In the middle of Brisbane City, on the grounds of an old rail way yard, is a hidden oasis of a park named Roma St Gardens. Sorry to sound so hyperbolic, but it really is amazing. We didn't even know about it for 2 years, despite driving past it at least twice a week. It is gated & fenced, & surprisingly quite large.
The gardens are beautifully planted in a large variety of mass plantings.
This one is New Guinea Impatiens.
It suddenly opens up into a large grassed area that slopes towards an ampnitheatre. Monkey boy can't resist & hurtles off down the hill - Mr BC looks a bit unhappy at the prospect of chasing him.
There are huge trees - this one is a Moreton Bay Fig.
And also tiny vistas like this beautiful fungus.
I wish my Clivea looked this great.
One of the big trees came down in a storm, so they have used the fallen tree to shelter a small Bromeliad garden.
Everywhere, pathways invite you forward.
Lots of water features mean lots of Water Dragons. I've been told there is a Dragon's Blood Tree but I was unable to find it - I'll just have to go again & have another look ..
This large water feature snakes through the gardens from one end to the other.
I love the way plants are used in interesting ways - this Bromeliad planter stand for instance.
Different coloured foliage in a striking display. Wow, I sound just like Allan Seale!
It was lovely to see Foxgloves in flower - I love them but they are so poisonous I am scared to plant them while the monkeys are small.
Mr BC, always on the look out for gardening ideas.
Teenage Daughter camouflaged in the Elk Horns..
Wait, did she go through that door?
This must be the bog garden. It was planted up with Pitcher Plants, which do grow in a bog after all...
The Gentleman was very excited about these stepping stones.
Mr BC's speech bubble should read How do I get this into my garden?? Or maybe he's having a moment from The Party. Birdy Num Num Mr BC!
The Gentleman whispered a wish into a fallen white flower, & tossed it into the moving water.
These photos where taken in spring, & there are lots of traditional cottage flowers.
Lots of plantings on these flower towers. Flower humps?
I do so love a hedge.
One idea I really loved was these floating islands, anchored to the bottom but swaying in the current. If you look closely at the island second from the bottom you can see a Water Dragon enjoying the moment.
Can you see him? He's got a tiny little cocktail & a glossy magazine hidden under those flowers.
The Gentleman likes to be colour coordinated at all times.
Meh, Monkey Boy's not so into the colour coordination. He goes more for exuberance.
Mr BC looks a bit bemused by The Gentleman's Dragon Taming exhibition.
Enjoying the moment. Looking for faeries? Lost in a reverie?
Mass plantings for maximum effect.
My hump, my hump, my lovely floral hump... check it out!
Yes I may have sung that in the gardens. Your point?
How lucky are these apartment dwellers to have this on their doorstep?
And yet if you turn around, the view is completely different.
Down another secret pathway.
And then all too soon you are back on the street!
We spent an hour wandering around & could easily have wandered for another 2.
If you are ever in Brisbane make sure you leave enough time to visit Roma St Gardens.
xx