A contemporary, Japanese-influenced garden featuring sculptures and stunning trees

A gnarled old gum tree overhanging the road, an attractive verge planting and a high rendered wall pinpoint the location of the DDS Garden.

Behind the wall is a surprise - with a backdrop of bamboo, a small goldfish pond, a stone lantern and a very old, superbly cloud-pruned jade plant create a serene Japanese-style entrance courtyard. Owners Richard and Japanese-born Kumiko recently asked Master Gardeners Fumio and son Shinya Ueda to extend the theme and several large boulders - essential components of traditional gardens - were positioned along the bank of the rocky winter creek that runs through the garden.

The leafy canopies of large elm trees growing beside the creek shade a slate paved area surrounded with azaleas, nandina, ivy, a monstrous monstera, ferns and other lush foliage plants. Rustic wooden plank bridges cross the creek and lead away from the Japanese theme to a more relaxed space with a large lawn and swimming pool. Beyond is a second area of lawn where Adelaide Tree Farm will have a display of deciduous trees, including a range of flowering crepe myrtles.

Dotted throughout the garden are a number of contemporary sculptures created by Richard using fibreglass and metal as the media. Some are free standing and others, like the Japanese landscape and the striking, larger-than-life zebra, are back-lit and used to add interest to walls.

The Zonta Club of Adelaide will serve refreshments including tea, coffee and cake in the cool shady area under the elm trees.

Amy and James, from Adelaide Tree Farm, will be available between 12-3pm both days to answer questions on growing Japanese maples, crepe myrtles and magnolias and will explain the attributes of the many different varieties, including recently released evergreen and deciduous magnolias.