Preston - Melbourne, Australia
Shade Garden
Curving corten steel has been used to contain this romantic shade garden, full of seasonal flowers.
Previously this area was heavily shaded by a large Cupressus sempivirens tree which made the ground dry and difficult to establish plants. This tree was removed to allow for an extension to the house. This garden now holds many precious plants from the family and will be enjoyed from the house, and extension, through the seasons. Compost and mulch were added to feed plants and to hold moisture in the soil. Thanks to Zak for the frenzied pre-lockdown hours, we made it!
Native Garden
This garden is to provide shade to the garden and house from the fierce western summer sun. With a main view from the house it also needed to provide colour, texture and wildlife habitat, Initial works removed 2 existing Camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora), a weed species which easily displace local native trees. Flooding from a neighbouring property had killed earlier plantings, possibly high nutrient run off, as well as pooling water. We created drainage to move this excess water around the garden. Edging was added to separate turf areas and for future paving.
Mostly Australian native plants have been used with some flowering trees and shrubs added. A Jacaranda mimosifolia has been placed for height and colour in the front. Native planting includes: Eucalyptus sp (dwarf) Callistemon sp. Leptospermum ‘Copper Glow’, Acacia sp. Grevillea sp. Protea sp. Indigofera australis, Hardenbergia violacea (climbing).
Non-natives include: Abutilon Chinese Lantern, Coprosma repens sp. Gaura lindheimeri.
Courtyard
This courtyard area, previously a driveway gets very hot in summer, but little direct sun in the winter. With a main view from the house this planting was to make use of a small area with lots of colour. Works removed weeds and roots and add compost and drought hardy flowering plantings.
Plant Selection
Eucalyptus caesia ‘Silver Princess,’ Bougainvillea, Festuca glauca, Dichondra repens ‘Silver Falls’ and Lotus berthelotti ‘Red Flash’. As with any garden time tells which plants thrive in the conditions. Both groundcovers became very vigorous in this area. One Eucalyptus died but the remaining
