Rose-filled ramble

Nestled in the rolling hills of the New South Wales Southern Highlands, at Sutton Forest, is the wonderfully romantic garden at Red Cow Farm. Created by Ali Mentesh and Wayne Morrissey, the 2.5ha site overflows with fragrant roses, exquisite clematis and other horticultural treasures in every direction.
When Ali and Wayne bought the property – which sits on the traditional lands of the Gundungurra and Dharawal peoples – in 1990, it was little more than a run-down cottage in an empty paddock. But the couple saw potential.  

Happy companions
While Red Cow Farm is full of amazing plants, the rose reigns supreme. Roses are Ali’s favourite flowers and he confesses that he stopped counting after 1500 plants! But don’t expect to see Ali’s roses laid out in formal beds with bare earth underneath. He firmly believes roses should be grown with other plants to maximise their beauty. His beds have a more relaxed style, where roses are often grouped together, for impact, and partnered with a range of other plants, like the vigorous Rosa ‘Jasmina’ mingling with Clematis ‘Prince Charles’, pictured above.

Creating points of interest
Ali’s tips for combining form and texture:
● For constant novelty and diversity, plant a wide range of flowering perennials.
● Use flowering spring bulbs to liven things up before roses bloom.
● Include architectural plants with dramatic foliage shapes and forms, such as cardoons.
● Add more scope with foliage plants including grasses and succulents.
● Don’t overlook shrubs that add height and whimsy (for example, smoke bushes Cotinus ‘Grace’ and C. ‘Royal Purple’).

For more on this fabulous garden and its unique tapestry of roses and perennials, get your copy of the May issue of Gardening Australia magazine – and prepare to be inspired.

Images: Brent Wilson