GARDEN INSPIRATION

TROPICAL GARDENS

A Tropical garden in Western Australia can be achieved even with our hot dry climate, it may take abit more planning and plant selection but will reward you with a feeling of being in a cool, relaxing, lush environment, reminding you of places like Hawaii, Florida, the Mexican coast, jungles and rainforests of South America, the islands of the Pacific, Asia or even closer to home, Queensland and Broome. Plants for the tropical garden need not be tolerant of frost. They need to be densely planted to help you achieve a jungle-like steamy environment. Next you need to think colour, bright and varied foliage and flowers creates a tropical feel. Create and interesting resort style garden and escape to a holiday in your own backyard. Go troppo with some of these suggestions! Elements used to add an exotic touch are:

Gazebo with thatched roof
rattan,teak or bamboo furniture with coloured cushions
Art pieces like carvings, statues, stone or wood
Glazed pots
Water features
Outdoor shower
Lanterns

Plants to use to add tropical character:

Palms
Cordylines
Hibiscus
Gingers
Bananas
Orchids
Bird of Paradise
Canna Lily
Agapanthus
Princess lillies
Elephant Ears
Ferns
Acalypha
Bougainvilleas
Mandevilla
Poinsettia
Passionfruit
Cycads
Bromeliads
Dracaena
Croton
Philodendron
Calathea
Rhoeo
Ixora
Mango tree
Paw Paw tree
Star Jasmine
Mondo grass
Fatsia japonica
Avocado
Coleus
Freckleface
Anthurium lily
Frangipani
Bamboo
Iresine
Hoyas

COTTAGE GARDENS

Still a favourite of many people, a Cottage garden reminds you of the romance of the English landscape with collections of beloved plants around ordinary family homes. It tends to have a mix of beautiful scented plants, herbs for the kitchen, roses, trees, annuals, perennials and a style of free flowing diversity and seemingly no rules on what should be planted where! Cottage garden plants are not rare or exotic just old loved favourites scattered and every space filled and appealing to the eye. It should be a quiet informal relaxed area where you can sit with a cuppa, read a book, listen to the birds sing, hear water from a fountain and smell the delightful scents from the surrounding plants. Many height levels are used from groundcovers to climbers so everywhere you look your eye can see something growing. Elements used to create a cottage garden theme are :

Fountains
Birdbaths & birdfeeders
Statues and ornaments
Outdoor table and chairs
Trellis, arches and obelisks
Clocks
Meandering pathways made of cobbled stone or brick

Plants used to design a Cottage garden are:

Azaleas
Buddleia
Black eyed Susan
Alogyne
Berries
Crepe Myrtle
Crocus
Canna lillies
Coreopsis
Carnations
Clivia
Ceonothus
Daisy
Daphne
Gaura
Citrus trees – Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Cumquat, Orange, Mandarin
Stone fruit trees – Plums, Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Grapes, Apples, Pears
Geraldton wax
Geranium
Hardenbergia
Heuchera
Hydrangea
Honeysuckle
Herbs – Catmint, Thyme, Parsley, Mint, Basil
Jacaranda
Jasmine
Lilac Tree
Lavenders
Lambs ear
Native violet
Nasturtium
Mexican Orange Blossom
Rosemary
Murraya
Roses
Sunflowers
Tuberose
Orange Trumpet vine
Wisteria
Angelonica
Vincas
Bergenia
Penstemon
Pentas
Verbena
Moss
Bulbs – Anemone, Jonquils, Daffodils, Gladioli, Iris, Sweet Peas, Hippeastrum, Hyacinths, Freesias
Annuals – Foxglove, Cineraria, Delphinium, Cornflower, Alyssum, Lobellia, Dahlia, Phlox, Sweet William, Poppies, Statice, Wallflowers, Asters, Aquilegia, Dianthus, Zinnia, Salvia, Ageratum, Cosmos, Calendula, Pansies, Violas, Snapdragons, Petunia, Marigolds, Celosia, Cockscomb, Stocks, Nemesia, Primula, Impatiens

NATIVE GARDENS

A native plant is one that grows naturally in a particular region without human intervention. A native garden is built to thrive in local conditions using indigenous plants and allowing natural regeneration. Creating a shelter for wildlife and working in harmony with nature. Minimizing negative impact on the environment is foremost. By matching plant species to your area, it will make a garden expending less care and energy and will be healthier than an exotic garden. Another benefit is it makes a haven for birds, insects and other wildlife, they will use the fruit, nectar and habitat to frolic in. Having a bushland feel and bringing the informality of local vegetation to your own garden everything blends in and you feel part of your surroundings. Elements used to help create a Native garden are:

Streams or water for birds, frogs and fish to live in
Terracotta pots
Rustic metal art features
Tree stumps or logs
Benches and steps
Rocks and stones
Meandering pathways of gravel or stone

Plants used to create a Native garden :

Banksia
Bottlebrush
Grevillea
Kunzea
Hibbertia
Casuarina
Hakea
Leptospermum
Correa
Crowea
Kangaroo Paws
Lomandra
Dianella
Albany woolly bush
Wedding Bush
Oleria
Eucalyptus
Eriostemon
Eremophila
Lechenaultia
Verticordia
Darwinia
Boronia
Pimelea
Wattle
Hop Bush
Acmena
Myoporum
Melaleuca
Astartea
Westringia
Dampiera
Isopogon
Conostylis
Eutaxia
Fringed lily
Isolepsis
Scaevola
Thryptomene
Alyogyne
Kennedia
Hardenbergia

ZEN GARDENS

Zen gardens are primarily a dry landscape, minimalist, asymmetrical, a quiet place to comtemplate, an open space to meditate and relax in. A Japanese rock garden is meant to enhance spiritual feelings being simplistic and naturalistic. Using contrasting small and large objects, vertical and horizontal structures, rough and smooth textures and planting in odd numbers like 3,5 or 7 plant grouping, is a deliberate imbalance meant to create stimulation of the mind. There is not alot of colour, mainly black, green and brown tones. Todays interpretation has ponds, bridges, lighting and artwork but still focuses on an outdoor place of calm reflection. Sand and gravel is used, mainly white, which symbolizes purity and the raking of sand in lines is meant to aid concentration and resembles water rippling . This is an easy garden to maintain, there are not alot of plants used. Elements to plan a Zen garden include :

Stones
Pebbles
Sand and fine gravel
Bamboo fences and panels
Lamps, candles, lights
Buddha heads and statues
Water

Plants suitable for a Zen garden :

Bamboo
Nandina domestica
Azalea
Waterlillies
Japanese Maples
Ficus
Ferns
Bonsai
Topiary
Chrysanthemums
Herbs
Conifers
Hostas
Camellias
Wisteria
Clivia
Hydrangea
Flowering Plum, Cherry, Peaches and Apricot trees
Gingko biloba
Ornamental grasses
Japanese buxus
Moss
Junipers
Sagina

ECO-FRIENDLY GARDEN

Eco-friendly gardening is about working with nature, not against it. The idea is to have plants that become a home for birds, butterflies and local wildlife. Not wasting water and recycling is supreme. Doing no harm is also important, like avoiding chemical fertilisers that run into rivers, oceans and waterways. Not planting invasive species that could wipe out some native varieties. Pesticides and herbicides tend to kill more creatures than the odd bug that was intended so they are not used alot in an eco-friendly garden. Plus an eco garden gives back by creating a friendly habitat , food and shelter for lizards, ladybirds and other creatures. By growing fruit and vegetables you can give baskets full to friends and relatives. Lawn is often limited to reduce water usuage and is replaced by waterwise alternative garden plantings. Lots of mulch, compost and manure is used so water goes into the soil easier and does not evaporate so much. Elements that aid eco-friendly gardens are :

Reclaimed and recycled materials
Old tiles, bricks, stones, timber
Crushed sea-shells
Compost bin
Mosaics
Birdbaths and birdfeeders
Bicycles, old bathtubs, wheelbarrows

Plants suitable for creating an eco-friendly garden :

Agaves
Sedum
Yucca
Verbena
Junipers
Lavender
Rosemary
Penstemon
Citrus trees
Ornamental grasses
Herbs and Vegetables
Fruit trees
Lambs ear
Snow in summer
Catnip
Dahlia
Artemisia
Succulents
Garlic
Buddleia
Bay tree
Curry plant

MEDITERRANEAN GARDENS

Inspired by countries that border the Mediterranean sea, Italy, Greece, France and Spain the garden designs are often noticeable by topiaries, walkways, fountains, archways usually a preference for symmetry with clean lines and strong architecture.

Formal hedges neatly pruned are highlighted. Plants trained onto shapes like spirals, pompoms, and cones are like living sculptures. Shade is an essential component so there is usually pergolas with creepers cascading over as alot of time is spent eating and sitting outside around a paved and walled entertainment area. Colourful ceramics, mosaics, tableclothes and cushions are plentiful. The climate in these countries is hot and dry so creating shade is paramount.

Elements that help create a Mediterranean garden setting are :

Garden furniture
Pedestals and urns
Stone columns
Trellis
Obelisk
Fountains
Blue painted structures
Glazed or terracotta pots
Limestone
Mosaics

Plants suitable to create a Mediterranean theme are :

Olive trees
Roses
Clematis
Jasmine
Geraniums
Conifers
Oleanders
Bougainvilleas
Wisteria
Lavender
Rosemary
Topiarys
Citrus trees
Grape vines
Bay tree
Pomegranate
Artemisia
Box hedges
Crepe Myrtle
Evergreen Flowering Ash
Hardenbergia
Jacaranda
Diosma
Geraniums
Plumbago
Indian Hawthorn
Dragon tree
Viburnum Tinus

CONTEMPORARY GARDENS

These are a modern garden, one that has to fit into a smaller yard, be waterwise, and easy-care for the new-age family. The emphasis is on bold architectural plants and structures. Water features, sculptures and containers are important, and plants while few in numbers are highlighted.

Dwarf varieties of plants that are suitable for containers are used. Tidy upright plants that are striking in a row, give privacy and become a focal point. Furniture that reflects modern era design will be included, made of chrome, stainless steel, with mesh and bright colours. Stylish but timeless, using the latest technology like grey water irrigation methods, use of vertical and deck lighting, outdoor kitchens and BBQs, skylights, spas, bars, glass panels, and clean lines. Plants espaliered against the wall look great.

Features used to create a Contemporary garden look :

Timber decking
Glass panels
Florida Gardenia
Pebbles and aggregate paving
Sun loungers, outdoor settings, umbrellas
Cement or sandstone planters
Spheres
Water features

Plants suggested to construct a Contemporary garden :

Agapanthus
Ornamental grasses
Agave
Purple Fountain grass
Gardenias
Yucca
Dragon tree
Dracaena
Buxus
Purple fountain grass
Topiary
Crimson Spire Flowering Plum
Phormium
Cordyline
Japanese Maple

SWIMMING POOL AREA PLANTING

There is quite alot to consider when choosing plants for around your pool area.

» You don’t want plants that drop leaves or flowers into the water. Perth can be a windy city, close to the ocean and with sea breezes so avoid plants that make a mess and clog up pipes in the filtration system of your pool. Usually its a wrong choice of plants that is the problem, you can have lots of nice lush plants if you choose wisely. In the hills of Perth you wouldn’t plant Gum trees near the pool as they can drop leaves and twigs daily and even branches in windy spots. Deciduous trees are not so good as they drop leaves in Winter, and Jacarandas and Illawara flame trees are beautiful but messy around a pool when their flowers drop. Some leaves also stain pavers or pool floor especially when they get wet and stick.

» You should not plant trees that could have invasive roots like Bamboo, Umbrella trees, or Chillian Willows as the roots can uproot paving, underground plumbing and could crack the pool itself .

» Beware of plants that have sharp bits, they can be dangerous and poke someones eye if they get near to retrieve a wayward ball! Some Palms like the Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix Robelenii) and the Canary Island Date Palm have pointed thorns which leave puncture wounds that could lead to infection.

» Consider using plants that don’t attract bees! Some people are allergic to bee stings so its wise to take this thought when planning your landscape. Usually plants that have a flower draw the bees.

» Remember that water will splash from the pool onto plants and as it has chemicals in it may make plants short lived. Its just one of the hazards of planting next to water. Also the reflection of the water and the suns rays can make life for plants stressful. If you water the plants some of the soil can run down into the pool making a mess. Sometimes its best to plant a bit further away from the pool edges or plant in pots which can be moved periodically.

» Providing shade and privacy is also a point to think about when choosing your plants. Planting taller shrubs around the fence line will keep your privacy and these will be a shelter for smaller plants underneath.

» Planting tough plants like ornamental grasses is a wise choice. These need little maintenance, don’t drop leaves and are hardy. Think twice about plants that need constant pruning like hedging plants. Having grass planted close to the pool edges can mean the lawn clippings can blow into the water. Building a retaining wall or rock garden keeps plants away from the edges. Plants that need spraying for pests and diseases regularly are to be avoided as its just adding more chemicals around and plants may be difficult to get to as they grow, you don’t want to fall in!

Here are names of a selection of plants suitable to be used :

Blue fescue (Festuca) grass
Perennial Petunias
Day Lily
Salvia
Blue Fescue grass
Agapanthus
Camellia
Verbena
Geraniums
Dietes
Citrus
Palms
Canna Lily
Cycad
Nandina Domestica Sacred Bamboo
Flax
Croton
Succulents
Cycas Revoluta
Agave
Papyrus grass
Hibiscus
Ipomea
Choisya
Bird of Paradise
Lomandra
Dianella
Daisies
Ferns
Coprosma
Coleus
Xanadu
Dipladenia