Jac Wise's Warren garden

Jac Wise has created a relaxed country garden, Bonnington, on the edge of Warren in Central West NSW. Enlisting the help of Sarah Curry, Majors Mulch, she has added perennials and hardy plantings of saltbush, rosemary and westringa to already established lemon scented gums. 

Tell me a little about yourself? 

I grew up on a sheep and cattle station between White Cliffs and Wilcannia. We always had a great lawn and established trees, which I think shaped my love for green spaces.

How would you describe the style of your garden at Bonnington?

A relaxed country garden.

Bonnington isn’t the first garden you’ve established, what lessons have you carried into this one?

Preparation is key, but also just start. You learn as you go, and it doesn’t have to be perfect.

How important is it to you to have a garden?

It’s really important. It’s a place for our family and friends to enjoy. My husband Andrew is a farmer, so coming home to something green and fresh feels especially important during the dry times.

It’s also a space for our kids to explore, along with our animals. We have chooks, ponies, and there always seem to be baby animals, whether it is kittens or chicks.

I love being outdoors, it always makes me feel better. I have always been an early riser and love having a coffee in the garden as the sun comes up. It is one of my favourite parts of the day.

In the afternoons after work as an early childhood teacher, if I am lucky enough to get home before dark, I love to walk around the garden. It helps me reset after the day.

Tell me a little bit about your garden, when did you start establishing it?

We started the garden the second we took ownership. We felt very lucky to have Sarah Curry from Major Mulch visit the week before settlement to share her knowledge and help begin the garden design.

The property was overgrown with unwanted trees, so we cleared just enough to get a shipping container down the driveway, and from there we have just chipped away at it bit by bit.

What feel does the garden have?

The garden has been designed around a beautiful late Victorian home, established in 1894. It feels like a natural extension of the house and truly feels like home, safe, welcoming and settled.

Plants you use to achieve your style and favourite combinations

I love mixing salvias, grasses and roses together. It gives a soft, layered feel while still feeling relaxed and natural.

Plants that perform well in your garden

Hardy plants tend to do best in our garden, especially saltbush, olives and bougainvillea. They cope well with our conditions and are reliable year round.

What are your major challenges? How do you overcome them?

Hedges have been a challenge. It is disappointing as it is quite obvious. I have lost parts of my rosemary and westringia hedges, possibly from overwatering.

I am now replacing them with hardier plants including Rhagodia and old man saltbush, which I hope will be better suited to our conditions.

What are your future garden plans?

With the dry conditions and busy family life, I am trying to be more realistic with the garden. I would love to introduce more structure and defined spaces that bring a sense of order without creating more maintenance.

Tips for finding time to garden, especially with young kids?

The garden often seems to be last on my list of jobs, but our children love being outside. The swing set, cubby house, pool and animals are all a big part of our garden, so I tend to work where they play.

It is definitely not always perfect, but I have learnt that the garden can always wait.

Water source

We use river water to support the garden.

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by like minded gardeners, and people who are generous with their time and willing to share their knowledge and passion.

Favourite garden tool

My hedge trimmer, I use it all the time. It keeps everything looking neat, from my saltbush, rosemary and westringia hedges to shaping my teucrium balls and standard olive trees.