Garden
integrated sink
Shed shelves Make the most of your outdoor storage spots by designing them to serve double duty. Shelving along one end of this garden shed in the UK is a useful spot to keep firewood dry and unused pots close at hand. It’s also a good stashing place for small toys, tools and other outdoor accessories that can wind up all over your backyard.
To provide shelter outdoors A laser-cut screen can function as an outdoor awning, serving to reduce the effects of sun and rain on the exterior of a home or balcony. The greater the depth of the screen, the more protection it will provide. Plus, check out the great shadow it makes on the wall behind
. To shield a home for privacy Combatting the issue of privacy in inner-city suburbs, this laser-cut screen blocks out neighbours’ views into the upstairs master bedroom. The tree motif is inspired by the shadow created by a tree removed from the site, and it screens 70 per cent of the view into and out of the bedroom. This allows unobstructed light to stream in from above.
The fruity variety Podocarpus elatus, a native to the east coast of Australia, which is commonly known as the bush plum, has started to create a following amongst landscapers as a privacy solution for the modern home. When grown on their own, bush plum can reach nearly 30m high as a tree, however, when planted in rows at 15cm centres, they form the perfect hedge for privacy and can be kept to a height of 150cm if required. The great thing about bush plum is that they don’t get too wide, which makes them great for small blocks where every bit of space needs to be utilised. The textured foliage, which resembles fingers, creates an interesting focal point and the perfect backdrop to a garden.
The resilient variety Most people are familiar with the old favourite mother in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata), an old-school plant that has made a comeback in recent years.Sansevieria stuckyi is a new cultivar and features longer, thicker stems that grow to around 120cm long. This striking plant works just as well in pots as it does in the ground, and will happily handle the harsh conditions near the coast or up on balconies and rooftops. It’s also extremely drought tolerant. While it doesn’t provide the thickest of screens, it works well when you still want to let a bit of dappled light through.
A new cultivar called Magnolia grandiflora ‘Teddy Bear‘ is also currently taking the market by storm. The ‘Teddy Bear’ features the same two-toned leaves and the iconic large white flowers. The big difference is the way the ‘Teddy Bear’ tends to form a tighter more dense foliage, making it a great option for screening and privacy.
Garden path leading to a seating/table area in he garden
Garden path The entrance path to this home is illuminated with strip lighting. The glow of the concealed lights outlines the edge of the path and decking and provides atmospheric light in the evening and night.
Bamboo for built-in planter (place it against fences?)
Bamboo for built-in planter (place it against fences?)
Chose space-saving plants with small footprints that could be planted in narrow spots, such as bamboo and palms, rather than space-hungry hedges - 'Slender weavers bamboo'
One of these plants for the balcony & nice moss (Landscape designer: Julia Levitt, co-founder and landscape designer at Sticks and Stones Landscape Design Location: Balmain, NSW) : Heliconia hot rio. Philodendron xanadu. Philodendron rojo congo. Sansevieria moonshine. King bromeliad. Zoysia grass.
Heliconia hot rio. Philodendron xanadu. Philodendron rojo congo. Sansevieria moonshine. King bromeliad. Zoysia grass.
Espalier a fruit tree If a wall forms part of your produce garden, plant a fruit tree to hug the wall and practice the ancient art of espalier. Aaron Worth from Utopia Landscape Design says sculpting the tree to a two-dimensional plane exposes all the branches to the sun. “There will be a greater density of fruit,” he says. Try espaliering apples, pears, peaches or citrus.
Go vertical… …With lettuce, strawberries, spinach, bok choy, spring onions and herbs. Vegetables need to be able to thrive in compact growing mediums so don’t choose vegies that have dense or deep root systems. Worth says some vertical garden systems rely on small pots along a wall system. “Go for something that is more like a trough, so there’s space to grow the vegetables,
Choose Corten steel Corten weathering steel develops a striking rusted patina that improves with age. Grant Boyle from Fig Landscapes says the mild steel lends itself to contemporary homes. “It’s a good alternative to timber, if you are looking for something with a little bit of a modern edge. Unlike timber you don’t need to maintain it and it can be sculpted into virtually any shape or size,” he says.
Sticks and stones landscape design, sydney Building along one wall is an efficient use of space. Adding moveable, low-maintenance furniture makes the space friendly and welcoming.
BBQ seating area
BBQ seating area
Do we have room to out this BBQ seating area in the garden?
Veggie boxes
Veggie boxes
Veggie boxes
Veggie garden
Veggie boxes
Veggie boxes
Veggie boxes
Veggie garden
Veggie garden
Veggie garden
Veggie boxes
Cool outdoor armchairs
Low patio wall
Tree & bench around it. BBQ pathway
Glowing orbs dot the pool, moving slowly across the water’s surface, and soft uplights wash the perimeter walls with a subtle warmth.
Low growing plants
Courtyard tree: The Silver Princess Finally, another tree not often thought of for courtyards is Eucalyptus caesia, commonly known as silver princess. This tree can often be seen staked out at the front of homes, showing off its brilliantly waxy bark and rose-pink flowers. As long as your courtyard receives enough light, this could be a great feature
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