Monaro on Monaro is an award-winning garden located in Canberra. It has been transformed by owners John and Judy Thompson over a period of 38 years from a functional, neat and tidy garden into a horticultural delight. Their efforts have recently been recognised with the award for the Credit Union of Canberra Gardener of the Year.
Inspiration
Much of the development has occurred in the last ten years, since John retired from the workforce due to ill health. He finds gardening to be a therapeutic experience which keeps him busy and physically active.
The Setting
While the garden is beautiful, the Thompsons have been careful to maintain its functionalism as it is often used. Judy chose an informal barbecue area, and they were inspired to create a separate formal garden. The central feature is a fountain which they bought with their award winnings.
Gardening Fundamentals
The Thompsons have applied a few fundamental garden rules to their creation. In spite of his admission of being colour blind, John stresses the importance of vibrant colours. His great passion is yellow as it creates a strong colour contrast, heightening the vibrancy. He also focuses on shape, using basic, colourful shrubs to form a background which can be easily built upon. He plans carefully to avoid poor plant combinations and disappointing results which can occur in colour or type. Good fertiliser has led to success, particularly in growing the delicate blue flowering rhododendron (Florence Mann variety). John has used compost mixed with cow manure as well as lucerne, or mulched lucerne hay. Ample fertilisation also keeps their lawn healthy. The lawn is a Canberra mix and has responded well to a general fertiliser, and increased nitrogen levels during winter and the middle of summer. He maintains the mowing height at about three inches.
Plants of note: In addition to the blue flowering rhododendron, John has also used Canberra Grass (Scleranthus biflorus), which is not actually a grass, but a member of the carnation family.