Self Guided Tour 

Welcome to Mill Road Pocket Forest 

We hope you enjoy your visit to our restorative community garden and it sparks some interesting discussions. The Pocket Forest is intended to inspire community conversation about the role of plant choices and garden design in creating fire safer gardens and townships.  Most but not all plants in the garden are considered fire safer choices. It is also a space to just be and enjoy what a garden can offer. 

Site History | In 1994, following its closure,  ownership of  the Onkaparinga Woollen Mill site was transferred to the local council. The route of Mill Road was altered,  necessitating the demolition of a number of buildings on the south-west corner of the main site. Among those buildings demolished were some of the earliest structures on the site dating from the 1870's. A remnant of the Brick Boiler Chimney, which was built in 1877, remains and is State Heritage listed.

The 1877 brick boiler chimney was used to vent smoke produced by burning firewood which heated the water in the boiler. The boiler produced steam powering the engine and in turn machinery such as the looms, carding mills and spinning machines. Prior to 1877,  the spinning machine was horse powered.

A native garden was planted round the Chimney as a town beautification project in 2000 by the then Lobethal Commerce Association. The garden was destroyed by the 2019 Cudlee Creek Fires. The Mill Road pocket Forest is a bush fire recovery initiative of the Lobethal Community Association, in partnership with Adelaide Hills Council.   The original but now disused old Mill Road has been repurposed as a walking trail through the centre of the Pocket Forest and seating was installed mid 2022. 

The Heritage Wall | Planted 2020

Start at the car park ... 

which is surrounded on 3 sides by the old factory walls of the State Heritage listed Onkaparinga Woollen Mills. 

The small garden bed has a 'Luscious' Kanook or Water Gum, (Tristaniopsis Laurina) often planted as a native alternative to the Magnolia.  Two Correa (Correa Alba)  shrubs have been shaped and the third shows its natural form.

Trailing ground covers provide a living mulch.  Different forms of Myoporum ( Myoporum  parvifolium ) as well as the Cut Leaf Daisy (Brachycombe 'Break of Day';) and Native Primrose  (Goodenia blackiana )  have been used. 

Strap leaved & reedy plants such as Lomandra,  Kangaroo Paw and Dianella provide architectural effect and a long-lived show of flowers or seed.  Contrast is provided by the blue grey of the ‘Chalk Sticks’ Senecio and a small hedge of Bush Germander  (Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum'),. 

Pocket Forest Corner | Planted 2020 

Cross to the western side of Mill Road ... 

where our small forest of trees is flourishing.  A mix of native and exotic trees have been used. The selection criteria which make these trees fire safer choices include: 

• dense canopies to reduce oxygen supply to fire and intercept embers; 

• foliage that doesn't contain volatile oils and easily rots; wood that doesn't burn well or catch alight immediately;  

• no tendency to to die off in the centre, hold dead wood or drop limbs and no fibrous or hanging bark.

The intent is to create a 'green shield' to slow fire speed and intensity and  to intercept embers. As the planting is highly visible at the entrance to Lobethal, all plants are  long lived, easily maintained, hardy and attractive all year round.

The trees located on the corner are:   

1. Red  Maple ( Acer Rubrum 'Fairview Flame )  

2. Native Frangipani  ( Hymenosporum Flavum ) 

3. 'Strawberry Guava' ( Psidium cattleyanum )   

4. 'Natchez' Crepe Myrtle ( Lagerstroemia ) 

5. Pistachio; ( Pistacia vera )

6. 'Plena' (Crab Apple) (Malus ioensis )

7. Chinese Pistachio ( Pistacia chinnsis )

8. Scarlet Oak    ( Quercus Coccinea ) 

Prior to the 2019 Cudlee Creek fires, the site included 5 large Sydney Blue Gums,  two of which remain.  The wood from the three trees which were significantly damaged during the 2019 bush fires has been recycled and used to create pathway edging and low seating. 

Shrubs that attract birds and insects, are low maintenance and provide ornamental interest have been used. Examples include Westringia 'Highlight' and 'Smokey'; and Olearia.  Those with silver foliage and high salt content leaves such as Spiny Saltbush  ( Rhagodia Spinescens )  and Cushion Bush  ( Leucophyta brownii ) are considered to be less susceptible to fire. 

Elements of design have been repeated throughout the site, including the use of ground covers to create a green mulch and strap leafed plants.  Plants such as Karkalla (Carpobrotis Rossii) have been introduced both for erosion control and fire retardant characteristics.  Their prostrate carpet of moist leaf would steam during a fire.   Pops of yellow from Billy Buttons ( Pycnosorus globosus )  and  Grey Cotton heads ( Conostylis candicans )   contrast with the purple of the Mexican Bush Sage.( Salvia Leucantha ) in spring.  Hebes provide vibrancy through flower and foliage.

A new addition planted in 2024 is the Camellia Japonica, 'Volunteer' This Camellia was developed in New Zealand and  named ‘Volunteer’ to commemorate The International Year of Volunteers in 2001. 

the Chimney Slope, south of the Blue Gum| Planted 2021 

Wander north along the along the footpath, towards the Chimney...

The main slope adjacent to the footpath has several different planting zones.  The footpath edge has our old friend myoporum planted to cascade over the rocks. Tall Green Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos flavidus) provide structure whilst Hebe 'Turkish Delight' .provide contrast. The tall Kangaroo Paw is a long lived plant. It's leathery, dark green leaves are very tough and tend to hold up well against leaf blackening (often referred to as ink spot). 

A strip of silver foliage plants .includes Succulent Pigs Ears (Cotyledon orbiculata); Liquorice Plant ( Helichrysum petiolare );  Silver bush ( Convolvulus cneorum )  and Cushion bush ( Leucophyta brownii).   

The mid slope has been planted out with a wave of strap leaved plants such as  Lomandra;  Dianella and Ficinia Nodosa,  all tough Australian natives which offer erosion control. The Lomandra  are recognised as having fire retardant leaves.

The trees on the upper slope are Cercis Siliquastrium (Judas Tree)  and  Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna'. 

This zone is dominated by hardy natives such as Maireana Brevifolia (Cotton Bush or small leaf blue bush); Rhagodia parabolica (Fragrant Saltbush); Rhagodia candolleana (Seaberry Saltbush);  Correa 'alba' compact;  Correa Decumbens (Spreading Correa) ;  Hardenbergia violacea' (Native Lilac );  Einadia Nutens (Nodding Saltbush) and Atriplex Semibaccata (Berry Saltbush).

Just before you reach the large Blue Gum, you will see Ajuga australis, the Austral Bugle. This low growing native perennial adds a small splash of purple near the chimney. Correa 'alba' compact are planted around a Waratah (Telopea 'Essie's Gift' ). The Waratah has been included as an example of a Fire Resilient plant. 

Waratahs evolved with fire and have an adaption to withstand bush fires. They regenerate with the help of a modified stem called a lignotuber, close to and below the ground, from which masses of fresh shoots emerge after a bush fire and the plant survives.

the Slope between the Blue Gum and the Chimney | Planted 2022 

Black Border Phormiums and a silver leafed Helichrysum petiolare (Liquorice plant) have been used as feature plants.  Tanika lomandra has been used as a soft leaved edging plant. For erosion control, Lomandra longifolia has been planted. Tough grey leafed Correa reflexa var. nummularia complete the decorative effect. 

Directly behind the Chimney, the hardy succulent Carpobrotis Modustus (Noonflower) has been planted en mass. 

the Slope north of the Chimney | Planted 2023 

Red Border Phormiums and silver leafed Ballota pseudodictamnus 'Dwarf' have been planted, referencing the colors of the stone and brickwork of the old chimney. A steep gradient creates both an erosion issue and a planting challenge in this space. Soil quality is variable, with a lot of rubble, stone and brick. Consequently a 'pocket planting' method was used. Small pockets were dug to plant into creating both footholds for volunteers and a way of slowing down water movement on the slope to enable water to soak into the soil. 

Lomandra Longifolia have been used again to assist with erosion control. The roots of the lomandra plant penetrate wide and deep into the soil, binding it together and helping to prevent erosion caused by water runoff.  Tough, limestone lover, Westringia ( Dampieri ) and Rhagodia spinescens 'Aussie Flat Bush'™ saltbush cascade down the hillside. Tall red Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos flavidus)provide colour and structural interest. 

Continue walking along the footpath and then head up the hill to the walking trail. From here you will have including Lobethal Bierhaus, Udder Delights Cheese, Emmalines Bake House and Fabrik Arts & Heritage. 

the walking trail, north of the Chimney | planted 2023/4 

As you walk up the slope, edges are planted with several different species of Lomandra, variegated coprosma bushes and westringia. . Closer to the Chimney is a 'split' hedge of Syzygium australe  'Sunset Delight',  alternated with Lomandra 'Hystrix'.

the Walking Trail south of the Chimney| Planted 2021

On the eastern side is our  ‘avenue of trees’ consisting of : 

1. 'Elvins' (Flowering Plum).  Prunus cerasifera 

2. 5 x Pyrus calleryana 'Capital Ornamental Pear' 

3. Malus ioensis 'Plena' Betchel's Crab Apple

4. a Mulberry 'Red Shartoot' ; 

5. a Feijoa sellowiana; 

Hebes ' Snowdrift '; 'Blue Gem' and 'Inspiration' have been planted.  

Walking south,  Lomandra 'Tanika' edges the rocks.to the west side for the majority of the length of the walkway. 

The slope above the walking trail is being managed as a biodiversity zone, with native grasses being encouraged.

Kangaroo Grasses have self seeded in this area. This grass has been identified as a Fire retardant plant as per SA Country Fire Service. Kangaroo Grass can remain a ‘low-biomass’, spring and summer-growing native grass,

with significantly lower potential fire intensity and flame height than many exotic grasses if well managed. 

the Boundary with the Neighbor | Planted 2021

The neighboring property owner's home garden was significantly impacted by the bush fire.  Above the stone walling note the trees which survived the 2019 Cudlee Creek fires and may have assisted in protecting the house - Wisteria, Magnolia, Camellia and Oak. The roses and agapanthus have regrown after significant fire damage.  

New plantings by the Pocket Forest Volunteers include Viburnum tinus 'Laurustinus'; Dodonea Viscosa (Sticky Hop Bush) ; Hardenbergia violacea' (Native Lilac )  and Atriplex Nummularia.

Retrace your steps to return to the car park... feeling relaxed and rejuvenated after time in the garden.

A complete list of all plants used in the Pocket Forest can be found on our 'Resources' page. ,  

What’s next?

Regular updates appear on the Lobethal Community Association Face book page.