Ideas...

I featured the start of this steeply sloping garden in Jerrabomberra several years ago. Compacted decomposed granite paths were laid to access all parts of the garden with earthen swales to capture water run-off. Two ponds were installed for water plants and frogs. The few shrubs show here were already on the site. It is of interest that many folk are of the opinion that I only design formal gardens using exotic plants. As this and the subsequent pictures demonstrate I design all types of gardens such as this one featuring principally Australian plants.

These two pictures were taken approximately three years after the previous picture.  An informal path of stone steps blends in with the surroundings to create the right atmosphere for a bush garden.  All the plants are growing well with drip irrigation augmenting the swales.

A 20,000-litre water tank is used for most of the watering with water run-off caught on lower levels and recirculated. Stone seats in various locations in the garden allow for relaxing and watching the bird life enjoying the food provided by the plants.

I photographed this very clever sculpture in one of the gardens at the Bathurst Spring Garden Festival at the end of October. Cut out of flat metal, mother is looking longingly at the lush grass the other side of the fence. 

I highly recommend a visit to Bathurst for their garden festival. Eleven gardens were open this year. A veritable feast for garden lovers from formal town gardens to large country gardens

When my clients purchased this home the garden was almost non-existent and even more so the surrounds of the swimming pool. The existing broken paving was replaced with 'Binks' 400 x 400 concrete pavers in a sandstone finish with bull-nose pavers on the pool edge.  Merbau timber was used for the adjoining deck, which joined into a new pergola along the rear of the home.  'Bink's Concrete Products' are a local Canberra company celebrating 50 years in business this year. Their Italian machinery produces concrete pavers of the highest quality .

For a classical garden statuary forms an integral part of a garden's style. Here a large stature representing spring rests happily amongst the mass planting of soft blue agapanthus. A group of large Betula pendula, silver birch frames the statue with a mirror in the background reflecting the scene. The stature and birch trees are lit at night setting off the wonderful white bark. Even in winter with no leaves on the trees the floodlighting looks quite dramatic shining through the bare branches of the birch trees. These are watered with DripEze drip irrigation .

Daphne plants are not only native to China and the Himalayan region.  These daphne have fairly specific requirements for soil and shade. However, there are many hardy varieties of Daphne from the Mediterranean, from Southern Italy up to the Caucasus Mountains and Piedmont areas of Northern Italy. One example shown here is a relatively new introduction to Australia, namely Daphne 'Eternal Fragrance'. This is a cross between Daphne Napolitana and Daphne Collina, both from the Naples area. This will grow happily in full sun to part shade and is readily available from the Heritage Nursery, Banks Street Yarralumla A.C.T.