What began as a passing interest grew into a hobby, then a niche collection, and has now become a full-blown obsession, according to ABC’s Gardening Australia. Some gardeners are happy with a lemon tree and a tomato patch. Cyrus Roussilhes, from Perth’s southern suburbs, wanted much more. His garden is packed with exotic fruit trees from all over the world, from coffee and jaboticaba to java plum and plenty of oddities. And by his own admission, he can’t help but bring home a few more every month.
Cyrus moved to the property in 2008 and has since planted hundreds of trees across just 350 square metres.
Then there’s the “beef and onion” plant, whose savoury leaves are reminiscent of a rich broth or soup. That’s a modest suburban garden, yet it holds an astonishing variety. He isn’t limited to fruit that tastes great, either. He’s curious about all fruiting plants, including ones with tiny fruit or unusual flavours. It’s a good reminder that a garden doesn’t have to follow the usual rules to be rewarding, and that curiosity can fill even the smallest space. It contains oxalates and cyanide, so it can only be eaten after cooking. Each plant has its own story, and some come with their own warning label if you want to eat them.
Cyrus also grows many plants in pots, and he says it’s easy. He also says plants often fruit sooner when they’re grown in pots. With so many plants in one place, the garden works in layers. Larger trees provide dappled shade and shelter for the smaller plants beneath them. In that gentle light, a coffee plant (Coffea cv.) is thriving and loaded with fruit, and a large java plum (Syzygium cumini) has just started to fruit. It’s how a natural forest works, with each layer helping the next, and it lets a small block hold far more plants than you’d expect. Pots can be moved indoors if the weather gets too hot or too cold. Excess water drains into the soil beneath them, which helps water the larger trees in the garden. For renters, balcony gardeners and anyone short on space, that’s encouraging. Cyrus’s collection shows that you can follow a passion and plant something a little different in your garden. You don’t need a big block, just curiosity and a willingness to experiment. And you never know where it may lead.