Visiting my Favourite Nursery...Aspidistra!

Willie Schmidt is the mastermind behind this beautiful nursery and every single time I visit, there are new things to experience, frequently changes that make me gasp from sheer enjoyment of this exceedingly creative landscape designer's talent. 

Today, we decided to have breakfast in the nursery's charming tea garden under the trees before spending a couple of hours quietly taking in the many, many captivating scenes in the nursery's garden itself. 

 Willie is incredibly gifted and every which way you turn, there are surprises waiting to delight and astound. You find yourself thinking, "Why hadn't I thought of that?"

 His style is eclectic and he works with a lot of rusty, throw-away objects sourced from all over. He has the knack of creating multiple tableaux newly set up but giving the impression of having been there for ages. I have often said I wish he could bottle his genius and sell it.

His nursery has been featured on Pasella, a much loved South African Afrikaans TV magazine programme, on several occasions and he has been interviewed by and featured in several media publications over the years, yet to meet Willie, your first impression is of a man who shuns fame.

 His nursery and artistry are his abiding passions and he 'lives' his chosen career with great conviction. He  and his wife have created a beautiful home in much the same style as his nursery. I would absolutely love to be able to visit his private garden, which one can get a glimpse of when visiting the nursery, but which is not open for public viewing.

Do you have an old aviary? Make a feature of it by planting up some attractive specimen plants.

Old enamelware pails? Easy...just pop in a few bright flowering plants and get an instant wow factor!

Who says knickknacks have no place outdoors?

Striking simplicity masterfully executed using everyday toss away items.

Take a piece of old wood, a pretty tin and two tin birds...

The old wheelbarrow is too rusty to use as a planter? Easy! Just suspend it on its side and you have a striking garden ornament!

Here, Willie has used a plank of old wood, a couple of old tools and a section of rusty tin to clever effect to create an eye catching planter.

Refurbishing the bathroom? What to do with the old bath? Just put it in the garden and create an attractive water feature!

Don't throw away your broken pottery!

Even builder's rubble is put to good use!

Have an old door to play around with?  

This is not one of Willie's creations. He promotes the work of a number of very talented artists who work with reclaimed materials. This lady is particularly talented!

Willie turns everything into water features. There is no end to his imagination in this regard. 

Nothing is deemed too ugly to use. Even a piece of worn picket fencing finds a spot as an art piece!

Don't throw away any old pots or pieces of wood. Everything can be turned into something unique.

As usual, I took many, many pictures, far too many to share in a single post. I am going to have to do several posts in order to do justice to today's visit. (To see my first ever post on Aspidistra, please click the link HERE )