Contemporary gardens usually consist of a selection of a few, mass-planted varieties. They suit many people as they look sharp and provide a low maintenance solution. Personally, I prefer a garden with a bit more diversity! So, I was most impressed when I came across a very stylish garden at Ellerslie Flower Show that proves you can have your contemporary garden and eat it too! Incredible Edibles won Silver Distinction for their fabulous edible garden, designed by Sandi MacRae of Christchurch.

Sandi’s inspiration came from “pleasurable childhood memories of large, though somewhat chaotic, gardens at my grandparents, and the desire for families to share the joy of low-maintenance gardening, healthy food, outdoor fun and relaxing”. Sandi has vivid memories of raiding her grandparents’ rambling garden to pluck fruit for Sunday lunches and firmly believes we should all grow a few edibles to give our children that same wonderful experience.

Sadly, Sandi’s grandparents are not here to share in her success. She’s not sure what they would have thought of her garden either! The contrast between their chaotic, rambling garden and her simple, contemporary garden reflects just how lifestyles have changed over the decades. Busy schedules leave less time for gardening so Sandi wanted to create a simple and effective garden that people could take ideas from to use in their own back yard.

Oamaru limestone was used to provide the garden with strong, defined lines and modern sophistication. A water feature adds an element of calm, whilst the pergola and decking area provide the perfect space for relaxation. The wire sculptures depict fun and activity, and the ladder and swing create play opportunities for children. The colourful, interwoven orbs on the lawn mirror the shape of red berries, further adding to the fun element.

Every plant used has a function. Ground cover orangeberries have been planted on framed panels to adorn boundary walls. Strawberries spill from troughs built into the overhead pergola. Watercress fills the pond and Chilean guavas form a neat little hedge around beds filled with strawberries and blueberries. Rhubarb is mass-planted as ground cover under standard feijoas, and beds of lemongrass add a lovely fine texture to the overall picture. Established olive and fig trees add maturity to the new garden, whilst bananas and sugar cane provide a lush, tropical background.

Sandi is modest about her stunning achievement, putting the garden’s success down to “an amazing team effort”. She is quick to add, “The best part has been redesigning and relocating the garden at Cholmondeley. It has been a humbling, but really exciting experience.” Cholmondeley (pronounced chum-ley) is a residential facility in Canterbury caring for children aged three to 12 years old. Some of the children visited Ellerslie and were awestruck by the experience of running about picking fruit from the bushes. It created huge excitement for them, knowing they would soon be the beneficiaries of this bountiful playground.

Plant selection

GROUND COVER:

Lemongrass: Can be grown in a pot in cooler areas.

Orangeberry: Tolerant of all but wet soils.

Rhubarb: Place well-rotted manure or sheep pellets in planting hole.

Strawberry: Well-drained and composted soil.

Watercress: Grows in a pond or boggy area of ground.

SHRUBS

Blueberry: Acidic soil. Select the correct variety for your area.

Chilean guava: Very hardy small shrub. Tolerant of coastal areas.

Gooseberry: Best in cool areas. Moist, well drained soil.

Pepino: Similar conditions to tomatoes.

Raspberry: Cold and wind-tolerant. Fertile well-drained soil.

TREES/TALL PLANTS:

Banana palm: Moist, well composted, well-drained soil.

Feijoa: Choose early fruiting varieties for cooler areas.

Fig: Vigorous growers that do well in a large container.

Olive: Good air circulation. Moisture retentive, free-draining soil.

Sugarcane: Hot, humid climates. Moist, well-drained, fertile soil.

Tamarillo: Sheltered site. Well composted, well-drained soil.

CLIMBERS:

Grape: Light, fertile, free-draining soil and air circulation. Fruiting plants should have sun, shelter and warmth, composted soil, annual feeding and plenty of water in fruit development. Select varieties to suit your climate.