Garreth:

“The house is set quite close to the street which meant it was a challenge trying to achieve privacy, so we kept some of the more significant trees and added underplantings to achieve lushness.”  

“We needed to make the access to the pool easier and more inviting to encourage people to explore the garden.”

“Previously it was just mown grass along the river bank.  We collaborated with the water authorities before bringing in heavy equipment to excavate the billabong and deep rip for the new wetland plantings.”  

Ferns have naturalised in the ‘find me if you can’ grotto.

This garden is surely a children’s ‘dreamscape’.

Falling water brings energy and liveliness to the garden as it reticulates down the terrace and beneath the boardwalk.

This existing water feature was re-tanked and waterproofed, and the pumps upgraded.

Set a little way down the hill, the new pavilion by the swimming pool now draws people to this area.  

Complete with BBQ facilities it’s a perfect place for entertaining, and the ideal perspective from which to appreciate views to the bottom of the garden and the river.

Poolside seating follows the curve which is further accentuated by a wavy hedge of Acmena ‘Firescreen’.  

The pool equipment is housed discreetly below the wooden floor of the pavilion – out of sight.

Stone steps and gravel pathways are bordered by low-growing tulbaghia and nepeta, and silvery foliage of stachys is highlighted by the sun.

Undulations of lomandra ‘Little Con’, Miscanthus sinensis and perennials, such as trimmed teucrium, cover the hillside.

Sweeps of bergenia and hellebores accompany balls of tuecrium, and mounds of seaside daisies skirt the rock wall beneath a gnarled old mulberry tree.

“It has wonderful character, and adds a great sense of history to the garden.  To prolong its life, the bifurcated trunk has been cabled.” 

Compost bins have been placed centrally without drawing too much attention.

In late spring the garden is pure joy – brimful with scent, colour and texture from echium, euphorbia, roses, agapanthus and foxgloves.

Masses of spectacular plumes of petite Arthropodium cirrhatum flowers spray from effulgent leaves.

On every day, and on every turn along one of the many garden paths, new vignettes emerge to warm the heart.

Robert Boyle Landscapes

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Readers’ Comments:

The photography is stunning, congratulations.

Di McCrae

Open Gardens Australia

Queensland RLO

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That has to be the best coverage I have seen on gardens, congratulations and well done.

Bron Campbell