Paradise in Rose Villa

Rose Villa lives up to its name. Large gates and a 'be ware of dogs' no- tice may deter the casual visitor, but once within the grounds, the scent of spices in the crisp Bandarawela air is a clear giveaway that this is no ordinary property.

Rose Villa's owners, like many ex-planters never abandoned their love for plants. In fact Lorraine Moonasinghe, took up what was once a pleasant pastime with more zeal when she and her husband Sumedha bought the 'Cedars Bungalow' the home of a certain Dr. Blaze, a few miles off Bandarawela in 1987. The grounds were bare and Lorraine set to work. Today, only the presence of old snapshots reveal that this is the same garden.

At Rose Villa a profusion of plants, flowering shrubs, vegetables and vines all vie for attention. Left to grow as nature intended, the rose plants dwarf the people and Lorraine laughs that she has often to use a hook to pull them down when she wants to cut them. Her collection of roses would turn other enthusiasts green, for not only does she have hundreds of varieties but she also makes good use of any trips abroad to collect rarer ones. Friends knowing her passion, also oblige with plants, recently she received fushias from the Chelsea Flower Show. "I never shop for clothes," Lorraine smiles, 'only plants.'

Not an inch of space in the Rose Villa garden goes to waste. Carrots, camomile, lettuce, strawberries, brussels sprouts and a host of other herbs and vegetables flourish amongst the terraced rose beds. Pepper and coffee climb up the trees and banks, pear, apple, tree tomatoes and mulberry grow alongside, in glorious confusion.

But what makes this garden special? It is that it is organic. Years ago, tired of continually spraying weedicides and pesticides and fertilizers, Lorraine decided she would use nature's materials. Compost heaps are kept in various corners and each terraced bed has its layers of dried leaves and cowdung. Her other magic material is ash. Every scrap of cardboard, paper and refuse is burnt and the ash is used to keep the insects away.

"Giving up the sprays was extremely difficult," Lorraine admits. "It took me years to make my mind but I believe the plants have thrived." Of that there is no doubt. But Lorraine will concede that it is an ongoing battle. "For every perfect bud, there is one where the petals have been eaten by worms." Yet this is a fact of life and she sees no reason to hide it. What matters is that all the flowers and vegetables grow here, even camellias from Australia and a rare New Guinea creeper, its scarlet blossoms dazzling in the morning sunshine.

Having changed her way of life, not only her garden. Lorraine is continuously finding new ways to recycle materials. She collects all used tins and cans and uses them to grow her young plants. "So you don't need a large garden, even a balcony can be lined with plants this way," she says.

Rose Villa is also listed in the Ceylon Tourist Board's accommodation guide and the Moonesinghes let out a few rooms in their home for those seeking a relaxed holiday amidst a natural setting. Guests, especially foreigners have waxed eloquent. As one put it, 'Rose Villa is a garden of Eden in Paradise."

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