The plot was the last one to be built on in this quiet cul-de-sac, and had been used to dump unwanted stones and rocks on - as well as other debris.

"I've collected them for 30 years, and brought some with me from my Newlands house," she says pointing to an arrangement of rocks in front of the house.

The garden, now three years old, had to be established from scratch, almost - the original owner of the plot bought it 25 years ago, and because he planned to build on it, planted 13 indigenous trees, among them yellowwoods, a wild plum and a stinkwood.

First up, they had to sift and sort the stones from the soil with a giant sieve. The smaller rocks were used for paths and to make beds. People kept asking when they were going to move the rocks under the cavity of the house, which was to be a cellar.

It may not be a flower garden, but right now it's filled with colour - the nasturtiums are running wild, the lavender is a riot of mauves and purples, and the pelargoniums are in full bloom.

"Many did not survive. Apparently proteas need to be kept moist for the first three years of their lives, and I must have watered too sparingly."

At the back there's a circle of rocks to sit on with an umbrella for shade. And under the white stinkwood tree at the side, one of the giant six-ton rocks has been tipped on its side to form a flat table surface - an ideal spot when its hot.

On the sunny east side there's a herb and vegetable garden. "I'm very keen on it - aubergine, rocket, celery and lettuces - I have sufficient greens for my kitchen."

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