Former footy legend and TV star Dennis Scott on how to get the party started
One-time league star and now co-host of Foxtel’s Selling Houses Australia, Dennis Scott shares his top tips for hosting the perfect backyard barbecue.
Lifestyle
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Dennis Scott, former pro footy player and now co-host of Foxtel’s Selling Houses Australia, is sounding wistful as he discusses his love for ‘Betty’. Betty, by the way, is not his wife. She’s not his daughter either.
Betty is actually a Queensland Bottle Tree and Dennis is not embarrassed to say he adores her. “I planted her myself,” he says proudly.
Almost 20 years ago, Dennis was landscaping his new home in the Brisbane suburb of Ashgrove and was searching for a Bottle Tree to take pride of place in his front yard. He was about to shell out a whopping $5000 to buy a similar tree, when he stumbled across Betty on the selling site Gumtree. Betty, a mature Bottle Tree, was flourishing where she was, but a new fence was being erected and she was directly in its path. Accordingly she was being advertised as free to anyone who could dig her up and take her away. Dennis jumped at the chance, transported Betty to his front yard and lovingly replanted her there. She’s now the hero piece of the garden.
“Everyone loves Betty,” declares Dennis happily. Once Betty was planted Magnolias were added along the borders of the property and under those, Dennis dug in Philodendron Xanadu. Even novice gardeners will recognise these names — they’re popular throughout Australia for their waxy flowers and glossy leaves and are found in gardens everywhere. Dennis loves the way they look and the fact they’re relatively easy to care for. But there’s another reason he opted for these particular plants and that is that they encourage people to enter the garden and more importantly, to stay awhile.
garden with benefits
Dennis may be a relative newcomer to the small screen, but he’s well known in Australia, particularly throughout sporting communities having played first grade in the National Rugby League for an impressive 14 years. What is less known is that between seasons Dennis discovered a love of working with his hands and gained a carpentry qualification. He also gained a formal landscape design certification.
He loved working with plants, but he missed the social side of playing footy. Joining SHA helped. Suddenly Dennis had two best mates in co-hosts property expert Andrew Winter and interiors guru Wendy Moore, plus a cast and crew to work and spend time with. But when the series wasn’t filming Dennis again felt the pang of solitude.
It was during these periods that he was delighted he’d had the forethought to plan, plant and grow a garden that not only encouraged friends, but neighbours and even the occasional stranger to drop by.
Cue ‘Betty’, the Magnolias, the Philodendron and more. You see, Dennis planted everything to be inviting not only for his immediate family, but anyone else who fancied a visit. “You have to give people a reason to drop in and then stay,” says Dennis, of his design and botanical choices. “Whatever you plant it needs to feel welcoming ... that means it should be soft,” he says. “People need to feel as it they can pass through the garden. Soft foliage is always attractive whereas cactus or plants that have spiky leaves and a contemporary feel will create a less welcoming vibe.”
Dennis, a legendary entertainer in his local neighbourhood, suggests you also provide your guests with designated areas to gather. These should include seating or at the very least, a railing on which to lean.
“A paved area is great,” he says. “A general seating space, a firepit or a barbecue is a great place to gather too. Everyone can enjoy a beer and a chat and one another’s company. A soft lawn is perfect for kids to run around also.”
take the pressure down
Another benefit of a friendly garden? It will keep folk out of your house meaning less cleaning up (hurrah) and that your guests get the mental and physical health benefits of hours spent in green space. Those benefits are distinct by the way. Researchers at Princeton University have found that gardening at home has a similar effect on emotional well-being (or happiness) as biking, walking or dining out. And it costs less, another bonus.
“A great garden encourages the entire neighbourhood to get together, which I love,” says Dennis. “There’s nothing better than getting together with people you love and in a green space.”
And for those who want nothing more than to keep neighbours out ...
Can gardens reduce noise?
Absolutely. The best result come via hedges. Screening plants such as Syzygiums, Murrayas and Camellias are perfect. For quick results, buy mature trees and plant close together.
What about kids and small animals?
Obviously a fence is needed but hedging will add security. You can create borders and define boundaries using grasses, lower hedges or tropical species such as Philodendron Xanadu. Planted closely these will guide both pets and little ones in the right way.
What to grow to block a road view?
Camellias are a brilliant option. They come in many varieties, sizes and colours too. The denser you plant something the more it will block out the street view and the noise too.
Will a garden ease pollution?
Plants can absorb pollution and they improve air quality. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen via photosynthesis. It is important though to help your plants thrive. Hosing them down regularly will wash off excess dust allowing the plant to breathe. Love your plants and you’ll be rewarded with bright flowers and rich glossy growth.
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