Cedric Bryant - Designing gardens with passion
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Gardening and landscaping tips


Sloping block - problem solved

A steep sloping block in Jerrabomberra (via Queanbeyan NSW) presented a challenge. Stone retaining walls and steps aligned to the front door overcame the problem. LED low voltage lights are inset into the stone steps with Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' forming a barrier at the top of the wall. Inside the hedge the garden is divided into four squares bordered by Buxus sempervirens, box hedging. A feature urn in the centre provides a focal point between the steps and front door.

 

National Film & Sound Archive - art deco at its finest

The National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra is classed as the best example of Art Deco architecture in the Southern Hemisphere, built in 1930. As such it was important to use plants applicable to that era when the gardens were completely changed for the Australian Bicentenary in 1988. I examined old plant catalogues and plant lists from the City Parks that were used at that time when I designed the new gardens. Here is an example in one corner of the inner courtyard. A large Camellia forms the backdrop with Pieris, Gardenia and Azaleas in the foreground.

 
A native garden on a sloping block

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.

Autumn Joy
Autumn Joy

 

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.

Charming sculpture in a Bathurst garden

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

Binks Concrete Products, a proud local company

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 .

Statues & birch trees create a soothing nook in a garden

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 'Eternal Fragrance'

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.

Cistus 'Sunset', a hardy drought resistant Mediterranean rose.

A tough drought-resistant plant also from the Mediterranean region is Cistus or Rock Rose. Not actually a rose, the common name refers to the resemblance of old-fashioned roses. Cistus grow wild in the Dardanelles and were noted by the troops during the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. The white variety propagated by the Yarralumla Nursery in Canberra is known as Cistus 'Gallipoli Rose'. This flowers from spring to summer with many varieties available. The variety pictured here is Cistus 'Sunset'.

Clemata 'Romantika'  in full bloom

From the middle of spring to summer a special feature of gardens are the spectacular flowers of Clematis. Starting with the smaller flowering varieties such as Clematis montana rubens with its clusters of soft pink flowers. These are followed by the big bold large flowered clematis as illustrated here with Clematis 'Romantika'.  Clematis look particularly stunning when allowed to climb through trees or over archways combined with other climbing plants such as roses.  Check out your local garden centre to see them in flower in all their glory

 
 
 
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Cedric D. Bryant

Designing Gardens With Passion.

PO Box 5077 Braddon ACT Australia 2612
P: +61 2 6241 8752 M: 0418 620 424

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