The landscaping of the gardens is, of course, ongoing, but by 2009 the major features such as the Grande Allée, the potager garden, the berry house and the general layout of the garden as well as the planting of hundreds of exotic and native trees and shrubs was almost complete.

Sadly in February 2009, the Black Saturday bushfires ripped through Marysville and all around us was lost.  Delderfield miraculously was spared with only superficial damage to the buildings, but almost total devastation to the large native trees which were such a draw card in our choice of the land.  All of the perimeter plantings, the potager, the berry house and much of the general garden beds were lost.

So work began all over again. Over the following months we cleared, grubbed up roots, planted and planted and now we are starting to see the fruits of our labour, and it is difficult to remember just how much was destroyed.

The climate in Marysville is similar to some areas of Europe, so an English style garden fits well with the higher rainfall and colder climate, and we now find that our choice of plantings helped enormously to retard flames.  So we have planted much the same as before, only lots more.  So now, as before, deciduous trees light up the garden in autumn with a dazzling display of oranges, yellows and reds.

In late winter several thousand daffodils, pots of tulips and crocus herald the coming of spring and make way for hundreds of shrubs and small trees such as camellias, rhododendrons and flowering trees such as Japanese Cherry Blossom, Magnolias, Dogwood and Blue Pacifics.

Summer is a time for the herbaceous borders to take over, a riot of colourful plants and shrubs, as well roses, iris, lilies and colourful ground covers.

Guests are welcome to meander around the garden or perhaps find a shady spot in which to relax.

Now, we have moved on to another phase of our journey.  We have passed the management and daily running of the cottages to Phillip White.  He is just as committed as we are to your comfort and enjoyment of the surrounds.