Red Flowering Gum,

Corymbia ficifolia . one of the most widely planted ornamental eucalyptus trees, yet its natural range is about one square kilometre in the south-west, Western Australia .

Tree-elle is in this area and has flowering trees in the garden. Shades range from pink, orange red to deep red

leaves of cineraria and lambs ears. "Guests love being able to wander out into the garden with a basket before lunch or dinner to collect free fresh produce for a salad," says Elina.

Thousands of trees shrubs, spring and summer bulbs have been planted on the 28 acre rural retreat, with groves of fruit trees and exotics such as silver birches, alders, jacarandas and mop top robinias providing a formal garden foreground to the native bushland backdrop.

There are heritage and modern apple varieties, figs, plums, peaches, mulberries, strawberries, loquats and oranges available for serious garden

In Planning the Garden at Tree-Elle, more has been considered than just good looks and perfume. Good taste has been introduced too, with one of the major garden beds reminiscent of the French potager.

Here, calendulas jostle for position with abundant parsley, while red and yellow-veined silver