News

Christina's Garden Project - a Legacy of Peace

Published
May 3, 2022

Christina loves nothing more than going for a stroll in the garden and spending time amongst nature. Christina finds it gives her a sense of peace, and allows her the space she needs to meditate and ponder.

With the various lockdowns of 2021, Christina found she couldn't celebrate her milestone birthday with her nephews and friends the way she had hoped, so she came up with a plan to celebrate in her own way - this garden was the result.

Christina Sitting on a wooden bench in the garden looking into the distance.

Pictured above: Christina believes the many shades of green will give a wonderful sense of peace and tranquillity. “It is a calm place to sit comfortably, spending time in reflection and meditation,” says Christina.

This plan became known as ‘Christina’s Garden Project’ and serves a double purpose.

The garden forms part of Christina’s legacy that future generations can enjoy - as well as creating a space for everyone to enjoy the garden forms part of Christina’s legacy that future generations can cherish.

On Christina’s daily strolls, she discovered a corner of the garden she felt was beautifully serene and secluded, and was somewhere comfortable to relax,  but needed a little love and a good tidy up.

This corner soon became the focus of her project.

Working closely with our in-house landscaper Adam, the pair came up with a plan to create a landscape of symmetry, balance and love – joyfully filled with Australian native selections.

“The garden is a semi-circle in shape, with each side mirroring the other, to symbolize balance,” says Christina.

“I chose Australian native flora, to honour the traditional elders of the land,”

Close up photo of Banksia birthday candle plant with 1 flower ready to bloom.

One of the native plants holds a double meaning, to honour Christina’s birthday, as pictured above.

“I chose the Banksia Birthday Candle plant to celebrate my birthday,” she says.

“Other selections we chose are Acacia Cognata trees along the back, and smaller “Limelight” versions just in front.

“We also included various Grevilleas, Happy Wanderer climbers and native ground covers.”

Christina believes the many shades of green will give a wonderful sense of harmony and tranquillity.

“It is a peaceful place to sit comfortably, spending time in reflection and meditation,” she says.

“If I am having a challenging day I come here to spend some time in peace and focus on happy thoughts.“

Christina has generously donated other trees to our lovely garden, and shared a glimpse into her life story. Learn more, here.  

The plaque reads:

Christina’s Garden

As I add the

Years this Garden

Will Give

JOY & PEACE

To Those Who Choose

To Share In

It’s Blessings

The Plants Will

Grow and Bestow

PEACE AND JOY

To Those Deem

To Share As

I Do Fade

Signed by Christina A Andersen, Adam and The Gardening Boys

Christina's flower shaped garden plaque amongst the rocks in the garden.

Pictured above: The decorative plaque's poem was written by Christina herself.

Christina sitting on a wooden bench in the garden in front of her plaque.

Pictured above: Christina is glad she chose Australian natives, “I planted Accacia Cognata trees along the back, and smaller ‘Limelight’ versions just in front. , I also planted various Grevilleas, Happy Wander climbing plants, and native ground covers.”