Classic garden well worth a visit in Kensington Park, Adelaide

Under the sheltering canopies of established trees and tucked behind an old stone wall, the garden of this 1900 villa is a peaceful haven.

The Running House Garden, Kensington Park, SA. Picture: Open Gardens South Australia

Under the sheltering canopies of established trees and tucked behind an old stone wall, the garden of this 1900 villa is a peaceful haven in Adelaide’s Kensington Park. The design of hedges and clipped plants, contrasting with lushly planted garden beds and spacious lawns, was guided by garden designer Virginia Kennett after a major renovation to the home that restored its original features and seamlessly linked to a modern extension.

The 1500sqm property has distinct garden “rooms”, some classic in style with lovely old roses and perennials, and others more contemporary. The garden has several spaces for entertaining, a pool, chicken coop and play areas including a slide through a hedge, a concealed sports/play area and a delightful swing in the front garden. In a small sheltered courtyard, the delicate foliage of Japanese maples provides a leafy outlook from within the house. Several pieces of the owners’ large-scale sculpture collection are displayed in what was formerly a driveway.

The Running House is open October 14-15; proceeds go to Cystic Fibrosis SA. opengardensa.org.au

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Tall timber

A fastigiate tree has erect, almost parallel branches, so it’s tall and narrow, like a spire. This shape is ideal for tight spaces such as the side of the house, along a driveway or flanking an entry point, like pillars.

Acer ‘Crimson Sentry’, upright purple Norway maple, 8m x 4m

Quercus ‘Green Pillar’, narrow pin oak, 14m x 3m

Traditionally conifers such as ‘Skyrocket’ juniper or Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) were used, but new fastigiate forms of favourite deciduous trees are now available. Check out these ones above and below.

Prunus ‘Oakville Crimson Spire’, upright flowering plum, 6m x 2m

Pyrus ‘Javelin’,ornamental pear, 10m x 2.5m

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Q&A

Why does my cumquat in a large pot have bright yellow leaves? It came through a cold winter in a warm spot and has some fruit. We’ve watered it with Seasol.

Roberta Jack, Woodend, Victoria

Citrus that suffer cold, wet winters can show “leaf yellows” all over the tree; when the soil warms again the leaves return to green. However, citrus have a high demand for a full range of nutrients. Use a quality citrus fertiliser such as Neutrog’s Gyganic, applying a little every month except in winter. Seasol is not a fertiliser but is an excellent tonic.

What can we plant as a fast-growing barrier along our west boundary to provide shade and privacy from a large construction next door? It’s clay soil with blasting afternoon sun.

Anna Grieve, Adelaide

Sweet viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum) is lush and very fast; the variety ‘Dense Fence’ is slightly tighter. Also consider a Pittosporum tenuifolium variety such as ‘Screenmaster’, ‘James Stirling’ or ‘Silver Sheen’, or Photinia ‘Red Robin’. Note that fast growth also means frequent pruning to keep a hedge dense and shapely. Improve your soil with organic matter before planting.

The windbreak of about 50 radiata pines on the property we bought 40 years ago are now 20m tall and continually dropping needles and fronds. The cost of complete removal is prohibitive, so could we instead cut them to 4m-5m without killing them?

Jim White, by email

Like most conifers, Pinus radiata doesn’t easily regrow from heavy cuts into old wood. As a rule of thumb, the more green foliage that is left below where you cut, the better the chance of survival. The wounds can invite disease, the trees will look ugly and will be weaker – so full removal and replacement is preferable.

Fiskars’ PowerGear X Large Bypass Lopper

Send your questions to: helenyoungtwig @gmail. com or Helen Young, PO Box 3098, Willoughby North, NSW 2068. The best question for October wins Fiskars’ PowerGear X Large Bypass Lopper, designed for strength and comfort, worth $145. fiskars.com.au.