A much admired Buxton garden thrives

Press, 3 May 1984, Page 16

A much admired Buxton garden thrives

On the edge of Merivale, one of the chief landmarks of the neighbourhood is the beautiful garden of Mr and Mrs George Glausiuss. The property was purchased about 40 years ago, and had been previously landscaped for the former owners by A. W. Buxton, a Christchurch garden designer. Buxton’s work was much in demand during the first half of this century. His firm designed many gardens in Christchurch and Canterbury, and in places as far apart as Hawke’s Bay and Southland.

The grounds of Parkdale, which became Mr and Mrs Glausiuss’ home, were laid out in Buxton’s “oriental” style, with small Japanese bridges crossing and recrossing the sparkling stream which winds through the garden.

The course of the stream was altered when the garden was constructed, and the water has been partially diverted to form an island.

Where the current is slowed by a bend, a small goldfish pond has been scooped out of the bank, in the shape of a half-moon. Wisteria covers a pergola and other “oriental” plants such as trachycarpus palms, flowering cherries, camellias, and rhododendrons have been planted in profusion.

The house rests on a sculptured, grassy terrace which interestingly has been continued along to the next two properties. The near neighbours also have a weeping elm in the garden, a tree which Buxton frequently planted, so it

seems that the three separate gardens might have been constructed as one landscape. The design of the garden comprises both informal and formal elements.

Below the pergola a rockery has been built into the high bank. It has tiny, hidden, meandering paths running through it. On the far bank is a formal terrace, with formal rosebeds in the lawn.

Parkdale is probably the best remaining example of Buxton’s work in Canterbury. Now, in its maturity, it gives much pleasure to the Glausiuss family, and to the people who pass by its gates. In the garden, it is the tall trees which give the greatest delight to Mr Glausiuss, although the effects of

a severe windstorm can be disastrous on them. However, as Mr Glausiuss considers that the trees were originally planted too closely he thinks that sometimes a storm can have an overall good effect, opening up the garden to more sun and air.

The trees require much care. Mr Glausiuss ensures that they receive a considerable amount of attention from expert tree surgeons. To maintain this lovely garden in its full beauty is a rather demanding occupation. One of the greatest difficulties experienced in recent years is the scarcity of skilled and experienced part-time gardeners available to help with the work. If the garden is to remain faithful to its original design, then something more than casual maintenance is required. This year all the lawns were renewed.

The paths throughout the garden are made of grass and it is a struggle to maintain adequate grass growth in the shade of the trees. A few years ago the banks of the stream needed to be extensively repaired following a flood which swept through the garden. Constant attention is required to clear debris, brought down by the stream, which is deposited around the bridges. One of the garden jobs which Mr Glausiuss is most particular about is the neat edge to the lawns. When he has the opportunity, he prefers to do the work himself, to ensure that this is properly attended to.

He also pays careful attention to some of the shrubs which have been traditionally close clipped ’into rounded shapes. As an antidote to this formality, he likes to encourage the growth of flaxes and ferns to soften edges, and to lend a natural feeling to the garden. Mrs Glausiuss enjoys the flowers. The rose garden is perhaps her favourite part, although it is really the garden in its entirety which holds her affection. “It has its own unique character now,” she says, “and I wouldn’t like to alter that in any way.” Attending to the underplanting beneath the trees is her chief occupation in the garden. Where possible she has

added dwarf rhododendrons and evergreen azaleas, and around the roots of the trees she is trying to establish little “English” woodland plants such as wood anemones, celendines, bluebells, and daffodils. She has also planted masses of violets on the island — reminders of her native North Country hedgerows. In the moist bog garden beneath the road bridge she has established stately candelabra primulas, Japanese and Louisiana irises and neat masses of frothj astilbes to supplement the colony of kingcups. About 15 years ago, Mr Glausiuss replaced a rather decayed and straggly macrocarpa boundary hedge with a sturdy, stone block wall.

He admits to take a fair amount of criticism for this, but on busy crossroads, the walls offer a buffer against traffic noise and provide the enclosure which is necessary for such a garden. Close to the gates, the ironwork was continued to allow glimpses of the stream and bridges from the footpath. “People in the neighbourhood seem to enjoy the view,” remarks Mr Glausiuss, “but sometimes when we have coachloads of tourists stopped at the gate it makes us feel a little like monkeys in a cage.” Although caring for the garden brings concerns, Mr and Mrs Glausiuss much enjoy the special atmosphere which it provides, and which was created many years ago.