Port Macquarie Garden Club president Mary Biden describes her garden as her absolute refuge.
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A backdrop of grevillia step down to camelias and loropetalum with an understorey of smaller shrubs and colour in the foreground.
Flowering plants range from pansies to ranunculus and dianthus.
And of course, the small garden is sprinkled with Ms Biden's favourite plant - roses.
A blend of native plants and exotics provide a cross section for bee pollination and mean fewer bugs too.
The garden showcases contrasting foliage and Ms Biden aims to have some colour in the garden year-round to provide scent.
Ms Biden started the garden from scratch after swapping Canberra's cold weather and a stunning garden with prize-winning roses for Port Macquarie's sub-tropical climate and a blank garden canvas.
Roses remain her favourite plant with their diversity of colour and scent.
The garden has roses in bloom for a good nine months of the year.
Gardens are always a work in progress, Ms Biden says, and that should be considered exciting, not detrimental.
"The garden is a place you fall in love with and indulge a love," she said.
"A garden should have a certain romance to it."
Ms Biden's favourite garden task is whatever is the current one.
"I like digging in the garden, seeing the soil look fresh and turned," she said.
"The colours, when you have flowers, are just delightful."
Gardening brings the senses alive.
"You have beautiful colours which flood the eyes, and there is beauty in that and beauty in the shapes of the flowers as well," Ms Biden said.
"The shape and form of all the plants and the foliage, even in a green garden, has a great beauty."
The perfume from the flowers adds another dimension, while pruning can also appeal.
A garden should have a certain romance to it.
- Mary Biden
"A small garden can still have a variety of plants if you are prepared to do a little pruning and a little judicious shaping," Ms Biden said.
Gardening has experienced a resurgence during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ms Biden said people had found a pleasure in gardening at this time.
Gardening newcomers should get alongside experienced gardeners, she said.
"Somebody that has been gardening for a long time has a passion for it and that's exciting," Ms Biden said.
"Somebody else's enthusiasm inspires you, and then as you get a little bit more confident, explore some areas that attract your own interest."
Ms Biden said nurseries were also a source of information.
Port Macquarie Garden Club, which provides encouragement and information to gardeners, warmly welcomes new members and inquiries.
Contact Mary Biden on 0488 502123 for further information about Port Macquarie Garden Club.
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