Sean & Gail's Garden Update
A year has passed since Sean and Gail first approached us to help them create a landscape design for their garden, and nine months since the installation work got under way, so we thought it would be a good time to provide an update to share with you the successes of their landscape design project.
Looking down on the garden from the backyard nine months after installation.
Plants sourced from Ecobotanics and Go Green Rainforest Nursery.
All but two of the over 570 plants that were installed survived and are thriving in their new home. Sean and Gail were incredibly pleased with the success rate and rapid growth which has transformed their former 'wasteland' into a veritable 'oasis'. This success grew from our detailed planning, selection of suitable plants, attention to soil preparation, and planting methods. Another critical factor was the after-installation care which established the plants quickly, ensuring their long-term success.
Before & After. On the left is the landscaping installed by the house builder, on the right is the garden we designed and installed. A space this large demands a large number of plants arranged in a cohesive manner to fill the space without overpowering the house.
A few months after the project was completed, Sean and Gail contacted us again and requested we create another landscape design for other areas of their residence. They wanted to increase the privacy in their backyard by screening the view to the neighbouring property, where construction of a new home was underway. They also wanted to replace the hedge of lilly pilly shrubs they had planted along the fence just outside their living room windows that weren't thriving.
Screening the view from the backyard required trees that wouldn't get too big because they would be planted relatively close to the house, and couldn't have invasive roots since they would be planted near an easement. We presented a few suitable plants to Sean and Gail and they chose the beautiful local native Eumundi Quandong. It is a dense, upright evergreen rainforest tree with dark green foliage accented by bronze new growth and clusters of sweetly scented cream coloured flowers in spring to summer. It's perfect for creating an attractive, dense screen where space is limited.
Backyard - Before & After.
We removed the grass, which would compete with the trees for water and nutrients, and created a raised bed with long lasting aluminium edging. Then we amended the soil with plenty of organic matter and minerals before planting and mulching. The Eumundi Quandong will grow to completely screen the view to the neighbouring house.
The hedge had to be quite narrow due to the small space between the fence and the side of the house. We presented a few options and Sean & Gail decided on a hybrid native Callistemon known as 'Slim.' As the name suggests, it grows up but not wide and can be pruned to the desired shape and height. 'Slim' has light-green foliage covered in bright red classic bottlebrush flowers during summer and again in autumn. It is also drought-tolerant, satisfying Sean & Gail's need for low-maintenance plants.
Before & After.
We removed the existing lilly pilly shrubs and surrounding grass then created a mulched bed with long lasting aluminium edging into which we planted the native Callistemon 'Slim.'
It's winter now but we can't wait to revisit in spring and summer to see the further unfolding of this beautiful garden. We're especially excited to see the many colours and variety of flowers ranging from white, yellow, orange and red through to deep purple. A garden like this is constantly evolving and changing and will provide Sean & Gail with enjoyment for many years to come.
Babingtonia virgata 'Feather Tips' from Go Green Rainforest Nursery.
Native grasses. Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Nafray' and 'Pennstripe' from Ecobotanics.
Native Hardenbergia violacea 'Meema' from Ecobotanics.