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The garden is my life | Garden design and inspiration | Gardening Australia



Costa lends a hand to a centenarian gardener who’s been cultivating her beautiful backyard since 1950.
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After 70 years of gardening, Phyllis Thompson still enjoys planting, watching her garden grow and painting gnomes. Moving to her property in 1950,

Phyllis carved out her garden from the clay and weeds of her suburban block, and first planted a frangipani, then fruit trees, vegie patches and a wide range of flowers including her beloved roses. She says, “In those days, we didn’t have a lot of money so you made use of what you could find. We didn’t have anything expensive, just as long it was a flower or a shrub that was enough.”

Maintaining the garden at 100 years old now is a little harder as “you get a bit tired sometimes, but you sort of put that aside and keep going anyway.”

Phyllis’ carer Camilla Thompson says “I think the garden means everything [to Phyllis], it just gives her life… I think nan is really a poster girl for the importance of people living at home. She’s a shining example of the benefits of being at home at that age.”

The garden needs a bit of work to make sure that Phyllis can continue having her freedom to be out in the garden without trip and slip hazards, so Costa lends a hand!

First, Costa blocks a potential trip hazard where paving drops down to the path, by simply moving large pots in the way. Raising the level of the lawn to be flush with the main path and replacing uneven scoria with wood chip mulch also reduces the chance of tripping over. Under Phyllis’ watchful gaze Costa and Camilla also replant the driveway beds to be full of colour once again, with a selection of low growing, Australian natives.

Phyllis’s message to gardeners young and old is to not be afraid of hard work, and don’t let setbacks stop you from gardening. “If I hadn’t have had the garden, maybe I wouldn’t have lived to 100. So really, the garden is my life.”

Filmed on Dharug Country / Sydney

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49 Comments

  20. Annaliese A

    Lovely, gardening and a dedicated Carer for 25 years are a great recipe for her well being at this age.

  24. irishkazolotse

    Costa, thank you for taking care of those potential hazards in Phyllis' garden, sending a virtual hug to the gardeners of all ages!!!!!

  27. Pink Frangipani

    This was just inspirational. It encouraged me to keep going in my garden. Whatever the capacity. I love you, Phyllis. And I love your garden. Thank you. ❤️❤️

  30. Joan Shute

    Phyliss you are one inspiring Lady . I am 81 tomorrow and my Garden is everything to me. Involve my garden as I feel close to God when I am working in my Garden. Thank you for taking us along for this Beautiful Tour of your Garden. So until next time God Bless you and you and have a Blessed day and Happy Gardening my dear Friend. 🌹🌷🌼🌻

  43. Nhury Murillo Santamaria

    Hola que preciosa Señora hermoso jardín y la decoración que tiene los rosales… , me encantó🥰🥰🥰💯💯 saludos desde la ciudad de Cali Colombia

  45. HR HR

    I’m 33 years old, and had a hip surgery and still suffering from chronic pain. But gardening is what makes me happy. I still go to my garden and get my hands dirty. Makes me feel alive.

  46. Beverly Hughes

    Thank you Phyllis for sharing your beautiful garden. I have a garden I’m having fun with, hopefully until I reach 100.❤️😊

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