Sadly, Penny Garnett, co-creator of The Garden of St Erth, passed away at the age of 99 in July. She was the less famous partner but the hard-working hands-on gardener – weeding and planting the Blackwood garden that she and Tommy established in the 1970s. During this time, Tommy was often distracted by his role as garden editor of The Age, a position he held until his death 19 years ago, at the age of 91.
Tommy and I had a lot in common, in that we both married ‘Penelopes’ and were both passionate gardeners, each instrumental in the launch of Victoria’s Open Garden Scheme and in offering the founding open gardens of St Erth and Heronswood.
Tommy was also the headmaster of Prince Charles during his year at Geelong Grammar School’s Timbertop outdoor campus. My very first garden was at Timbertop when, aged 15, I landscaped the F-unit lawn with a rockery. All three of us share gardening as our primary hobby, along with the commitment affirmed by King Charles to organic growing processes.
Penny Garnett was also a passionate and committed gardener. I will never forget the day when I called in to see Tommy early one morning, passing Penny on her way out to weed the garden. Whilst we fellows talked about plants and gardens all day long, Penny returned to the house some eight hours later, having single-handedly weeded the entire four-acre property!
The Garden of St Erth, as it stands today, is a testament to the energy, enthusiasm and expertise that Penny Garnett bestowed upon it during its evolution as an outstanding cool-climate garden in central Victoria
