The entry to Ferris Lane

For several years, a friend of mine who lives in Annandale, in Sydney's inner west, has been telling me about a wonderful lane near to her home, known to the locals as the Magic Lane. In a transformation reminiscent of (and indeed inspired by) the garden at Lavender Bay made by Wendy Whiteley, Ferris Lane (between 66 and 68 Ferris Street) - once a disused lane full of 'rubbish, rats and wasps' - has been turned into a green oasis for all-comers to enjoy. I finally got to visit the lane recently with my friend, and I was captivated by what I found.

Kathy and Michael in the lane before its transformation

Kathy and Michael in the lane before its transformation

The project is the creation of nearby resident and passionate gardener Kathy O'Donnell, with the help of her husband, Michael. Seven years ago, Kathy saw the potential to make what she likes to describe as an 'urban inclusive green space' for the community. The lane had been closed off to traffic for a number of decades previously, and it had a hideously weed-ridden garden bed along one side. This spot was where Kathy began to make the garden, originally planting herbs. Over time, more and more plants were added in pots. Many of the plants were donated by locals: some were rescued from building sites; others had been dumped unwanted on the footpaths, or found as giveaways on community websites - and they all found a new life in the evolving garden. Council clean-ups became a great source of pots and other items to decorate the lane. Initially, water for the plants had to be bucketed from Kathy's home, but later the council installed a tap, which made things easier.

Ferris Lane as it is today

Ferris Lane as it is today

All the plants are flourishing and spill out luxuriantly across the lane, softening hard edges and appearing to grow from the ground! Taller shrubs and even small trees in pots provide valuable height and interesting silhouettes to the scene. A profusion of flowers delights the eye: various Salvia and Plectranthus varieties, numerous daisies, Pelargoniums galore and Canna. The blooms attract birds and a diversity of insects into the lane, bringing it alive with their activity. Shallow bowls of water are provided for these and other wildlife visitors, such as lizards.

Colour and textures amongst the plantings in the lane

Colour and textures amongst the plantings in the lane

Much of the vibrant colour of the plantings comes from decorative foliage, such as coleus, Tradescantia zebrina, Alternanthera, bromeliads and variegated spider plant. I enjoyed the way these leaves were used in colour echoes with adjacent flowers or objects, such as the pink centre of a coleus paired with the inflorescence of Aechmea gamosepala (pictured above). Nearby a golden-yellow trike is combined with a similarly hued coleus. Plants with fragrant leaves, such as lavender, pineapple sage and scented-leaf geraniums, invite touch to release their perfumes. Other plants provide varied textures, such as grassy-looking Liriope, lacy ferns, the fingered foliage of palms, and dainty, round-leaved Evolvulus.

A tea party for teddy bears in the lane

A tea party for teddy bears in the lane

A collection of whimsical objects throughout the space brought a smile to my face: old wire birdcages with potted plants growing through them; a life-sized scarecrow brandishing a rake; a number of pairs of old gumboots planted with sculptural succulents; assorted metal watering cans and old gates; and toys tucked here and there, inhabiting a magical green world. A teddies' tea party set-up with child-sized table and chairs enchants young children coming to the lane.

Ladders used as plant stands in the lane

Ladders used as plant stands in the lane

Other dolls and quirky figures perch atop various ladders against the lane walls. These ladders provide further height for the garden space as well as places to display potted succulents, housed in brightly hued nursery pots, bringing extra colour to the scene. An easel at one end of the garden showcases a 'painting' made entirely of succulents.

Gum boots used as pots in the garden

Gum boots used as pots in the garden

The lane continues to evolve. Plants and objects are donated on an ongoing basis. A street library and a seed bank have been added, housed in a cute wooden structure at the Ferris Road end of the lane. Christmas parties for the community are held each year in the lane, and last year a market offered handmade items by local artists, and a stall with plants grown from cuttings from the lane. After concerted lobbying by the community, last year the lane was approved by Transport for NSW to be permanently closed to vehicular traffic (though it remains a pedestrian thoroughfare) so that its future would be secure. Various roadworks are in progress to achieve this end. The space should properly now be known as â??former Ferris Laneâ?? because of this change!

One of the tables in the lane

One of the tables in the lane

One important aspect of the space has been the provision over time of a number of benches, chairs and tables, inviting visitors to sit down and immerse themselves in the beauty of this place - and to bring a coffee or even a meal. Research shows more and more convincingly the importance of our having regular contact with nature, with its benefits of improving our mood, reducing our stress levels and helping our general wellbeing - what we gardeners have always known! In inner city areas, where outdoor space is at a premium and where many residents don't have their own gardens, these sorts of places are precious resources to allow people to simply be in nature, with the added bonus of providing a spot for community members to meet and connect. There are also so many great ideas in the lane for those who do have gardens - how to maximise the space available, how to repurpose found objects to embellish a garden scene, and how to combine plants together in skilful ways. Let's hope it can inspire many more such places to be created in our city.