The Kidman Garden is delightful - compact, colourful and crammed with flowers

Nine years ago, Suzie and Sid Kidman relocated to the town and after several years renovating their new home, created a smaller but equally pretty version of their former large farm garden.

Their town garden is compact but overflowing with roses, many perennials including hardy salvias, hellebores, agastache, foxgloves, delphiniums, daylilies, delicate Queen Anne’s lace and other old-fashioned favourites.

A tall pittosporum hedge creates a backdrop for a border of roses with flowers in shades ranging from yellow to pink and into red, all underplanted with vibrantly coloured iris. Pots of annuals add extra pops of color and throughout, there are succulents imaginatively planted in interesting containers. Chinese star jasmine along the western boundary fence makes a lovely green outlook from the house and as well as providing perfume when in flower.

A Chinese pistachio tree chosen for its fine foliage and glorious autumn colour is centered in the gravel paths between the raised beds in the vegetable garden. Although small, this productive area is well-tended and with several dwarf fruit trees, provides a supply of fruit, vegetables and herbs. The chook house tucked away in the back corner is partially hidden by a vigorous climbing iceberg rose.