Owner / gardener Penny Milne created this garden in 2012, inspired by a garden trip to Italy in the early 1990s.

Penny describes this space as ‘classic with a twist’.

A central stepping stone path leads to the focal point of the garden; a large urn framed with hedges and from here, either side of a stone wall, the garden is divided into various spaces.

The wall was hand built in one day with volcanic rock from the property and looks very much as if it’s been there forever, as does the sculptural 80 year-old plum tree which has been professionally propped!

The garden has strong structure in the form of immaculately cut hedges - chocolate korokia, buxus and Eugenia, and the spaces between planted with favourites like hellebores, alstroemerias, cosmos dahlias, depending on the season.

Plus natives to compliment. Succulents too whose strong form are used to fill various containers and bird baths.

There are raised planters for vegetables too.

Pots are used and moved about the parterres extensively to give height and colour…. Also brightly coloured Morris & James pots give interest and focus.

Penny has added various sculptures to the garden, as in retirement a lot of time with family and friends is spent here.

The garden is very much part of the family!