Garden Rooms worth entering.

An ambient autumn morning and off to Brookfield to enjoy a walk around the garden of Scott and Robbie MacLay. They purchased the 21/2 acres in 2008 and it is truly remarkable to see how much they have done with the sloping block with views of the D'Aguilar Ranges. Robbie and Scott were on hand with a helpful handout and to answer many questions from the visitors. This garden visit was organised by the Friends of Brisbane Botanic Gardens and Sherwood Arboretum. https://fbbgsa.org.au/

I will take you through their country style garden with what they call their "Garden Rooms". My description will be a poor second to seeing and enjoying the garden in situ. 

The parterre garden with neat little clipped hedges is our first stop. To the back masses of pink roses. The Japanese Box and the Murraya paniculata Min Min make the perfect mini maze. 

A little further down the fairy garden complete with wooden toadstools and tinkly butterflies hanging from the tree. Her grandchildren love this space and you can see why, as I am sure it transports them to all kinds of fairy stories. 

At the bottom of the slope is the forested area with a mixture of tropical and temperate species. This is evolving and with the trees growing ever taller it has allowed the introduction of more, Holly, Native Gardenia and Golden Pendas which are so pretty when in flower. 

Then as we head up we stop to admire a tree which is a first for me. A filaria tree, Dwarf Jaboticaba? with very red fruit which clearly is a great favourite for the possums and the birds, and the start of what is called the Red Bed. Plants with strong red colours everywhere, many natives as well. 

On the other side by the tennis court a bed of grass swaying in the wind, their brown tops catching the light and setting off the enormous bronze pot standing on the border's edge to perfection. These bronze and reddish colours continued in the hedge just beyond.  

We walk past a most prolific climber - (forgot to ask what this was) before turning into the rose garden which was awash with roses of all types and colours - so many still in flower which was delightful. 

Further up a rich and varied veggie patch next to the chicken coop and from there into a well established citrus orchard but with some mature olives in there, figs and mulberries. 

From there we walked over the back of the house with some shady seating and lots of orchids attached to a frangipani. The hedging again was varied and immaculately trimmed and I loved this big pot with so many succulents. 

Turning the corner into the house we come to a covered area with lots of very healthy hoyas. Round to the verandah of the house and onto the sun deck with views over the garden and the bush. Many Phalaenopsis orchids are attached to the Golden Cane palms around the swimming pool, some already in flower. 

The garden is well planned and beautifully varied and Robbie and Scott have put a great deal of love and effort into planning it and seeing it evolve over the years. It was a joy to be able to share it with them this morning.