Di Michalk, Open Gardens SA, Naracoorte Community News
Still Water is a beautiful, sprawling country garden built around towering natural red gums.
Designed by Mary Skene-Kidman in 1959, the older parts of the garden strongly reflect her design, plant selections and colour schemes with Edna Walling influences at play in The Shrubbery.
Present owners Rick Paltridge and Cathy Hughes have each contributed to the evolving garden. Rick’s interest in Frank Lloyd Wright, the renowned 20th century American architect, is skilfully exemplified in various stonewall creations throughout the garden, including a courtyard space known as the Pavilion. Cathy has converted the original mass plantings of iris and roses into perennial borders, adding lavenders, penstemons, valerian and salvias. Silver plants like artemisia, lamb’s ears, euphorbia and swathes of catmint along the garden edges provide contrasting colour and texture. The many deciduous trees add a lovely display of autumn colour.
Address: 344 Krongart Road, Penola
Open: Saturday 13 to Sunday 14 April 2024, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Directions: From Penola, drive 10kms along the Riddoch Highway towards Mount Gambier; turn right at Krongart Road, drive for 4kms (past the Penola Golf course); Still Water is on the right.
Garden highlights: The garden includes perennial borders, two connected wetlands, towering red gums under-planted with deciduous trees, stonewall features, garden sculptures and expansive lawn areas. The quince orchard of nearly 100 trees contains all 16 known varieties of quinces in Australia. Tours available each day.
Extra activities: Selected regional producers and makers will have food, wines, beverages, plants, quince preserves, and artworks available for sale on both days. Includes artist-in-residence Catherine FitzGerald who will paint a still life of quinces each day.
Garden size: 3 hectares, 7 acres.
Please note: This garden has an unfenced lake.
Charity: Terra Rossa CWA branch.
Entry costs:
- General Entry Cost – $10 – Children under 18 free
- Open Gardens SA Members – $8
- Commonwealth Government Concession Card Holders – $8 (Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card)
We encourage you to bring cash as EFTPOS facilities are not always available.
Find out more at www.opengardensa.org.au.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
