Gardens get a glow-up

In 2019, Hall & Prior’s then-Landscape Supervisor Josh Petrusma and his gardening team worked hard to improve the look and feel of the site.

Mertome’s gardens have always been an important and much-loved part of the Village’s appealing surroundings, but by 2019, they needed some TLC.

“One of our first tasks was to prune back any heavy branches which were in danger of falling,” Josh said.

“Our ultimate aim was to bring more colour, vibrancy and continuity to the site, so it was important to have a plan so we could create a cohesive theme.

“We identified several high profile areas and upgraded them by removing any dead or unattractive plants, then we brought in a range of native plants with lots of colour.”

By including Australian plants such as kangaroo paw, banksia, tea tree and bottle brush, the gardens not only look beautiful, they will also require less long-term maintenance because they are already naturally adapted to our environment.

The space in front of the home’s front entrance has been transformed with the addition of a sitting area, fountain and lots of greenery.

It’s not just people who love the changeslocal birds moved in almost immediately and are enjoying the range of native plants.

“The fountain and the sitting area around it was created as a place for people to take in some fresh air,” he said.

“Our aim was not to limit people to just enjoying the inside of the facility, this is a nice spot to sit and enjoy with family and visitors.”

Blooming Treat

Visitors to Mertome can’t fail to be impressed by the gardens, a labour of love for many residents.

Their work didn’t stop at the external gardens, with the aged care home’s five internal courtyards also getting some much-needed attention.

A newly opened Memory Support Unit surrounded a courtyard which focused on stimulating each of the five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste and smell.

Research has shown that being in a garden and sharing a space with other people can have physical, cognitive and social benefits, and helps to reduce stress levels.

“We incorporated plants and flowers with lots of colour and texture, and included wind chimes and a misting kit to make a bit of extra noise,” Josh said.