Wattle Woods Tour

Wattles (Acacias) are huge, brittle Australian trees, and are some of the tallest on the property. The garden I created underneath them was sensibly called the Wattle Woods. Paths wind and wiggle through the dappled shade, edged with green foliage plants, with humble wooden seats to relax on.

The edge of the garden curves around the Pond Paddock, and has over the years become more and more shady. Camellias jostle here with Phorniums, while swathes of green foliage plants (mainly Renga Renga and the nuisance Creeping Charlie) cover the ground below. Mixed up with the ornamental shrubs are a host of delightful New Zealand native evergreens.

Winter storms can cause high branches to break off the Wattle trees, and from time to time a whole tree has to be felled. I'm worried that in time the Wattle Woods will, strictly speaking, have to lose its plural. You'd better visit now, while there's at least one Wattle tree to admire!

Introducing the Wattle WoodsIntroducing the Wattle Woods...
I created the Wattle Woods Garden on the edge of a sheep paddock, back in the day when it was grazed by the very first Moosey sheep. They were banished, and I started digging, adding loads and loads of compost and horse manure. And the gardens underneath the Wattle trees slowly expanded...
Wattle Woods ImagesWattle Woods Images...
The heart of the Wattle Woods lies in its trees, though, sadly, there are only five large Wattles left standing, while the tall Eucalyptus trees are growing even taller. Here are my most recent photographs of its interior...
Wattle Woods CamelliasWattle Woods Camellias...
All the Camellias in the Wattle Woods are planted in a gentle arc, starting from the back of the glass-house. They are all rejects, given a new lease of garden life at Mooseys. Can plants show gratitude? These particular shrubs seem to know how to!
Red MapleRed Maple...
I'm OK if trees are slow-growing in my garden - as long as they don't sulk. This beautiful red Maple was planted in the Wattle Woods a long time ago. But I've been good - I've remembered to water and feed it.
Rhododendron KapongaRhododendron Kaponga...
One of my very early shrub plantings is still going strong, over twenty years later. This, sadly, has not always been the case in the Wattle Woods! It's the bright red early flowering rhododendron Kaponga, a New Zealand variety.
River PumpsRiver Pumps...
Using the force of the flowing water in the irrigation race, two bright orange river pumps used to swish water down a wriggling stream in the Wattle Woods. They provided enough (when they were both going) to keep the sweetest little pond at the bottom of the slope completely filled.
Changes in the Wattle WoodsChanges in the Wattle Woods...
Naturally the Wattle Woods have changed over time. Paths have been moved, shrubs have been removed, and so on. But the trees themselves have provided the most drama. And lots of winter firewood for the house...
Wattle Woods Garden PathsWattle Woods Garden Paths...
The Wattle Woods is a large garden, and needs quite an extensive network of paths. The main path weaves underneath the large wattle and gum trees, through waves of Renga Renga (Rocklilies) and Japanese Iris.
Wattle Trees - Early DaysWattle Trees - Early Days...
The Wattle Woods Garden was named after ten large Wattle, or Acacia, trees - fast growing Australian natives which have bright yellow flowers from early winter on. These trees had been interplanted with Eucalypts along the fence-line of our property.
Wattle Trees - Flowers and Seed PodsWattle Trees - Flowers and Seed Pods...
The Australian Wattle trees (or Acacias) near the fence-line flower right in the middle of winter, with cheery yellow flowers. My goodness, they look stunning - especially to a colour-starved gardener. And later on they produce artistic seed-pods.
Rugosa Roses in the Wattle WoodsRugosa Roses in the Wattle Woods...
My first 'collection' of rugosa roses was planted early in the creation of the Wattle Woods gardens, just down the slope from the Glass-House. A small path wiggles through, and there's a rickety archway to keep the roses from falling over.
Hellebore GardenHellebore Garden...
At the top of the Wattle Woods I have a shaded garden where I grow lots of Hellebores. Their flower colours are creams and dull pinky-reds. They make a beautiful mass display in winter.
Waterwheel and StreamWaterwheel and Stream...
A home-made waterwheel used to lift water from the water race to form a small stream, which then wriggled and jiggled its way down the back of the Wattle Woods. I loved the soft, sloshy noises the waterwheel made - and, of course, the running water.
My Glass-HouseMy Glass-House...
My glass-house is situated on the back lawn near the Wattle Woods, almost underneath the trees. The burbling water race is nearby.
Wattle Woods Flaxes (Phormiums)Wattle Woods Flaxes (Phormiums)...
My garden always has room for New Zealand flaxes (Phormiums), and the Wattle Woods has been no exception. These brilliant foliage plants have always played an important part in the style of the Moosey garden. And it's heart-warming to be able to enjoy so much greenery in winter.
Glass-House GardenGlass-House Garden...
In the winter of 2006 I had a brilliant garden idea. The Glass-House would be much happier with a proper garden embracing it. It would be flowery and colourful, and feel connected to the water race nearby. What a caring, thoughtful Head Gardener!
Behind the GlasshouseBehind the Glasshouse...
In the winter months my glasshouse gets lots of sun, and I've set up some shelving behind it for my hardy nursery plants (and for sun-seeking cats). Later in spring, trays of seedlings will come out here to harden off...
Head Gardener in the Glass-HouseHead Gardener in the Glass-House...
The glass-house is a peaceful place for a gardener. I can't hear the phone, but my cats can still find me.
Glass-House Garden BenchesGlass-House Garden Benches...
Two rather oddly sized garden benches sit on the edge of the lawn either side of the Moosey glass-house. They are perfect for placing garden tools, gardening gloves, etc. on - and, of course, for a gentle rest in the shade. But...
Wintering OverWintering Over...
The glass-house in winter is always full of half hardy plants wintering over. The Moosey winter garden gets chilly, frosty mornings, and pelargoniums and daisies in particular wouldn't always survive.
Iris confusaIris confusa...
Iris confusa, also called the Bamboo iris, is a foliage plant that I use everywhere. I can transplant it at any time of year, and within weeks it will be established. My Iris confusa has bright bluish white flowers in spring.
Wattle Woods ShrubsWattle Woods Shrubs...
There have always been leafy shrubs along the edge of the Wattle Woods - first Escallonias, planted in the early days, then Hydrangeas, and lately some of my newer Camellias. In the interior the original big shrub roses I planted are still growing strong
Glass-House Garden RosesGlass-House Garden Roses...
When newly dug the Glass-House Garden was so sunny and sheltered, perfect for roses. Hee hee - this was a temptation I just couldn't resist.
Wattle Woods Garden BenchWattle Woods Garden Bench...
At the back end of the glass-house is a garden bench made from a railway sleeper and two columns of bricks. It faces the water race, and the garden behind is full of Camellias. This is a delightful place to sit in all seasons.
Wattle Woods Early Plantings 2Wattle Woods Early Plantings 2...
The winter of 2006 marked a huge change for the Wattle Woods Garden. Most of the huge Wattle trees were destroyed by a particularly wet snow storm. Suddenly there was sunshine, light, and more garden space for the Rhododendrons and Camellias to enjoy.
Wattle Tree DamageWattle Tree Damage...
One wintry week in July 2006 we experienced a different type of snow storm. Wet, heavy snow in the evergreen trees caused much damage. Crack! Crack! The Wattle Woods were falling down!
Dog in the Wattle WoodsDog in the Wattle Woods...
Rusty the dog loves zooming through the network of paths in the Wattle Woods. He's well behaved, though, and never cuts the corners - even when he's chasing a bumble bee or a bird.
Wrong Place for RhododendronsWrong Place for Rhododendrons...
This extension to the upper Wattle Woods Garden was one of my biggest garden mistakes. Rhododendrons will not grow under Wattles, and since this archive photograph was taken the poor suffering plants have been shifted twice to try out new homes.
Flowers behind the Glass-HouseFlowers behind the Glass-House...
Years ago some red dahlias were dumped in-between the potting tables behind the Moosey Glass-House. They decided they liked it here. No problem! I did mean to plant them back in the garden, but... Then a soft orange dahlia appeared, from nowhere. And then a hollyhock, brilliantly pink.
Shady Garden BenchShady Garden Bench...
The Wattle Woods garden bench, deep in the shade of the Wattle trees, is a place for calm meditation. It's surrounded by mass plantings of Renga Renga and Japanese Iris. Overhead the huge trees give welcome shade in summer.
Iris Leaf Insect Close-UpIris Leaf Insect Close-Up...
Here is another insect photograph of an unknown bug sitting on a green Iris confusa leaf. My photographer son insists on spending time and money stalking these wee critters.
Gardening Coffee CupGardening Coffee Cup...
It's one of my new blue and white gardening coffee cups, and it's gone cold. I often bring a drink out to the glass-house and then forget to drink it.
Wattle Woods Early Plantings 1Wattle Woods Early Plantings 1...
Like other areas in my garden, my initial plantings in the Wattle Woods became less and less suitable, as the trees I'd planted in the lawns and borders grew. The edges of the Wattle Woods were initially quite sunny, and I successfully grew irises and roses therein. Alas, the increasing shade from spring on began to affect things. Plants started sulking and losing their oomph.
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