“There were two main factors that drove the need for change on that sunny, gravel front terrace,” says Brockhoff. “Firstly, we had children, which meant a change in the way our garden was used, from passive to active recreation. I found many of the succulents just didn’t survive the rough and tumble. Then the olives grew into larger trees, creating shade and competition beneath them. The planting needed to adapt to these developments.

The original planting of Karkalla was largely experimental to see what would succeed on this windswept, salty site. Brockhoff’s favourites include the silver South African succulent Cotyledon orbiculata, or pig’s ear; Echium fastuosum, with its blue flower spikes; the native grass Austrostipa stipoides and rosemarylike native shrub Westringia fruticosa; and tough-as-nails Moonah (Melaleuca lanceolate), its dense foliage clipped into neat shapes.

The garden, subtly redesigned over the past 10 years, retains the original walls of local limestone and seas of granitic gravel but Brockhoff has used a pared-back planting scheme and new outdoor furniture to create a simpler, stronger look. “I added to the main shrubs of sea box (Alyxia buxifolia) and Correa alba, and then pruned them into an organically shaped, continuous wave,” she says.

“Reducing the number of species has unified the planting.” Removing the lower branches of the mature olives exposed their sculptural trunks and opened up the view to Arthur’s Seat, the granite hill that is the highest point on the peninsula.

Cordylines, flax (Phormium) and Dietes ‘White Tiger’ add points of interest, as do the 1950s concrete pots that keep the succulents safely above foot traffic. Shells and sea-worn pieces of glass collected on Brockhoff’s travels provide interesting detail. The metal and timber birdbath (main picture), designed by Brockhoff and made by local artisans, can be ordered from fionabrockhoffdesign.com “Gardens are always changing,” says Brockhoff. “They might grow for 10 years before you need to review them, but some plants have a use-by date and they need replacing sooner.”

After picking delicious mushrooms from our front lawn on the farm and serving them for breakfast, I’m wondering if it’s possible to spread some spores from old mushrooms over the lawn for future breakfasts. - Chris Fowler, by email
You must be certain that foraged mushrooms are not poisonous species. Check at the excellent fungimap.org.au. Spent mushroom compost from mushroom farmers will often sprout more mushrooms when put on the garden, if conditions are right. Be aware this product can be very alkaline. Spreading old mushrooms is unlikely to succeed. Mushrooms abound in autumn when it’s cool and moist, but you can buy boxed kits that fruit year round when kept in a laundry or garage.

What’s the secret to having a garden that’s always in bloom? - Linda Nathaniel, Sydney
The secret to gardens such as Monet’s garden or Canada’s Butchart garden that blaze with colour all year is lots of staff and a big budget. They rely on annuals, which add masses of colour but are high maintenance to replace seasonally and keep fed, watered and dead-headed. To plan a home garden with a variety of shrubs and perennials that flower for a long time and in different seasons, seek expert advice from a local horticulturist.

Can you suggest table grape varieties suitable for southern Tasmania and available here due to quarantine restrictions? As a lifelong fruit grower, I know the requirements but finding a good variety has eluded me. - Ted Domeney, Flowerpot, Tasmania
Stoneman’s Garden Centre at Glenorchy, north of Hobart, sells several suitable varieties. Woodlea Nursery (woodleanursery.com.au) in the northeast grows 10 or more varieties and offers expert advice. Pinot noir is surprisingly good to eat.

Send your questions to: helenyoungtwig@ gmail.com or Helen Young, PO Box 3098, Willoughby North, NSW 2068. Website: helenyoung.com.au. The best question for June wins a set of two vanilla-scented Luminara Wax Flicker LED candles, safe to use indoors and out, $198 from IS Gift.

NSW: Old Linton, 22 Glebe Street, Yass, $3m+.

It boasts a ballroom for 100 guests, 10 bedrooms and a dining room that seats 50 but the grand estate Old Linton, in south-east NSW, started life as a rather more modest affair.

The Federation-style property in Yass, a 45-minute drive from Canberra, is set on 2ha, with wide terraces overlooking heritage-listed gardens that include a rose garden and glass house. The home has pressed metal ceilings, an original Art Nouveau bathroom, leadlight detailing on windows and doors, Carrara marble fireplaces and crystal chandeliers.

The original house, called Alfriston Cottage, was built in 1857 by London-born ex-convict Moses Moses, son of a rabbi. It was sold in 1877 to missionary James Peter Ritchie, who named it Linton after his birthplace. Much of the expansion of the property took place under its third owner, sheep baron Arthur Bryant Triggs, who inherited it after his wife’s death in 1898. Triggs added a conservatory, billiard room, library and cellar, and Linton was the first house in Yass to have electricity (by generator), gas and a telephone.

Triggs was an avid collector of manuscripts, rare coins and objets d’art, and years after his death in 1936 the house contents were sold in a three-day auction. In 1946 it was acquired as a home for war veterans and was used for this purpose for 45 years. After being sold to private buyers, Old Linton became a popular wedding venue. “Half of Yass has got married here,” jokes current owner Stephe Jitts, who says the ballroom has also played host to the odd wake.

Jitts and his wife Karina fell in love with the property as soon as they saw it, putting in a tender when it was up for sale in 1995. But they missed out by $25,000, and it would take them the best part of a decade to finally buy it. “I have a very bold daughter,” Stephe says. “And one day, nine years later, she knocked on the door and said, ‘I think it’s time you sold this house to my parents’.” The then owners replied that anything was for sale at the right price and in 2006, the couple moved from Canberra and took possession of their much-loved manor house.

While the Jittses spent years restoring their new home, late last year it attracted the attention of the makeover team from Foxtel’s Selling Houses Australia and underwent an ambitious nine-day renovation. The team created a new kitchen and a grand master bedroom with walk-in robe, painted the facade blue and kitted out the ballroom in bold purple. They finished with a 1920s-themed ball, to which the locals were invited.

Jitts, who has written a book about Old Linton’s history, says he and Karina have loved the solitude and the space. “It’s really the most magnificent place,” he says. “Being surrounded by history, that’s really what I’ll miss most. What I would love to see is for the home to become a focus for Yass.”

The home is simply too large for the couple, so it’s time to move on. Selling agent Dianne Frame says she has had interest above the $3 million mark.

Yass is in the NSW Southern Tablelands, 280km south-west of Sydney and 59km from Canberra. The median house price in Yass was $408,000 in February 2016, according to CoreLogic RP Data. The median in south-eastern NSW was $390,000.

Agent: Dianne Frame, LJ Hooker Manuka, 0411 092 990

Western Australia: Coral Vine Cross, Cowaramup, $389,000. On a lakeside block minutes to the best of the Margaret River region, this modular, steel-frame home is as sleek as it is simple.

Western Australia: Coral Vine Cross, Cowaramup, $389,000. The one-bedroom, one-bathroom air-conditioned cabin has walls of glass to take in water views through the trees and a covered alfresco area for supping the local wines. Stocker Preston, 0438 907 656.

Victoria: Lyndhurst Crescent, Hawthorn, $3 million plus. The facade of this four-bedroom Hawthorn home is all Victorian charm, but the rear boasts a very modern extension.

Victoria: Lyndhurst Crescent, Hawthorn, $3 million plus. Architect-designed and wrapped in concrete and glass, the open-plan living space and kitchen flow to an easy-care garden with heated pool. Kay & Burton, 0400 169 148.

NSW Brooks Street, Linley Point, $4.65 million to $5.1 million. You can watch the city lights twinkle as you dine on the terrace of this waterside home on Sydney’s lower north shore.

NSW Brooks Street, Linley Point, $4.65 million to $5.1 million. Spanning three levels, it has five bedrooms and three bathrooms. There is a pool, theatrette and direct access to the harbour. Belle Property, 0433 100 150, Auction June 25.

South Australia: Kent Street, Glenelg, $1.85 million to $2 million. It’s white on white with walls of glass at this brand new beachside home. The rooftop terrace offers 180 degree views and it’s a short stroll to the sand.

South Australia: Kent Street, Glenelg, $1.85 million to $2 million.The home has a bright, modern kitchen, three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a courtyard with built-in barbecue. Harcourts Williams, 0413 874 888.

Queensland: Albatross Avenue, Mermaid Beach, $6 million to $7 million. Situated on Millionaire’s Row with ocean views from all three levels, this Gold Coast home with six bedrooms and four bathrooms was built for showing off. The sun-soaked rooftop terrace, complete with lap pool and wet bar, makes entertaining a breeze. McGrath, 0419 503 503.

GALLERY: Homes of the rich and famous

Belgravia is home to some of London’s priciest real estate — including this opulent townhouse in Eaton Square. The home was originally constructed from 1825 to 1835, according to listing agent Stuart Bailey of Knight Frank.

In 1920, the Belgian government purchased the house and it served as the Belgian Embassy. It later became the headquarters of the Belgian government-in-exile during World War II. The 980sq m mansion has seven bedrooms and six full bathrooms. It also has three living rooms.

The most recent renovation includes this basement complex, topped with a gold-panelled coffered ceiling, houses a swimming pool tiled in gold leaf. There’s also a hot tub, a spa facility, a wet bar, a home theatre, a gym and a garage. There is also an elevator, a landscaped rooftop and terraced gardens.

Notable names who have lived in Belgravia include the former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, TV chef Nigella Lawson, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, actress Vivien Leigh and actor Sean Connery. Agent: Stuart Bailey and Eliza Leigh of Knight Frank Read more here.