Australian House & Garden – September 2019

(Wang) #1

HG GARDENS


CIRCLE WORK
This circular landing/seating area
was designed to echo the curved
elements of the front verandah.
The Toolara sandstone pavers
from Eco Outdoor are edged with
recycled bricks, both materials
reflecting the details of the home.

LINGER LONGER
“When visitors are arriving or
leaving, it’s nice to have an
area where you can stand
around and chat,” say Fiona
of this arrival/departure point,
3.5m in diameter. “It can
comfortably fit 12 people.”

IT’S ALL ROSY
Taking her cue from the
existing pink camellia hedge,
Fiona has installed plants that
bear flowers with subtle pink
and mauve hues, including
Echium, Rhaphiolepis, Gaura
and walking iris.

PLACES OF INTEREST
In its previous incarnation, this front garden was unremarkable, with
perimeters of low hedging and rigid, straight pathways. The new layout
is much more dynamic, revealing itself as you walk through. As the
garden grows, crepe myrtles and ornamental pear trees will form a
canopy over the layered plantings below. “This is the east side of the
house: in summer the area will be in dappled shade, the pond will have a
cooling effect and the flowering plants will be in full bloom,” says Fiona.

GREEN GREETING
Meeting visitors at the front
entrance are two woolly bush
plants (Adenanthos sericeus),
in large brass planters. “These
plants are velvety soft and are
fine in pots as long as they have
good drainage,” says Fiona.

ROOM WITH A VIEW
The main bedroom now looks
out onto a richly layered garden,
with bubbling water a constant
soundtrack. Growing below the
window is lamb’s ears (Stachys
byzantina), a tough easy-care
plant with soft, silvery foliage.
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