Courtyard Makeover
Recently we had the opportunity to renovate an existing small courtyard garden in Magill. It was an interesting project as the main focus was on replanting the existing garden using natives.
As part of the brief most of the existing hard landscaping elements were retained including trellis screens and brickpaving. The original hard landscaping elements were well considered and laid out providing an opportunity to build on and enhance the character of the setting using selected planting and simple but subtle focal elements. These included customer selected pots, lasercut metal panels, reuse of existing birdbaths and a customer requested stone cairn. The cairn was constructed from local quarrystone. In addition the beige boundary fencing was painted a soft green to lift the setting and compliment the planting and paving
An existing open concrete drain running the length of the rear boundary fence needed to be maintained for stormwater drainage, but the adjacent and slightly elevated garden needed retention to offset washaways over time. It was agreed to use Formboss edging to retain the garden given its narrow profile, subtlety and limited impact on bottlebrush roots. Where Formboss abutted paving, local quarry stone edging was installed to transition its height to garden or paving level.
Most of the existing garden plants were removed except for two charming Bottlebrushes, whose canopies stretch over much of the courtyard and cast a soft, filtered light over the main patio paving and gardens. Both were selectively thinned and their canopies raised to allow more light to penetrate new planting.
The existing irrigation mainlines where maintained as feedlines for new drip irrigation and where possible we utilised existing fittings, drippers and microtube. All other existing irrigation pipe and fitttings of no use were taken to a plastic recycler in Wingfield
New planting was predominately native but some existing plants where salvaged and reused including Aspidistra previously growing well under Bottlebrushes, a Dianella clump which was divided and massed around a new focal point garden pot and a Muelenbeckia creeper that was thinned, reduced and rehung on northern fence wire supports.
Where practical and feasible new native plants selections were to be local/endemic species. Some local species used included Poa poiformus, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Bursaria spinosa and Atriplex semibaccata. Some plants chosen for shady areas under Bottlebrushes include Lomandra hystrix, Viola hederacea, Correa, Ajuga reptans and variegated Dianella. Cordyline australis, a NZ native, was planted amongst the Lomandras and Aspidistra to provide some foliage colour contrast. We also found room for some dwarf fruit trees and raised veggie bed
If you are considering giving your existing garden a makeover perhaps consider a native garden. Well planned native planting requires little irrigation once established, are generally low maintenance and can suit formal or more relaxed settings. Reusing your existing garden layout will ultimately save resources and costs on a complete garden renewal. Sometimes all it takes is a little creative thinking and minor tweaking to re imagine your existing garden, and reach an equally satisfying and more sustainable outcome. Touch base today to arrange a garden consult