The owners had extensive work done, including new paving and decking areas, after which they required assistance with the addition of new greenery to the existing garden structure.
This garden makeover was a real labor of love. The preparation stage included pruning and transplanting some existing plants. Soil preparation meant removing large areas of overgrown couch grass and weeds, removing some trees and old existing pavers as well as the Hills Hoist washing line.
With an abundance of onsite rocks, some of which had been used to create a raised garden bed by the owner, the need to place them throughout the garden without making them look cluttered, was a priority. New soil and compost replaced a large amount of removed garden soil. The levels around the house were changed where a new pathway was laid for informal access, incorporating the rocks for retaining purposes. This immediately brought in new functionality and flow into the existing spaces.
No lawn was a requirement. Because the home owners liked an abundance of colour and flowers, I chose to bring in a lot of variety in the shrubs which will create the new framework of the garden, changing over the seasons. Existing Hibiscus, Palms, Frangipani, Philodendron, Monstera and Aspidistra, guided to a tropical plant palette, which included flowers in abundance as well as a variety of variegated and red-pink coloured leaves. Repetitive planting was the key here as there are so many different garden beds and angles in this garden. On the hotter side of the garden, the tropical planting transitions into a hardier low maintenance plant palette including some natives, while keeping within the overall colour scheme. The owner had many succulents which were added to the overall planting.
The varying heights of planting and the levels in this garden create a lot of interest. The best part is that the garden is enjoyed from the large windows throughout the house.
The large new accent pot is the owners choice and will be surrounded by a blanket of burgundy foliage once growth starts. The variegated pink Hydrangeas are small to start out with, but will soon spill over the pot edge and add many months of colour to this back yard. The old round reclaimed steppers will be disguised by the groundcover and focus will be on the three Cycas planted around the pot for added structure.
The planter under the patio roof has been planted with ginger and colour, an old pot has been placed within one of the many garden beds, planted with pink Mandevillas, adding to the many surprise elements in this large garden. The many different areas tie in with each other by the rocks and pebbles which are repeated, the repetitive planting and an overall colour scheme.