Only a handful of gardens around the globe are real must-visits for garden lovers. And several years in they hired Oliver Briers, knowing it would take more than just the two of them to realize their dreams.
Photography by Ingalls Photography.
Working by Bev’s side, he helped bring a sense of design to the property, now a lush garden of Eden.
The ponds and water features at Ayrlies were all created by Malcolm McConnell, who was fascinated by the effects of water in a garden.
Many areas of the garden are delineated by theme, plant selection, and color.
Wooded areas like the Rockery offer a respite from the garden’s densely planted areas.
There is much to be learned from Beverley’s color palette and sense of texture.
Oliver Briers, who worked alongside Beverley, was a master at linking the various garden rooms with meandering paths that flow from one area to the next.
The tall vertical Agathis robusta seen across the Cypress Pond anchor the lower garden. Deep purple foliage connects the garden; it appears to be a favorite color.
Deep-red kangaroo paws, a native Australian plant, float over burgundy-colored bromeliads–another example of the garden’s fearless color palette.
An informal but more traditional part of the garden has a flowery moment. Beverley loves roses and has lots of them, scrambling up trees and weaving with clematis.
Rich reds and greens complement each other in a mix of dahlias, glossy-leafed farfugium, ferns, variegated canna foliage, and alstroemeria.
Tall papyrus grows along the edges of the water features.
A charming shed in the Rockery, shaded by mature brugmansia.
The irregular-shaped swimming pool is surrounded by a verdant tropical garden, so it fits well into the landscape and connects the house to garden.