Author Archives: Alison Aplin

Alison Aplin

About Alison Aplin

Former owner and designer of Australia’s only ecotourism and multi award winning garden Timandra [now Mintaro Garden Rooms], in the Clare Valley SA. She has a Diploma of Horticulture and is an Arborist with a deep respect for trees. Alison is a passionate advocate for the environment and nature in general. She is the managing partner and designer for Timandra Design & Landscaping, constantly learning her craft through her own gardens, now Timandra by the Sea. Further info about this business can be seen at www.timandra.com.au

Design Sandra Heggen Sustainability in garden design

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This is a subject that is very dear to my heart. I get quite passionate about the subject so do apologise if I offend any readers. I have been a sustainable garden advocate now for at least 20 years – well before most people even considered what sustainable gardens really meant. So I have put a lot of mental energy into working out why I think the way that I do about how we design gardens and how we manage them into the future. I was also the only owner/designer of a garden that was accredited with Ecotourism Australia for its sustainability credentials. Continue reading →

Frost photo supplied by informed farmers.com Managing frost in your garden

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It is the lack of through-breeze that is probably the most significant factor in whether a frost will settle in your garden. My former garden in the Clare Valley of South Australia is situated in a low lying pocket in a region that is relatively high in altitude. Because of the topography of the region, this garden is situated in a dumping ground for gale force winds from the west. In order to reduce the impact of these winds, windbreaks had to be planted along the western boundary. Continue reading →

Lomandra hystrix 'Katie Belles' Using grassy plants in garden design

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For those of you who have followed my posts, you will know that I am an ardent fan of foliage plants. Australian grass-like plants certainly fit into this realm, and are used regularly in my garden designs and landscaping. The late Christopher Lloyd first kindled my instinct for using grassy plants in my designs about 15 years ago. He was particularly fond of the Miscanthus plant group, which I also love. But here the tale is about our indigenous plants. Continue reading →

Jerome - the (now) 3-legged tabby cat Jerome, my (now) 3-legged cat

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I must first thank the many people who commented about the plight of Jerome – and they were all such positive cat comments. (The heartache of pet ownership Dec 5, 2012). I was wary initially that I would get people saying that Jerome got what any cat deserved i.e. cruelty, because of the attitude that some in our community have towards cats. But the genuine gardening public didn’t let me down; I feel that all true gardeners have a respect for all animals which I feel was apparent in the many comments shared. Continue reading →

Jerome visibly dehydrated The heartache of pet ownership

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Reading the eclectic diversity of articles by GardenDrum authors about gardens and gardening, it has become pretty evident to me that a lot of true gardeners are also great animal lovers. It seems an automatic impulse or desire in us that we graduate froma love of plants to all creatures as well. Continue reading →