ABSTRACT
On a hill close to the centre of Wollongong, New South Wales, remnant stands of spotted gum (Eucalyptus maculata) are protected in a small formal reserve and in some private gardens. Three different householders living on different sides of that hill represent some of the variability in how Australians understand and experience gardens, nature and weeds. Lennie and Connie’s backyard was dominated by an extensive vegetable garden and chook shed maintaining traditions they brought from Italy more than 40 years previously. The productive vegetable garden was meticulously weeded. Lennie had established some small vegetable beds on the adjacent reserve, where he also grazed his rabbits in their mobile hutch. He was very careful to protect spotted gum seedlings, which he marked with stakes and tape, and was in active discussions with the local council officers about these activities. In talking about his garden, Lennie did not talk about endangered species but rather about productivity and his family and being involved with the soil. Nevertheless the outcome was ongoing stewardship of a locally endangered species.
