There's a story behind every rescued palm and tree in this garden packed with exotic and unusual plants

When Rob and Carolyn acquired their two-acre block 15 years ago, there was an old house, a mature gum tree and claret ash, a few rosebushes and surrounding bushland.

Ten years ago, after demolishing the former dwelling and living onsite in a shed and caravan while the family’s new home was being constructed, Rob turned his attention to creating a garden. Passionate about rescuing plants that were destined for the chipper or landfill, Rob sought out an eclectic mix from across greater Adelaide. Now, the garden has numerous rooms surrounding lush patches of lawn.

Dozens of gigantic dragon trees, tall date palms, cocos palms, ponytail palms with giant elephant foot-like trunks, bottle trees, Abyssinian banana palms, tree ferns and other species provide shade for under-plantings of more delicate and younger ferns, palms and flowering borders. Rob constructed walls and used found objects to create focal points. He has laid kilometres of irrigation pipe which carry reclaimed, mains or rainwater from several huge tanks to all the plantings. Each garden room is unique but is underpinned by consistent plantings of some species. There is a story behind every rescued palm and tree; Rob can tell how he came across it and removed it from its original location, enabling each plant to thrive in its new and nurturing environment.

The garden is still a work in progress, and it is a constant joy for the owners, who have great dreams and plans for other projects yet to be fulfilled.