P
erched on a steep incline near the water
on Sydney’s lower north shore, this
refined front garden bears no resemblance
to the drab and unappealing space it once
was. In their brief to Stark Design, the
new, art-collecting owners had asked for
something modern and sculptural to
complement their art and interior aesthetic.
Sustainability was important, so the natural choice was
low-water-use plants, which would also allow the owners to
travel without fretting about the garden. Diametrically different
from their previous English-style garden, they envisaged cacti and
succulents. Fortunately, their dream garden suited the front yard
and its sunny aspect perfectly. The existing corridor-like stretch- the main access from the street to garage and house – was
scorching in the summer and needed cooling down. A mature
Queensland bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris) was the sole
surviving plant in the inhospitable surroundings.
The main challenge facing garden designer Jane Stark was
an environment similar to a roof garden: shallow to no soil, with
little room for excavation. She advocated plants that would thrive
and a rejuvenating colour palette. Out with the old dingy brown,
in with snappy whites, silvers and greens.
The fabulous original bottle tree is now ‘focus featured’ by
two of the white walls, and another bottle tree has joined it in
the scheme, courtesy of a custom-made square planter box.
“We wanted to give it suitable distinction as well as create more
shade,” says Jane. The new planter box is a key addition. Adjoining
the existing ones – all painted Resene Rice Cake to match the
walls – it’s deep enough for the tree and adds balance ov erall.
Step by step Each
platform is precast
concrete with ‘negative
detail’ beneath, while the
concrete path steppers by
Anston Architectural are
used without grout to give
a ‘floaty’ feel. At varying
heights, the white-walled
planter boxes are all
rendered brick. Plants
include Indian hawthorn
(Raphiolepis indica
‘Oriental Pearl’), Sedum
‘Autumn Joy’ in flower and
sil ver torch or woolly torch
(Cleistocactus strausii).OUT | GARDEN