Page 17 - pākuViews Summer 2013
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A Couple’s seventeen year laboUr of love transforms a rubbished
ravine into a ponded paradise, a delight for eye, ear, and spirit.
Anson’s
Eden
You’d never guess that tucked behind houses at the
foot of Windsor Drive is a garden oasis. When Alan
and Shirley Anson purchased their small bach in
Tairua 17 years ago, the land was barren with not a
drop of top soil. But that didn’t deter these Aussies
– they had tackled severe weather gardening in
South Australia, so they pushed ahead.
The Ansons hand-cleared their land of rubbish, and
tackled the adjoining steep reserve property as well,
removing trash, gorse and pine trees that had been
thoughtlessly chopped down. A blocked drainage
ditch was cleared, and now a lovely stream meanders
through the property. Trout and eels swim upstream,
joining goldfish in the pond, much to the delight of the
neighbourhood kitties.
Neither photos nor words do justice to the beautiful
space this ambitious couple has created. Garden
clubbers are frequent visitors, traveling from as far
away as Otamo. Though the garden showcases some
unqiue specmens, plant ID is not the point. The Ansons
have worked their land as an art piece, with palettes
of rich grey-green textures, rock against fern, and
crisscrossing paths to entice wanderers.
The garden delights the nose with various scents
wafting gently throughout and the eye with patterns of
leaves, mosses, gravel and stones. Water ripples over
stone walls, through deep channels, only to rest for
awhile in lily padded ponds.
From the Anson’s English style garden with structured
interplay of cottage fences, raised beds, and roses,
one enters the tranquillity of the ravine sanctuary. A
place of healing and meditation. Rest on the green
benches, or breathe in the atmosphere on the stream’s
arched bridge.
The couple’s pride and love exudes everywhere
and the plants and flowers feel it as well – they love
being there. You can sense their happiness as they
propagate, and new plants even volunteer to grow in
several areas. Shirley has no idea where they’ve come
from. And of course, the extras? “We love to give them
away”, she smiles.
You’d think this garden would take up all the couple’s
spare time. Not quite. The former “rock‘n’roll” dance
instructors still kick up their heels and are avid boogie
boarders. Much of the last 12 years has been spent on
their son’s 50 acres at Sailors Grave, restoring the bach,
clearing bush and creating another “Anson Eden”.
Shirley and Alan have an “Open Garden” every
November, but are happy to share their gardens with
others and welcome clubs and tours. Ring 864 7600
to schedule.
Hippeastium
Gardenia
