KEY POINTS:
Australian garden designer Peter Fudge's interest in gardening had much to do with a New Zealand neighbour, Mr Mac, whose garden - complete with award-winning orchids and pedigree ducks and chickens - was "like walking through the film set of The Lord of the Rings".
Fudge is now one of Australia's best-known designers, garden editor at Sunday Life magazine, and author of Peter Fudge Gardens, a coffee-table book that showcases his work.
Fudge will take part in the speaker series at the Ellerslie Flower Show this week. You can find more information at ellerslieflowershow.co.nz
What was your first gardening experience?
I grew up on the North Shore of Sydney where the home blocks are large and it was semi-rural. I used to earn pocket-money mowing the neighbours' lawns - all acre blocks. It took all day, probably enough to put some people off gardening. I was also strongly influenced by a Kiwi neighbour, Mr Mac. I helped tend his huge vegetable garden - and listened to the virtues of the All Blacks. And my parents spent every weekend in the garden, and I would often help them.
The best thing about your job?
The people factor. I have to understand my clients, whose practical and aesthetic requirements are all different. I love working out what inspires people, then designing that inspiration on plan and seeing it come to fruition during the install.
Any downside?
I'm passionate about what I do, so I find it hard to say no and hard to tear myself away from the business. I end up with no time to garden for myself.
Is there anything you'd never use in a garden?
Fashions change so quickly and sometimes take very unexpected directions, so I am loath to say that I would never use something in the garden - although when I look into a near backyard I see a rotary clothesline with a 3m diameter and I think I'd never allow one of those to form a feature - but who knows, if it was bright orange and doubled as an awning, maybe I would use it.
Your favourite tree/flower?
I love trees, from the Australian native Angophora costata with its stunning salmon-pink bark and open habit to the classic Pyrus nivalis, snow pear, for its beautiful formal habit and grey-green foliage, and the frangipani.
The most overrated tree/flower?
I believe in the creed that everything has its right place, although if I have to specify one overrated plant it would be the buxus, Japanese box, which is heavily used, not always to great effect - often highlighting elements that do not need such attention, for example lining a drive.
Your idea of the perfect garden?
One in which I can garden and experiment, one where I can find a seat under shade, one that I don't feel tied to because the maintenance is too great, one that looks good despite the little effort I put into it, one where I can entertain all year round, and one that allows my children to climb trees and play. A water feature in my garden would be a must because of our hot climate. And it needs to be a garden that wouldn't keel over if I didn't water it - so important in Australia now and for the future.
What does your garden look like?
We're renting, so I am maintaining some favourite pots. Our last home was in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, where the earth is one big sand dune. I planted a mixture of natives and exotics in generous drifts and many of the exotics were new New Zealand natives. It has strong square bones with very relaxed layered plantings and lots of trees to provide shade and scale to the house.
What's happening with gardens right now?
Gardens in Australia are heavily influenced by architecture and environment, using lots of organic materials in the house and garden, like glass, steel, timber and stone. In this way gardens are becoming much more sophisticated to match the architecture. Also our environment is heavily influencing the choice of plants we choose to complement designs. Our busy lifestyles and the fact we don't get rain regularly means the choice of plants is more critical than ever.
What should people consider when designing a garden?
The overall philosophy of the house and garden and understanding the practical requirements, as this will define the parameters of their design, making it unique to their site. Explaining to their designer how long they plan to live in the house, how much maintenance they are prepared to put in to the garden and finding images of inspiring gardens to give clear direction. Sewers and service lines, microclimates throughout the garden, damp spots and dry areas, as well as seeing what grows well in the area.
What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?
I am a nature freak so it would be a role that included sustaining and protecting our natural fauna.
* Peter Fudge Gardens, ($79.99, Hardie Grant Books, distributed by Southern Publishers)
