The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 6 Spring 2013 | страница 13

Walking into Keith and Raynel Swales’
garden, I was like a dizzy yet excited
kid in a sweet shop – not knowing
where to start as everywhere you
look, you are drawn to another area
of the garden due to the wonderful
and endless focal points, leading you
around their haven in Harare.
When I got to the focal points, there
were more surprises waiting. I was
greeted by the wonderful, yet bold
collection of intriguing and contrasting
plants. Raynel Swales has combined
an incredible variety of plants, which
offer varying textures, allowing each
plant to stand out and be much
admired for its beauty - her artistic flair
really shows up in her ability to do this.
Mixing grasses, succulents, ferns, and
flaxes seems to be the main theme in
her bigger beds – all pulled together
by a river of echeveria. She has added
surprise elements of marigolds,
durantas and other auspicious plants
for contrast. Seeing this amazing and
boldly creative garden, such a clever
combination of plants, colour and
elements, it’s hard to believe that
Raynel struggles with her eyesight.
One aspect of her artistic touch, which
is very evident, is the wonderful way
in which she uses pots, metal birds
and pebbles around the garden; she
places them as though they naturally
belong there. The Herons by the
waterfall gracefully waiting for the
next fish to pass, the lizard scurrying
over the clay pot, so small but yet
visible to all, and the two giant birds
strolling through the tall lush green
foliage, almost prehistoric looking – all
these metal animals are visible and
seem to be posing in their natural
habitats. The pebbles flow along the
echeveria, helping to set the scene
of a meandering river and the clay
pots, my favourite, empty yet without a
need to fill them, as they look perfectly
balanced in their surroundings.