May 2026
Dear Gardening Friends,
Autumn is passing, leaves are still dropping, winter foods are being enjoyed and we are one month from the shortest day. I do like these winding down days when there is more time to do other things.
One of my gardening friends, Dale, who enjoys the birdsong in our garden, told me about the beautiful poem ‘Bellbirds’ by Henry Kendall. First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on 25 November 1867, ‘Bellbirds’ has remained one of Australia’s most loved poems. Again and again good things are constant.
So many visitors have admired the willow fence in our garden, which was planted and woven by master willow weaver Mike Lilian. Fortunately, Mike has trained some younger people in the craft, and I would like to share some info with you about Gemma Stratton, a lovely young woman who is creating so many beautiful things. Local willow basket makers Gemma Stratton and Diana Duncan (Swampcity basketry) put their basketry aside come winter to harvest the willow for the season of the living willow work. Inspired by ancient English and French traditions, and Mike Lilian’s fine hand, they sow and weave walls and fences, Harlequin Trees, tunnels and play houses to create wonderful formal living sculptural work. The seasonal window for the living work opens early June and closes again early August while the sap in the rods lay dormant.
Gemma can be contacted at g.m.stratton@gmail.com if you are interested in discussing work with her. I highly recommend her.
Photo 1-4: Enjoying the last of autumn’s magic.
Photo 5: If you are ordering roses this winter, I do recommend Blairii No 2, which has been growing up a cherry tree in our garden for nearly thirty years. You don’t see this rose much in New Zealand gardens. I see it has sold out at Cornerstone Roses but it is available from The Plant Company.
In three weeks’ time I will be returning to my home in France, so I’ll try and take some photos to brighten the winter days. I am starting to feed the birds with their home-made bird porridge this week, and our house sitter will continue, as well as looking after our dear cat Malfi, whom many of you have met.
Warm wishes,
Margaret
