The Gardens
The multiple gardens comprising Seven Willows are overwhelmingly about hostas. Between 1998 and 2014 a new hosta bed was created annually. The primary driving force behind its creation was an attempt to showcase hostas in varied landscape and design settings; it is this focus on hostas that is the major attraction. There are eight distinct sections or eight separate gardens, with each consisting of a cluster ranging between 6 to 12 flower beds, making a total of 50 beds featuring over 900 different varieties of hostas. Daylilies are also in abundance, of which at least 175 different varieties are to be found.
Victoriana
Garden
Situated to the west of the spruce-lined driveway to the house, has the most visible presence in Seven Willows.
Creek Side
Garden
Running along Nash Creek accounts for eight freeform raised beds. The most prominent feature of which are the four majestic willows trailing into the creek.
Centre Point
Garden
The Centre Point Garden is situated to the rear of the house between the Victoriana Garden to the west and the Creek Side Garden.
Northwestern
Garden
Bounded by a cedar hedge to the south and north, the farm laneway to the west and Centre Point to the east. This garden is made up of most of the original beds, dating back to 1979.
Summer House Garden
Located north-east of the house, and is made up of six beds and was created between 2002-2003. It has been the most enduring of all the gardens.
Japanese Style
Garden
Each bed gives a different representation of the key elements of Japanese-garden style evoking water, earth, mountain and fire.
Woodland Garden
It was envisaged as a blend of regular perennials and shrubs in a woodland setting, a blend of two divides; it has not really worked.
Cottage Style Garden
Contains the 7 beds wrapping around the house, and includes the original garden bed that was planted in 1975. These garden beds are delightful.