Episode: #12 18/11/06
Presenter: Melissa King

The featured garden will change the way you think about dry tolerant plants forever ? its low maintenance, whimsical, beautiful and child friendly. What an extraordinary combination and if you visit the garden on the 19^th November 2006 you will be helping to raise money for children in need.

Luke Rabl, the Garden Designer says the emphasis of the design was for a drought tolerant garden, given that the owner collects a lot of succulent plants. The palette was basically a large collection of plants that the owner already had. The owner is a real green thumb and likes to propagate a lot of plants. In addition to that a lot of native plants were used and South African drought tolerant plants. Everything had to be fairly striking and flower through out the year.

People who go see the garden will probably take away an appreciation for plants that don?t use a lot of water and are traditionally associated as being drought tolerant and also an understanding and appreciation that plants can be used in an interesting way and still achieve the result that you want.

The magnificent Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco) was set as the theme for the garden years ago, when the owner first saw the tree. Once it was placed, a lot of interesting succulents were used to set the theme for the entire garden.

DesignFest has finally arrived and Sunday the 19^th of November 2006 is your last chance to visit the featured outstanding garden along with 30 others across Melbourne designed by some of Australia?s top landscape designers.

For a list of all the gardens that are open simply visit the www.gardendesignfest.org.au

Tickets can be purchased on-line or at the garden gate ? Don?t miss out!

Design Fest
www.gardendesignfest.org.au