Donvale Cottage
Garden design by Ashley James, Ashley James Gardens.
The Panton Hill cottage, designed by Ashley James and located in the small town of Donvale, Victoria (Australia), boasts a magnificent backyard bursting with natural life and colour. Beyond its visual splendour, this garden holds deep sentimental significance for both Ashley and homeowners, John and Sue.
Ashley’s connection to the Panton Hill Cottage and the clients runs deep. Having apprenticed under his mentor and father, who built the family’s previous garden in Kangaroo Point, Ashley was now entrusted with the design of their new outdoor living area at their new home: ‘Donvale Cottage’. The space was to host a memorial garden that paid homage to the homeowners’ late son — reminiscent of the memorial garden he helped his father to create at their original Kangaroo Ground residence.
The Brief
Homeowners Sue and John graciously stepped back from the project of planting out this garden, giving Ashley full creative control of this development. The clients did request, however, that they have the ability to cut flowers throughout the entire year to display in their home.
The Transformation
With free reign and knowing the clients had unwavering trust in his process, Ashley embraced the opportunity to craft the space he envisioned.
The garden design mirrors the charming ‘cottage style’ of the residence. With the clients both being expats, this design style created a sense of nostalgia for home.
A meadow-like garden was planted, hosting an array of flowers to fulfil the clients’ desire to have cut flowers year round. Additionally, the space included the integration of a vegetable garden and miniature orchard, adding practicality and aesthetic to the final design.
The garden also included a few practical elements to help the homeowners have functionality in the garden, such as the input of handrails and items to ensure John and Sue could navigate the space effortlessly.
The Result
Completed by Ashley James in 2018, this enchanting garden transports you to a world of romance and tranquillity. Nestled in the heart of the countryside, the picturesque cottage garden is surrounded by lush perennial plantings, creating a haven of natural beauty. As you wander along the beautiful red brick pathway, the fragrant scents of the flowers fill the air, inviting you to explore further.
Key Planting List
To name a few of the many plants in this full garden…
- Salvias
- Buxus (Common box)
- Penstemons
- Wall flowers
- Lavender
- Roses
- Iris
- Echinacea (Cone flowers)
- Catmint
- Miscanthus
- Wisteria
- Birch trees
- Meadow flowers (Ashley’s own special mix)
- Dichondra Repens (as ground covers between the organic bluestone pavers)
Garden design by Ashley James Gardens.
Australian garden designer and maker, Ashley James designs and builds gardens in a distinct style that uses informal design, traditional materials, dense plantings, and a mixture of ornamental and edible plants to create beautiful and productive gardens for a modern Australian lifestyle.
