Greek-established Mediterranean Garden Society group tours garden in WA

·

The Mediterranean Garden Society (MGS) in Western Australia (WA) invited The Greek Herald to a private viewing of the Rivergum Garden in Balingup, the southwest of WA.

Australian gardener, Di Whincop, invited the MGS for a private tour of her Rivergum Garden before the opening of the Festival of Country Gardens 2023. The garden is situated in WA’s south, where there is a Mediterranean climate like Greece.

The MGS society organises garden tours globally to exchange information about waterwise practices and gardening principles in Mediterranean climates. The organisation’s philosophy is to cultivate gardens by using Mediterranean and native plants and trees suited to the climate of place. This principle protects water sources and invites us to foster our gardens in harmony with the seasons.

The drive through Balingup is a combination of Australian countryside with the spirit of rural Greece. Its green pastures and valleys among the drier hills covered in native and Mediterranean trees, brings a nostalgia for the motherland.

Margot pointing out Mediterranean plants. All photos: Anjelica Smilovitis.
Di Whincop (middle) sharing her tips about gardening with hardy plants.

Cultivating a hardy, colourful garden over 13 years, Di has completely transformed a once-barren land to a park-like forest using waterwise practices the MGS promotes. The garden also nurtures a habitat for Monarch Butterflies.

Di bought the land when it was mainly sand and shrubs with an old property that needed major renovations. The now tranquil and artistically designed garden over 4.5 acres has three large areas that integrate. Each section holds a unique vision, artist expression and style. 

Let’s take you on a tour.

Cottage garden with natives and Mediterranean plants

The cottage garden surrounding the house blossoms with waterwise natives, hardy exotics, and Mediterranean plants.

Plants in the garden.
Plants in the garden.

Water features as seen in Mediterranean Garden Design

A permanent creek with four ponds underneath large, forest trees, runs through the centre of the garden as water features, a staple in Mediterranean garden design.

Alongside the creek is a beautifully kept lawn under shady trees, creating an open space to embrace all that is unfolding around you.

Mediterranean Garden Design
Mediterranean Garden Design

The zig-zag trail among the Cork Tree Forest

The sanctuary has a zig-zag uphill trail along a mossy path leading to a Cork Tree Forest. Looking closely at the cork trees, they are woven with delicate designs and details unlike other trees.

Photo: Anjelica Smilovitis.

As we walked along the trail, different members of the MGS shared stories of how the cork trees are used in Mediterranean cultures to make shoes, bags and flooring.

Viewing the garden from the hilltop revealed the magnitude and endless possibilities of what can be cultivated using water-wise gardening practices in a Mediterranean climate. 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Canterbury resident Peter Katholos pays to mow overgrown lawn amid government inaction

Homeowners in Canterbury-Bankstown are taking action against overgrown grass along public roads, as councils fail to address the issue.

Double-header delight: St George Saints march away with two straight wins

St George Saints Men's White were out for redemption in round 2 of the Basketball NSW Men's Waratah League.

Magnis Energy sells US battery factory as chairman Frank Poullas faces legal scrutiny

Magnis Energy, once a promising ASX-listed energy company, has sold its flagship American lithium-ion battery factory.

Sydney hairdresser Paris Coudounellis pleads guilty to AVO breach

A Phillip Bay hairdresser, Paris Coudounellis, pleaded guilty in Waverley Local Court on Monday to breaching an apprehended violence order.

Greece moves to ban surrogacy for same-sex couples with new legislation

Giorgos Floridis has announced a new legislative provision prohibiting homosexual men and single men from having children through surrogacy.

You May Also Like

Greek leaders across Australia congratulate The Greek Herald on its 95th anniversary

Greek community leaders from Victoria, South Australia, the ACT and New South Wales have sent letters of congratulations to The Greek Herald.

‘Irreplaceable’: Greek community reacts to death of Diego Maradona aged 60

Argentina football legend, Diego Maradona, has died of a heart attack at age 60, his lawyer has confirmed.

Yiayia Triantafilia: From a journey of migration to cooking and keeping traditions alive

Christina Banos started writing down her Yiayia’s recipes when she was a teen, as a way of keeping her family's traditional cooking alive.