Gardens
Turn a lawn into a naturalistic landscape If you’re considering eliminating a traditional lawn or reducing its size, look to this naturalistic meadow-inspired garden in San Diego, USA, designed by Ari Tenenbaum of Revolution Landscape. The design incorporates native plants, including pollinator-friendly plants, and keeps rainwater on-site, reducing the need for supplemental water and maintenance – for a beautiful backyard. Tenenbaum regraded the yard, which had been a neglected traditional lawn, and installed boulders and rocky basins to catch rainwater from the client’s roof. Next he planted sand dune sedge (Carex pansa) with a mix of flowering lavender, verbena and sweet alyssum, which benefit birds, bees and butterflies. “I would estimate this meadow will use about 30 to 50 percent less water annually, as compared to a traditional lawn,” he says, not to mention the design also cuts down on maintenance.
Unlike other forms of eco landscaping, xeriscaping not only uses native plants, but also imported species that are suited to local conditions. Cactuses and succulents – which are beloved xeriscaping plants in the south-western USA – are usually not frost tolerant enough for higher altitudes or lower latitudes in Australia, so can therefore only be used in a limited capacity. Often better for our climate are Mediterranean plants including thyme, sage, oregano and lavender, which do well with drought. Drought-tolerant plants, species suited to rockeries and most Australian natives do not need artificial irrigation in dry periods. You can also look to the plants used in extensive green roofing for inspiration.
Lawns are mostly avoided in xeriscaping. In desert-like areas of the south-western USA, lawn is simply impossible without additional irrigation. Likewise for dry parts of Australia, it is worth thinking about whether a lawn is really useful or a matter of habit. In terms of xeriscaping, having no lawn at all is best – or keeping it only if it will serve a purpose, for example for sports, but not as a purely decorative element. Grass needs a lot of water to grow well. If it doesn’t rain, it will need additional irrigation to grow. One alternative to a lawn is a meadow-inspired garden, which is only mowed once or twice a year. They offer more for the insect world and retain water better, like all vegetated areas. Perennial meadows with drought-loving flowers are also very popular in xeriscaping.
Every garden requires some care. Pruning, trimming or cleaning up, as well as possible replanting after winter, are part of xeriscaping care too. A garden that’s drought tolerant and correctly located can save you a lot of time and money on maintenance, since the landscaping works in concert with nature.
Pavers, which come in all manner of shapes and sizes, are long-lasting and hardy, making them a great hardscaping option. One of Lee’s favourite looks is to combine large, round pavers or stepping stones with ground cover as an alternative to a straight garden path. You can also use stone pavers to create a sense of cohesion between indoors and out, the secret to success is choosing pavers and indoor flooring in the same tone.
What are the pavers made from? The stepping stone pavers are a natural stone (Alba from Better Exteriors). The paving to the alfresco area, the pool coping (the capping or edging on the walls) and planter box cladding is Wyndam Limestone from Eco Outdoor. Why did you decide to add ground cover around the pavers? To get as much greenery into the space as possible. I used Korean velvet grass here, which has a wonderful sculptural form and doesn’t need mowing (it’s a no-mow grass).
Laser-etched screens Laser-etched screens have been around for many years now, but I’ve recently seen some amazing designs and patterns emerging. I particularly like the designs that feature less metal, like the one pictured here. After all, it’s the negative space that’s the real star. Laser-etched screens are the perfect solution for creating privacy when an aesthetically pleasing background is required. They’re easy to install, manufactured off site and look amazing surrounded by plants. I’ve used both Corten and powder-coated steel for feature screens and many different variations of patterns. Get creative, have some fun and ask your steel fabricator to push the boundaries with what can be done.
Acoustic feature panels As well as using sound-absorbing panels as exterior walls or fencing, you can also employ them as screening panels to offer privacy and textural accents. Acoustic landscaping solutions in panel form use the same technology as exterior sound-absorbing walls and fencing, and can usually be affixed to existing substrates. Most acoustic feature walls can be mounted in just a few hours. Tip: Sound-cancelling panels can be used as freestanding screens as well as mounted to walls – highlight them with exterior lighting to show them off.
Think twice about gravel “Gravel can be a problem, as it can get stuck in the pads of dogs feet,” says Lindsay. “Resin-bound gravel [pictured here] is a very good alternative, as it’s also permeable. You often see it under trees in public areas. “It provides a bit of cushioning and can easily be hosed down,” she continues. “I think it looks really great for paths – you can create interesting curves and get lots of different colours.” Do not try to attempt this yourself, Lindsay warns. “It’s quite a specific process and it needs a professional to lay it,” she says. “The same goes for artificial grass, which can otherwise easily become like a badly laid, bumpy carpet.”
For a traditional-style boundary with added texture, you could opt for a horizontal weave design. Wooden panels are woven in and out of vertical struts to resemble the pattern on a wicker basket. The woven panels create a design of interspersed gaps, which cast a lovely dappled light when the sun shines through them. Here, the owners have positioned a short structure above a wall, but this type of fence could equally start from ground level.
If you’d like a fence that’s attractive on both sides, a ‘hit-and-miss’ design is a good choice. You can get this type of fence with a horizontal pattern, like this one, or with a vertical layout. The timber panels are laid so they alternate between the front and back of the structure, meaning the fence looks the same from your neighbour’s garden as it does from yours. The double-sided layout of a hit-and-miss fence makes it robust and private, but if you’re planning to paint it, be aware that the boards on the inside of the panel can be tricky to reach.
Thin slatted fences don’t have to be horizontal, of course. In this garden, the designers have created a surface of very thin vertical timber battens to contrast with the adjacent horizontal design.
For an even lighter look, go for larger gaps between the battens, and try painting the fence in a pale shade. Here, the off-white panels blend in with the furniture and light-toned timber decking, which helps show off the simple planting around the space. The light streams through the gaps in the fence and bounces around the garden, and at the same time the tree and plants cast shadows on the pale surfaces.
Alternatively, go for thinner slats like these. The look is similar, but the narrower battens give a lighter feel, which works particularly well in a compact garden. The slats on these fences are long, so they form a continuous line around the perimeter of the garden. However, you can also buy fence panels with shorter slats separated by vertical posts.
If you’d like to give your garden a contemporary upgrade, horizontal slats are a great choice. There are a few different designs available, including this wide-slatted version with narrow gaps between the timber battens. The horizontal lines visually widen the space and make a pleasing contrast to the tall, slim plantings in front.
Comfortable seating: An outdoor sofa where you can curl up with a good book and, if you have the space, an outdoor dining table with comfortable chairs for meals. A couple of portable stools and side tables: Versatile pieces like these are a boon when you’re entertaining as they provide extra seating and somewhere to place a drink, and can be moved around easily. If your outdoor area is small, a couple of small side tables can also take the place of a large coffee table. Heating: Keeping the area cosy will allow you to use it well into the autumn months. There are many outdoor heating options, including portable heaters and wall-mounted styles, but for a fuss-free look we love electric, overhead-heating strips. Contemporary Patio by Penman Brown Interior Design Penman Brown Interior Design Lighting: Ensure you have sufficient lighting so guests can move safely around your outdoor area at night; plus uplighters to softly highlight sculptures or feature plants.
A screen: An outdoor screen makes an appealing feature in an exterior space. They’re also very versatile; display one as a work of art on the wall; use it to divide a space into different zones, say a cosy area for relaxation and a dining zone; or hide items behind it that you don’t want out on show. For a natural, rustic look, consider a screen made from Corten steel with a rusted finish that will age beautifully over time; or for a more sophisticated look, consider an aluminium screen with a powder-coated, matt-black finish.
What are the main points to consider? When planning your outdoor entertaining area, think about the following: How you want to use the space: Do you prefer to relax on comfortable sofas, dine outdoors at a table, or gather as a family around a fire pit? How many people you usually entertain: This will help determine how much seating and table space is required. Take your design cues from your interior: We entertain outdoors in a similar way to how we do indoors, so take the aspects you like best from your living and dining rooms and translate them into your outdoor space. Floor space: If outdoor space is tight or you like to entertain large numbers, you’ll want to keep the floor as clear as possible. In our outdoor area, we positioned the barbecue and seating around the perimeter to maximise floor space. Indoor-outdoor access: If you’re building or renovating and putting in new exterior doors, look for a wide-opening style – this will help guests move comfortably from inside to out, and allow you to take things from the kitchen to the alfresco area with ease. Beach Style Deck by Saunders Building Company Pty Ltd Saunders Building Company Pty Ltd Get the foundations right: It’s imp...
Gabions also complement weathered timber, oxidised metals and native plantings in modest rural dwellings, as seen in this barn-style home in country Victoria. Letterboxes can be built in, house numbers attached, and wiring for entrance lights and plumbing for water features inserted. Contemporary Garden by Lake Flato Architects Lake Flato Architects Do gabions have to be square, straight and chunky? Modern processes mean gabions can be configured to different shapes and sizes, including curves, and finishes from smooth and uniform to chunky and rustic. Hand-facing (placing flat rock faces against the sides of the baskets) or ‘tipping-in’ by hand or excavator offer variety. Mysiszczew’s Rockweld product has a slimmer, more refined profile than traditional gabions. This versatility enables architects and landscapers to be creative in residential projects. Other ways to personalise gabions include using a variety of different-coloured stones in layers or patterns, breaking up the surface with coloured panels, or leaving empty sections for decorative features such as pots or plants, or to open a view past the wall.
Why go gabion? Apart from the pleasing aesthetics of gabions, Mysiszczew lists these main advantages: Less environmental impact than other construction materials: Use of locally-sourced quarried rocks reduces environmental impact and high-freight carbon footprints. They are suitable for sensitive locations, including marine environments. Durability: Traditional gabions with double-twisted, low-corrosion wire mesh that don’t unravel if a wire breaks reduces repair and maintenance. These ‘Maccaferri’ baskets can last over a century, says Mysiszczew. His Rockweld gabions with rigid, lightweight galvanised-steel mesh sheets have a 20-year-plus lifespan. Low maintenance: These very strong monolithic structures are hard to damage and don’t need ongoing maintenance. Damaged sections are easily replaced. Country Garden by Design Storey Design Storey Cost effectiveness: Low-labour requirements, easy installation and no need (in many cases) for footings or support make them highly competitive cost-wise. Mysiszczew advises that Rockweld gabion fences require support posts. Superior sound-dampening qualities: This is especially true if sandbags are installed in the centre. As well as their go...
What is a gabion basket? The word comes from the Italian gabbione, meaning ‘big cage’. It is basically a dry-stone wall encased in mesh-like material. Wicker was originally woven to hold earth or stones to strengthen unstable structures. Modern gabion cages are made of metal mesh with stone, rubble or pebble fill, sometimes with an interior ballast such as concrete or sand for stability.
Keep it a secret Remember the thrill of childhood hide-and-seek games? Mind-clearing moments of complete solitude are becoming rare these days, so turn a corner of the garden into your little haven. This wicker cocoon is made for nesting and a screen of bamboo provides an extra layer of privacy.
Tune in to a tree Wrap a simple timber bench such as this one around a tree for watching your garden grow. Trees provide shade and shelter for comfortable contemplation, and much more.
Go natural For seating that blends beautifully with the subtle shades and textures of a garden, nothing beats stone. A stone bench can be tucked into a nook or flow seamlessly between other rock features. Surround it with lush foliage to enhance a sense of seclusion and bring nature up close and personal.
A modest water feature is as effective as a flowing stream or waterfall to induce a calm mood open to higher contemplation. The continuity of sound as water circulates endlessly helps us to turn off our ‘busy’ switches and go into drift mode, the prerequisite to creative thinking.
Cost effective Indigenous plants can also prove cheaper to purchase and, requiring less water and maintenance, they often establish faster and are very resilient. This results in fewer plant replacement purchases. Many species will also reproduce, resulting in free plants through natural colonisation of an area.
Benefits to fauna Local animals such as frogs, lizards, small mammals, butterflies and indigenous birds are encouraged to an area when it is planted with native flora. These animals and insects are effective consumers of pests. Many butterflies and other insects benefit from the presence of specific host sedges or grasses. An environment flourishing with indigenous plants creates wildlife food chains, encouraging pollination by insects and soil microflora and microfauna. Beneficial fungi are often created, which helps improve soil conditions by decomposing dead plant material.
Add a vertical water feature Distract attention from tall imposing fences along the boundary with an upright water feature that will fit easily into a narrow space. Painting the fence a dark colour ties it into the stone surrounds of the water so they all read as one element and contrast beautifully with the green foliage.
Vary ground surfaces The use of timber boardwalks, slate paving and different-size rocks adds excitement to the journey along the side of this Perth house. The subtropical planting of a scented frangipani and cycads strengthens its exotic appeal.
When a space is too small to inhabit outside think about how it can used to enhance indoor spaces. This compact Melbourne courtyard provides a tranquil outlook from the interior of the house.
When neighbours are very close to the boundary, as in this Perth garden, hanging plants and other decorative pieces can create a layered screening effect. A climbing plant trained horizontally along the wooden archway adds another layer to the screen. The great thing about this idea is that it lets light penetrate while ensuring the garden still has a sense of privacy and seclusion.
What could be more delightful than your own secluded outdoor space alongside the bedroom? Here, the largely green planting creates a serene outlook for its owners to enjoy while lazing about on a Sunday morning.
Create intimate outdoor living spaces By choosing furniture of the right proportions this narrow space can accommodate two people comfortably (with a cup of tea or glass of wine in hand) with room to spare for some potted plants as well.
Ground covers growing between pavers soften the hardscape and act as a transition from paved areas to the surrounding garden. While this is a great look, it can be difficult to maintain with living grass since pavers get in the way of the path of the mower. Artificial grass gives the same look without the need for mowing.
Don't want as simple as this
What furniture looks best? Simplicity is key. This garden is designed to provide you with somewhere to escape and recharge, not entertain a crowd. Aim to include a simple bench for quiet contemplation. For tables and chairs, small settings with pared-back lines work best.
What else is good to know? Avoid pattern repetition with this look. When laying stepping stones, go for odd numbers and different stone sizes, and lay them in curved (rather than straight) lines.
Which stones and pavers look best? Stepping stones and pavers are key features of a Zen garden. Not only do they create a stable surface on which to rest a bench or table setting, but they provide a wonderful textural contrast to the greenery in the garden. A solid concrete paver is a good choice. I’d suggest picking a style with a light texture; not only will it provide a slip-resistant surface for walking, but the exposed aggregate will pick up on the light tones in any pale stones used in the garden and create a cohesive look. Adbri’s Euro Stone paver is one of my favourites.
What are the key features of a Zen garden? Dark pavers Decorative stones over weed mat Potted plants with different-coloured greenery Minimalist lines Contrasting textures (such as smooth pebbles contrasting with lush, textured greenery) Plants in a Zen garden might include: zoysia liriope buxus balls
How hard is it to create? Most garden shapes and sizes can be transformed into a Zen retreat. Saying that, it’s a look that particularly lends itself to smaller spaces – perfect if you’ve got a garden or courtyard the size of a postage stamp. While flat land is easiest to work with when laying pavers or steppers, you can also create a fantastic Zen garden with subtle level changes. If you’re working with slopes, consider using retaining walls with step-downs to create different levels.
Think of a Zen garden as your own personal escape. You’ve no doubt heard of staycations, where you holiday within your own city… Zen gardens take this up a notch and encourage escapism at home. One of the biggest appeals of a Zen garden is how easy it is to care for (after all, it wouldn’t be very Zen if you had to spend hours a week maintaining it). Plants are largely potted and the garden features easy-care hard surfaces such as pavers and decorative stones. This makes it a great choice for time-poor gardeners. And while Zen gardens are known for their minimalism, don’t mistake this for boring. A Zen garden will have lots of interesting features and contrasting textures to draw the eye.
It’s worth paying more for an experienced, qualified installer. Selecting the right stone for a project is one thing, but ensuring that it’s laid correctly is just as important. Falling in love with a beautiful stone only to have it look terrible once it’s installed is the last thing you want.
Cobblestones and filetti paving (small-format pavers) are ideal for high-traffic areas such as driveways and pathways. They are incredibly strong, not just because of the stone itself but because of the tight format they are laid in. Choose a dark colour and these stones will withstand all sorts of heavy use and staining, without showing the signs.
You should seal stone pavers after they’ve been laid. Sealing pavers protects the stone from damage and makes stains easier to remove. Look at it like scotchgarding your carpet. A good, penetrating sealer will last 15 years (although in high-traffic spots such as pathways and driveways you may need to have pavers professionally cleaned during that time). Other than that, there’s not too much else to do, which is what makes natural stone such a great flooring material.
Why choose natural stone over concrete? Natural stone comes from the earth, and is formed by layers of sand, minerals and oxides over hundreds of years. No two pieces are ever the same. It has a unique character that simply cannot be replicated by artificial materials. Natural stone also ages gracefully over time and feels divine underfoot.
To tie the design together, Parsons used the same river rocks along the base of the adjacent retaining wall – another place where drainage can be an issue. While the designer used polished stones for this application, gravel could easily be used in the same way.
Gravel can also help with drainage by breaking up an expanse of impermeable hardscape. For this concrete patio, for example, garden designer Robin Parsons of Spring Greenworks filled a thin gap running the length of the paving with stones. Laid out as a graceful meander, the gap acts as an attractive artistic feature of the patio and provides somewhere for rainwater to go.
Depending on how they are used, gravel trenches can help move, direct or drain water. French drains, for example, help move excess water away from the home or saturated beds. Rain gardens and bioswales, on the other hand, use gravel trenches or depressions to prevent runoff and drain water on-site.
Rain gardens do more than reduce stormwater run-off. “Amended soils of a rain garden help to create a living sponge that absorbs and holds water longer for plants,” says Whitworth, which leads to healthier soils and gardens that need less supplemental water. Plus, rain gardens planted with native and pollinator-friendly plants can become habitat areas for birds, insects, frogs, turtles and other wildlife.
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