Yalamurra Garden Tour
Saturday 19th October 2019
4pm to 7pm
441 Humbug Scrub Road, Yattalunga (near One Tree Hill)Cost $35/head - Refreshments included - 25 Attendees
SOLD OUT
This is a unique garden! Best described as a little Piet Oudolf-like in design, but only vaguely so; Kurt’s garden has an individuality of its own! Kurt will ‘walk and talk’ around his garden explaining his philosophy and how he experiments with plants to find those that will survive in his very thin, poor soil with limited irrigation. He is passionate and knowledgeable and his enthusiasm is inspiring!
Kurt describes himself as a “greenscaper, topiarist, hedger and professional gardener”! When he purchased the property 7 years ago he began by using his trimming skills to shape existing plants into a series of tight domes. The sharp contrast this created with the surrounding jumble of plants appealed to him and he continued to expand and hone the concept, adding more domes and more jumble!
As with Oudolf, Kurt can see the beauty in foliage whether it be living or dead so he allows plants that would usually be thought past their prime to remain if they add to the picture or provide movement in the garden. Similarly with plants commonly considered to be weeds, whilst not encouraged he doesn’t discriminate and if they pop up and their foliage or flowers contribute to his vision, they momentarily become part of the big picture.
The garden is north of Adelaide and the setting has stunning views over distant rolling hills. The clipped domes artfully mimic the shape of the hills and their distant velvety appearance is a sharp contrast to the froth of planting between the domes. Colour makes a statement too; the usual guidelines for colour combinations have been disregarded and ‘the richer and brighter the better’ is the rule that reigns!
Kurt’s Garden will certainly challenge your concept of what a garden is! Still a young garden and a very much a work in progress, it is original and imaginative, created by a visionary who is not afraid to push the boundaries of traditional garden design. Images of the garden can be seen on Instagram @kurt.wilkinson.