated Philadelphus and foliage perennials. Clumps of Mondo grass and Bergenias line the edge.
Scrophularia & FungiScrophularia & Fungi...
'Still life' in the Septic Tank Garden - a composition of fungi, gnarly old tree stump, and new variegated scrophularia leaf, tastefully recorded by an artistic son.
Early Rose PlantingsEarly Rose Plantings...
The two archways along the house-side of the Septic Tank Garden look like they were always meant to be here. The garden with its narrow dividing grass path is the perfect shape to be 'archwayed'. But my early garden photographs can be deceptive...
Jerome the CatJerome the Cat...
Jerome the cat is sitting by the pots on the septic tank cover, thinking about cat things!
Hydrangea FlowerHydrangea Flower...
On the way to the washing line from the back door you'll pass through the Laundry Garden. A blue hydrangea was well established here in this dry spot when I first came to Mooseys. Plants, like gardeners, have to be tough in the country...
Gardening WriterGardening Writer...
The laundry seat is sheltered and gets the morning sun. I can sit here with a cup of tea and pretend that nobody can find me. Trouble is that it's between the laundry and the washing line.
BanksiaBanksia...
As you walk towards the washing line you'll pass this oldish Banksia with its corn cob-like husks. This plant is an Australian toughie.
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