Trees were the first thing Fran Rawling put in the ground on arriving at their Abbotsford property on the outskirts of Dunedin 33 years ago. Trees were selected to cover all seasonal changes and colour interests, and included oaks, elms, elders, malus and other specimen trees.
GUY FREDERICK/NZ GARDENER/Stuff
Pink repeat flowering roses in the garden surrounding the house. Several years later Rawling recalls her excitement when noticing that two trees she had planted “as lollipops in the ground” had matured and finally touched. Rawling even ran to husband Mike to share the moment, but his reaction to the sight was a little more restrained.