Twenty years ago Maureen and King Newman started work on “Naalong”, their dream garden. The two acre (0.81ha) property is at Farrants Hill in the Condong Range, which is part of the rim of the largest and oldest known extinct volcano in the world. Coming from a cold southern climate to a subtropical paradise, the Newmans had to make radical changes to their gardening methods. A very elderly neighbour gave them the best advice – “This is hungry country and you have to feed it and use lots of litter (mulch)”. The new gardening principles adopted include heavy organic feeding and mulching. Last year 200 bags of cow manure were used, as well as the end products of a neighbour’s horse, four goats and numerous chickens. Tea-tree mulch is used in the ornamental garden, cane mulch in the orchard areas and lucerne hay in the vegetable garden. King makes compost in three large bins, and no chemical sprays are used.
The garden
At first the Newmans planted roses, but soon realised that the climate just did not suit them. Plantings of palms were soon followed by more and more tropical plants – they created a dramatic, very exotic look that made more subtle plants look insipid.
Today rainforest trees and palms form a canopy for a large collection of understorey plants which provide a range of foliage colours and textures. There are meandering paths through the garden and an elevated boardwalk above wetter areas of the rainforest. A large pond surrounded by shade loving plants is home to Koi carp. Visitors to the garden often remark on a stunning Bismarckia palm (Bismarckia nobilis), which contrasts with the burgundy Fijian fire plant (Acalypha wilkesiana) as a focal point on the driveway. Another favourite of Maureen and King’s is the Mexican weeping bamboo (Otatea sp).
Further information:
“Naalong”, 114 Farrants Hill Road, Farrants Hill, Condong, (near Murwillumbah) NSW, will be open on the first weekend in March 2000 under the Australian Open Garden Scheme. For details call 1900 155 064 closer to the time.