GARDENING HG
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN | 147
Native violet (Viola hederacea),
sweet violet (Viola odorata)and
Ajuga‘Caitlin’s Giant’ form a lush
groundcover between sandstone
steppersat the side of the home.
Gardenia‘Florida’ andCamellia
sasanqua‘Setsugekka’ hide the
boundary fence; apleached
Michelia champacais a punctuation
point at the end of the path.The brief
When the owners bought it, this heritage
home in Sydney’s inner west sat within
expanses of pebblecrete punctuated by
citrus trees. In tandem with renovating
the home, they set about renewing their
outdoor spaces. They called on Hugh
to transform the front, side and rear
gardens, briefing a traditional scheme at
the front, befitting the character home,
with a lush garden and pool at the rear.
The solution
For the 114m2 front garden, Hugh
created a formal garden with a twist,
employing traditional elements such
as hedging but using interesting
combinations of plants including
massed cardamom gingers to fringe
the verandah, and box balls near the
front steps. “It’s my version of a formal
garden,” says Hugh. The formality
softens into a lushly planted side path
and becomes looser still in the 230m2
rear garden, where the emphasis is
on texture and year-round flowerings.
The pool takes up one side of the rear
garden while the other half is lawn edged
by layered plantings that incorporate
existing jacaranda and frangipani trees.
Designer statement
“I love the way the garden harmonises
with the house. I worked with the
architect and interior designer and that
collaborative approach helped create
a cohesive and successful project.”
Hugh Burnett Landscape Architect,
Edgecliff, NSW; 0429 091 884 or
HUGH BURNETT
Landscape architect
Formal gathering
This front garden bed brims
with cardamom ginger, Japanese
box and gardenias. “Cardamom
ginger smells beautiful,” says
Hugh. “I love it planted along
paths: brush past it and it
brings out the scent.” >