RB Sellars x Bush Journal - May 2024
In gardens, we grow hope
Sunset hangs over Mona Vane garden, making the late afternoon sky blush. Among the pretty cosmos, thriving zinnias and heady roses, Jessica Taylor watches her three little girls play in the cool sprinkler mist as the heat of another day evaporates. “The garden is like my fourth child,” Jess laughs. “Being able to wrap your arms around it and give it all your love.”
On this 45-acre property just outside Warren, 120 kilometres north-west of Dubbo in sun-baked central western New South Wales, Jess built this verdant sanctuary from dust. A born nurturer, she’s raising three-year-old twins Audrey and Eliza and five-year-old Elsie with her husband James (aka JT), while lovingly tending to the stunning garden, which has more than 7,300 admirers on Instagram. You might say she’s obsessed. “I just read gardening books, I watch gardening shows, and then I’m flat out on Instagram just scrolling and saving,” she says. “It’s a good obsession to have.”
The outdoorsy family bought the place in 2015, and lived with the grounds as they were for the first few years. But in 2019 Jess’ mother Maureen died of lung cancer, and Jess’ mental health hit rock bottom. “I had postnatal depression, I’ve had anxiety my whole life, and then throw in three tiny kids and a mum that died — I’ve been on the biggest rollercoaster of all,” she says. She found solace in the fertile river dirt of the land. “The garden has saved me in so many ways.”
Jess inherited a green thumb from her mother. “My mum loved to garden. She would always grow seedlings and try different things,” Jess says. Being a mum herself means continuing the legacy. “I hope that I can pass on that love for gardening and being outside, being in nature, to my kids,” Jess says. “Elsie loves flowers,” she adds, proudly.
A self-described novice gardener, Jess teaches herself by trial and error, and says help from family, friends and the generous Warren township is invaluable. “Warren’s got the most beautiful, kind-hearted, close-knit community — everyone wants to help everyone out.” Which is fortunate when obstacles are endless: the extreme climate and remote location mean water is often scarce, and local nurseries are non-existent. “Gardening in the bush is challenging,” Jess says wryly.
So she chooses “unfussy” plants, and takes a casual approach, scattering seeds like chook food. “I don’t have time to plant them!” she laughs. And her gorgeous Instagram grid is another lifeline that sustains her. “The community and the connections, the friendships, the knowledge we share — it is so beautiful.”
Jess’ favourite outdoor sit-spot is in a special memorial chair for her mum. It’s the perfect perch to sit and soak up the goodness of her garden, and feel gratitude for all that comes with busy family life. “I sit there having a coffee watching the sunrise, or having a beer as the kids play and watching the sunset. That’s the thing about living in the outback — you can see a sunrise and sunset from the same spot. We are so lucky.”