A French Provincial Dreamland In West Gippsland, Inspired By Monet’s Giverny Garden!
You’d be forgiven for thinking this house was in Normandy, because that’s exactly where owners Bryce and Marian Somes want to transport you. Inspired by Monet’s Giverny, the Somes have been tending to this 26-acre plot in West Gippsland as an homage to the great European gardens of the fin-de-siecle. Named Picardy, the gardens are in constant bloom throughout the year, with different sections designed to flower in different seasons – and the pair of francophiles are constantly adding new parts!
Revisit the original story here.
The gardens at Picardy by Bruce and Marian Somes. Photo – Sue Stubbs.
The gardens at Picardy by Bruce and Marian Somes. Photo – Sue Stubbs.
The gardens at Picardy by Bruce and Marian Somes. Photo – Sue Stubbs.
The Mollymook garden by Dangar Barin Smith. Photo – Prue Ruscoe.
The Mollymook garden by Dangar Barin Smith. Photo – Prue Ruscoe.
The studio garden by Kathleen Murphy Landscape Design. Photo – Marnie Hawson.
The studio garden by Kathleen Murphy Landscape Design. Photo – Marnie Hawson.
The studio garden by Kathleen Murphy Landscape Design. Photo – Marnie Hawson.
‘At the end of the day my greatest satisfaction is looking out over what has been created and the feeling of calmness it evokes,’ says Sam. Photo – Kim Selby.
Being her own space, the garden is a constant work in progress! Photo – Simon Griffiths.
The Deepdene Garden by Ian Barker Gardens. Photo – Claire Takacs.
The Deepdene Garden by Ian Barker Gardens. Photo – Claire Takacs.
It’s never lonely in Lily’s garden! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.
Lily Langham’s garden in Daylesford. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.
Lily is fascinated by the relationships between plants and insects. ‘I go down to the garden at night to see what moths are pollinating what plant!’ Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.
The West End garden by Dan Young Landscape Architect. Photo – Christopher F. Jones.
The West End garden by Dan Young Landscape Architect. Photo – Christopher F. Jones.
The West End garden by Dan Young Landscape Architect. Photo – Christopher F. Jones.
Jac Semmler’s Frankston garden. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
Jac Semmler’s Frankston garden. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
Jac Semmler’s Frankston garden. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
The Northcote Garden by Sam Cox Landscape Design. Photo – Claire Takacs.
The Northcote Garden by Sam Cox Landscape Design. Photo – Claire Takacs.
TheThe Northcote Garden by Sam Cox Landscape Design. Photo – Claire Takacs.
