Members of the Bathurst Garden Club spent several hours at Daffodil Cottage on Saturday rejuvenating the garden after it had to be removed during the recent works to extend the building. 

President Karen Granger said that before the builders started on the premises, she and other volunteers went in to remove and save as many of the existing plants as they could.

It was a joy for them to be back there on the weekend to return the plants to their rightful place, with a few new additions.

“We normally have a working bee to weed the garden, but this time it was planting,” Ms Granger explained.

“We had members of the garden club contribute plants for the garden, so even if they couldn’t be there they could still help.”

Bathurst Garden Club has long had an association with the cancer treatment facility, coming to maintain the garden for many years.

Members will continue to keep the garden in the best shape possible, but have also been able to make the job easier by installing a watering system and being strategic with the plants they put in the ground.

“It was mainly things that were nice and cheery and that were sensory, something with a bit of perfume,” Ms Granger said.

“Also, things that are low maintenance, so the staff don’t have to look after them too much. We put in a lot of perennials and evergreens, so there is not much maintenance.”

The members of the club believe the garden will be at its best by late spring and into the start of summer.

“Putting [the garden] in in autumn is a good time so you don’t have to look after them through their first summer,” Ms Granger added.

The Bathurst Garden Club will return to Daffodil Cottage soon to finish off its work by adding a feature tree in the front courtyard and trimming the hedges.