Kathy Budd has spent the past 11 years shaping what she fondly calls her “little bit of paradise”.

Originally from New South Wales, Kathy chose retirement in Lesmurdie for its proximity to family, but it is her garden that has truly captured her heart.

The property, previously owned by a nursery operator, came with strong bones and well-established deciduous trees.

These provide structure and shade, while Kathy’s passion for tropicals is expressed through lush underplantings of ferns and begonias. Foliage, more than flowers, reigns supreme.

A member of the WA Fern Society, Kathy’s love of foliage is immediately evident.

Her favourite space is the “collector corner”, a cool, shady retreat brimming with treasured plants — in the ground, potted and hanging.

Here, ferns of every description — including delicate maidenhair ferns — along with tractor seat plants, begonias and bromeliads, thrive in carefully managed shade and humidity created by 70 per cent shade cloth.

Added recently, this has made all the difference for shade lovers and helps deter persistent possums.

Staghorn and elkhorn ferns are mounted on trees, while hanging baskets soften the space and draw the eye upward.

Kathy also has a good collection of pitcher plants. These are blooming now and always make me laugh — they really are funny-looking flowers.

There’s a soothing soundtrack to the garden — water features gently trickling and birds tweeting — never interrupted by machinery.

Kathy dislikes the sound of noisy blowers, choosing instead to sweep daily, maintaining a sense of calm and connection with her outdoor life. There’s not a leaf out of place.

Quirky plant choices add personality, from monkey’s tail cacti with their striking orange flowers to “don’t touch me” rat’s tail cactus and Bowiea volubilis (climbing onion).

A frog pond adds life and biodiversity, while fertilising is handled sustainably by recycling aquarium water when the tank and filter are cleaned, along with sheep manure and council compost from the FOGO system.

Kathy hand-waters daily with bore water, a routine that adds another layer to her connection with nature.

Seasonal care is a thoughtful process. This winter, Kathy plans to move her prized ‘Queensland’ tropicals and cold-tender plants to the north-facing veranda, installing plastic blinds to protect them from the cold.

Maintenance is a family affair. Her son has assisted with the shade cloth installation, and her young grandson mows the buffalo lawn weekly, keeping it in tip-top condition.

Earlier this year, Kathy had the lawn vertimowed, and it has responded beautifully. Her grandson has contributed a charming handmade windmill that now sits proudly in the back garden.

Perhaps the most dedicated routine happens in the dark of night.

Each evening, armed with a head torch and long tweezers, Kathy heads out on slug patrol, carefully removing them from her beloved plants. Evenings pass quickly for this gardener while she checks out all the nightlife in the garden.

There’s no stopping Kathy, who is cultivating so much more than a garden. She’s creating an ever-evolving sanctuary rich in texture, care and quiet joy.