The Walled garden
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The Flowers
Nestled within the walled garden of Chateau de la Carriere lies the flower garden. As the seasons change so do the flowers…tulips, peonies, roses, zinnias, hydrangeas, sunflowers, cosmos all make an appearance with the majestic dahlias ending out the season. The symphony of colour and fragrances creates a truly enchanting ambiance. Nestled within the flower beds you will also find an abundance of herbs which are used in the chateau kitchen.
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The Perennial
The middle of the walled garden is devoted to perennials of all colours and hues interspersed with gently waving grasses and stately topiary who appear to be standing guard. A place of peace and reflection it is also an oasis for the furry bumblebees, busy carpenter bees, delicate hummingbird moths and butterflies of all colours.
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The Potager
With a commitment to sustainability and culinary excellence, the potager showcases our dedication to fresh, flavourful produce grown using organic methods. The range and quality of produce grown is enormous and used by the chateau kitchen. The elegant greenhouse serves many purposes, nursery for seedlings, winter home for citrus and enchanting summer dining room. Eating a meal surrounded by the produce you are also eating is a unique experience. Adjacent to the potager you will also find the orchard where you can wander along the path or sit and enjoy the views over the surrounding countryside.
In years gone by, the chateau gardens would have kept a few gardeners busy looking after the potager and orchard, tending the formal gardens and the curated woods. Those days however we long gone and when Suzie took ownership of the Chateau the gardens were non-existent…just some weedy grassy areas with random trees and orchard of neglected fruit trees. Apart from the 200 year old stone walls there was nothing to show what the original gardens would have looked like.
Realising the garden was way beyond her abilities Suzie commissioned Paul Bangay, one of Australia’s foremost garden designer’s to design a new chateau garden. Works commenced in 2019, overseen by French garden designer Emmanuel Taillard and was a huge project with months of hardscaping in all kinds of weather. A huge team of volunteers worked tirelessly to remove all the old ivy and vines from the old walls and help create the beds ready for planting. Then Covid interrupted so much of the planting was not done until 2021 and it is remarkable how established the garden has become in such a short time. The beautiful chateau now has a garden that is worthy of her. A garden that brings much joy to those who visit and one that just gets better every year.
Designed by Paul Bangay
For over 30 years Paul Bangay has fulfilled his clients’ aspirations for gardens that are expressive of the timeless elegance and classic simplicity for which he is internationally renowned.
Widely regarded as the foremost garden designer in Australia today, Bangay’s clients include a roster of the most prominent figures in business and culture. His extensive list of projects span private and public commissions in Australia and New Zealand, as well as further afield in Europe, North America and the West Indies.
Bangay holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Horticulture) from the University of Melbourne. In 1994 he was granted a Melbourne Arts Centre travelling scholarship to further his study of landscape design in Europe and the Americas. He won the Mobil Pegasus Award for the best contribution to the Melbourne International Festival of the Arts (1989). In 2001 Bangay was awarded the Centenary Medal for his contribution to public design projects and in 2018 he was awarded a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for service to landscape architecture. Since 2020 he has served as a Trustee for Cruden Farm, and since 2018 as an Ambassador for Prince’s Trust Australia.
Bangay’s distinctive approach has been featured in countless publications, and he is a sought-after guest on gardening and lifestyle programs. His personal insights have informed a successful series of lavish and widely anticipated books, beginning with The Defined Garden (1996) and most recently ‘Paul Bangay’s Guide to Plants- Expanded Tenth Anniversary Edition (2021).
The Swimming pool
Swim into Serenity at Château de la Carrière
Nestled within the walled garden lies a tranquil oasis – the swimming pool. Surrounded by the garden it’s the perfect place to unwind, soak up the sun and witness the spectacular sunsets over the greenhouse. The refurbished pool house contains BBQ with outdoor kitchen and shower/bathroom, a seamless fusion of luxury, comfort and convenience. Enjoy dinner at the dining table built under the umbrella trees or just relax on one of the sun loungers.
