Artist Shirley Fisher caters for her passions of gardening, art and wildlife in the hills of Byford.

After spending many years, raising her three children, studying and graduating with a Diploma in Fine Arts whilst creating a tropical haven at Bullcreek, a garden featured in the first Open Garden Scheme in W.A. Shirley and husband Ray decided to build an art studio/gallery on their vacant block in Byford in 1994. Naturally the garden began at the same time and being a member of the W.A. Fern Society, the initial planting was a tree fern grove under the existing canopy of mature red gums. Large quantities of horse manure, sheep manure and mulch were introduced to enhance the soil, which is self- composting from the natural leaf litter. An interest in palms and cycads led to the joining of that Society and now the garden boasts around 120 different species.

In 1999 the house was added, creating a colourful home of six levels, each with views to the gardens, a terraced entertaining area and an internal atrium. Two large powton trees frame the house.

Zones of ferns, palms, cycads, tropical foliage plants, succulents, vegetables and annuals evolved, interspersed with cottage plants, ornamental trees and grasses. Pathways of pavers, crushed brick, lawn and mulch meander around the whole property.

Hollow logs wired high in the red gums and jarrah trees are now home to possums and birds. Other wildlife attracted to this garden is approximately 40 species of birds, including blue wrens, red-capped parrots and red tailed black cockatoos. Bandicoots, pygmy possums and blue tongue lizards all cohabitate happily.

In 2004 we once again joined the Open Garden Scheme and the name ?tenshira? was coined (a combination of our house number and the first letters of our names). To our surprise a web search discovered it is a word meaning mysteries of angels or nature. Ten being Japanese for heaven, we call it ?heaven on earth?, our own Garden of Eden.

The extension of the colour palette Mother Nature exhibits in the gardens to the interior of the home and the artworks on display in the gallery has provided many hours of enjoyment to family and visitors alike. With so many places to sit and reflect on the beauty surrounding one is extremely therapeutic.

?Tenshira? will be open again on the 18^th and 19^th November. Light refreshments will be available, with all proceeds to the Darling Range Wildlife Shelter. An art and sculpture exhibition and plant sales will also feature.