By Benjamin Millar
Footscray ceramicist and keen home gardener David Elliot will be opening his garden oasis to visitors this weekend. He speaks with Benjamin Millar
What’s your connection with the inner-west?
My partner and I moved to Yarraville in 2000, from East St Kilda, as it was more affordable at the time. I was frustrated by the limited gardening space we had, so in 2009 we moved to our current house in Footscray, with a much bigger backyard.
What do you like most about the area?
I love the diversity in the people and shops, and how resistant it has been to gentrification despite the changing demographics.
What are your favourite local places?
I love the Plough Hotel for pizza, Sapa Hills for Vietnamese, any of the East African restaurants, and Los Polos for Mexican.
What spurred your love of gardening?
There was a latent interest as I grew up, with parents who were keen gardeners. I was a late bloomer and I think pursuing ceramics in my 30s helped me develop an appreciation of form and colour which I eventually found in plants and landscaping.
What are the challenges and rewards?
Keeping up the water in summer and managing pests, especially with the food producing plants, are the biggest challenges. The rewards come in the form of the flowers, fabulous foliage and fruit and vegetables.
What can you tell us about your ceramics?
My interest in ceramics was reignited when I began making hanging pots for my orchid collection and it has evolved into my current business “buzzby and fang”, named after our two dogs.
What is something people may be surprised to learn about you?
I grew up in Canada with a menagerie of pets, mostly rescued, including a skunk called Mortimer.
David’s Garden at 16 Central Avenue, Footscray, will be open to visitors from 10am to 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22. Entry is $8, children under-18 free. David will demonstrate fig tree grafting at 11am both days. Further details: www.opengardensvictoria.org.au
