Linda McLean’s garden of treasures

In between sprawling yards of manicured grass, towering gum trees and flowering crepe myrtles, Mrs McLean has created a space where what might have been others’ trash has become her treasure.

So much so, that among those who know her and her hairdressing clients, the phrase “take it to Linda’s garden” is commonly uttered.

“I’ve got a lot of elderly clients and they just love it; when they feel they don’t want something any more, they just bring it over,” she said.

“But I also do love when clients come and they see their stuff in the garden, they get such a kick out of it.”

According to Mrs McLean, 10 years ago the property was bare, with the only life being native trees.

Now the Mooroopna block is home to two goats (Frank and Frankie), Rita the cat, soon to be several chooks — and all complete with resident security guard Kevin the dog.

But the animal life isn’t what gives the yard a sense of liveliness; instead, it’s Mrs McLean’s creative flair.

Ten years of repurposing has left Mrs McLean with some rare items, such as the retired V-Line seat that made its way to the garden bed, or her mother’s Bessemer ware casserole dish, now hanging from a tree as a bird feeder.

Each item fits seamlessly within the garden, holding memories of a previous life.

Among the collection are two vintage wheelbarrows, one filled with a grouping of succulents and the other with vibrant red flowers; a bed-head repurposed for climbing roses to make their own; and a gazebo, once destined to become scrap metal before being saved.

“My husband often comes home and says, ‘what have you done now?’” she said with a laugh.

“His domain’s the grass, he’s not allowed to touch the garden.”

The garden has become a place of solace for Mrs McLean — each afternoon she finds herself in the thick of it, relishing the quiet.

Mrs McLean said gardening hadn’t always been a passion, it was only after moving out of town on to the sizeable property that she grew a real appreciation for cultivating.

“A lot of the larger trees were already here when we moved, but all the lower bushes have come from clients’ cuttings and plants they’ve brought me,” she said.

“When they come, they say, ‘oh, where did you plant it?’ I give them a tour and say, ‘here it is, it’s growing really well.’

“It’s just lovely, I’m always moving things around.”

While much of the eclectic collection is made up of bits and pieces, found or given, over the years Mrs McLean’s garden has become something of a shared space for her clients, friends and family to leave their mark.

“When my nana passed away, one of my clients gave me a beautiful rose,” she said.

“So she’s always out here in the garden now.”