Reeds There’s something quite poetic about the slender leaves and graceful forms of reeds, particularly when they move in the wind. This contrasts beautifully with the bold architecture of the built structures that often surround minimalist gardens. Many reeds such as the New Zealand native jointed wire rush or oioi (Apodasmia similis) are extremely versatile plants, and are able to cope with difficult conditions such as boggy or dry soil, wind, salt spray and heat. Plant in large groups for maximum effect. Take care when selecting reed species. Some such as the horsetail reed (pictured) are considered invasive in New Zealand and parts of Australia, as they spread very quickly through spores, and some varieties can be toxic to livestock. Always check with your local nursery, council or the Department of Conservation.
. Japanese maple The Japanese created some of the earliest minimalist gardens, and maples were always a key plant in those gardens. The key attractions of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are distinctive, beautifully-coloured foliage and graceful branch patterns when not in leaf. These are small trees that range in size from 5 metres high to tiny 1-metre cultivars, so they’re suitable for small gardens, courtyards and pots. Japanese maples look stunning when positioned in front of a plain wall where their vibrant colours can be appreciated.
Tree aloe For sheer impact in a minimalist space it’s hard to beat the tree aloe (Aloe barberae). This native of South Africa and Mozambique can reach up to 18 metres, but as it’s slow growing it can take years to reach that height. Drought tolerant and easy to care for, tree aloes do need shelter from the cold. Their ability to cope with high temperatures makes them ideal for locations like this one, where there is a lot of hard landscaping and therefore considerable reflected heat. There are several other aloe species that bear the same common name of tree aloe as they grow upwards on tree trunks, but Aloe barberae is the tallest. To accentuate the striking form of your tree aloe, light it at night from below as shown here.
10. Queensland bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris) The bottle tree is an awesome feature tree. It can quickly grow to 3 to 5 metres, where it will remain for many years while developing its distinctive bottle-shape trunk. The canopy and roots can be easily trimmed to contain its size, which will only reach 4 to 7 metres in an urban garden environment. STAR QUALITY: Makes a beautiful feature tree
Flapjacks (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) Flapjacks are some of the most striking succulents. Their paddle-shaped leaves stack in a rosette formation similar to the distinctive fan aloe, and the outer edges colour up in full winter sun, like fire sticks. They work well in gardens as mass planting that grows under larger sculptural plants, as shown, but are equally at home in pots and bowls. Flapjacks are easy going and propagate quickly. STAR QUALITY: Propagates freely
Fire sticks (Euphorbia tirucalli) Fire sticks’ fine texture and vivid colour make a wonderful focal point in the garden. Colours range from lime green to rosy red with the most intense colour occurring in winter on plants in full sun. Good news for subtropical gardeners, fire sticks are more tolerant of ordinary soil than most succulents and can be planted alongside moisture-loving plants. STAR QUALITY: Adds colour to a winter garden
Aloe While many of us have an Aloe vera tucked into our herb garden for its well-known healing properties, most will not be aware that there are over 500 different types of Aloes available worldwide. The fan aloe (Aloe picatilis), pictured above, with its attractive grey-green leaves, is distinguished by its unique fan-like arrangement. It is a fine example of the interesting structural Aloe species available. Keep your eyes open for some exceptional winter flowering hybrid varieties for sale in nurseries, such as Aloe ‘Big Red’.
Jade plant (Crassula ovata) Jade plant (the tallest succulent pictured) is an attractive low shrub with a thick woody trunk and shiny ovate leaves. Jade plant is easy to grow and has amazing longevity. It prefers a well-drained sunny position but will tolerate a range of conditions. It spreads slowly but spontaneously by way of dropped leaves and stems that take root. Jade plant requires little water and attention, making it a great succulent for the horticulturally challenged, but will, actually, look its best with ample summer watering.
Echevaria In this pot, Echavaria ‘Afterglow’ is a star plant and is surrounded by Agaves and chalk sticks (Senecio mandraliscae). Echevarias are a beautiful group of succulents that are like little jewels – their colour and size vary throughout the group but all have a distinct rosette shape. They grow and flower during the summer, while winter’s cooler weather encourages more pronounced colour in their leaves. They are drought hardy once established but thrive with adequate water during their growing season, which suits the humid summers and dry winters of the subtropics well. STAR QUALITY: Can be used as focal planting in a succulent bed or pot
Pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens) Pigface, with its gorgeous pink flowers and fleshy leaves, is an attractive ground cover useful for binding sandy soils. It is a creeping succulent pioneer that is endemic to NSW and Queensland beaches. In its native environment, it acts to stabilise sand dunes but can also be grown successfully in a well-drained sunny position in the garden.
Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis sp.) Mistletoe cactus is an epiphytic cacti with a draping nature, perfect for hanging. It is pictured above, spilling over the edge of the pot. I was intrigued by Rhipsalis sp. after reading an article on the plant online. I put an order into my local nursery who then supplied me with five different varieties. I have since planted them into hanging pots and vertical gardens and am happy to report they are all thriving. STAR QUALITY: Looks great in hanging baskets or in pots that require spill
Fearns Studio Save Email You can also turn your boring boundary walls from a negative into a positive by growing climbing plants on them. Instead of staring at a bare masonry wall, the plant will draw your attention upwards. The climber will create height like a regular tree would without encroaching on valuable floor space. Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) or Climbing Fig (Ficus pumila) are classic choices, however, if you are after something slightly more unique, try a climbing rose or bougainvillea instead.
To mirror a hidden world Mirrors in gardens are like small portholes to a hidden world. Although they are seldom seen in gardens, when they are used, they’re very effective at camouflaging themselves into the surrounding landscape and creating a gateway into a world beyond. They add visual interest and curiosity, and extend the boundaries of any garden space.
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.
8. Select plants to fit the space Upright plants, such as bamboo and bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) in narrow planters soften and reduce the impact of the height of the tall boundary walls and fences. Where space is even tighter you could also train climbers to grow up the walls to add greenery.
7. Vary ground surfaces The use of timber boardwalks, slate paving and different-size rocks adds excitement to the journey along the side of this Perth house. The subtropical planting of a scented frangipani and cycads strengthens its exotic appeal.
4. Obtain privacy with hanging plants and ornaments When neighbours are very close to the boundary, as in this Perth garden, hanging plants and other decorative pieces can create a layered screening effect. A climbing plant trained horizontally along the wooden archway adds another layer to the screen. The great thing about this idea is that it lets light penetrate while ensuring the garden still has a sense of privacy and seclusion.
All aflame. Reliving that camping getaway at home is easy with some simple seating positioned around a fire pit. Break out the marshmallows, gaze up at the stars, and you could just as well be far from home
Tropical hideaway. Who needs to go to Bali when you can have an exotic escape as blissful as this? And you don’t even have to miss out on your favourite TV shows. Midnight dip, anyone?
Bush retreat. Getting back to nature is the aim in this amazing backyard cabin. It has a clear roof to let in the moonlight, and the bed is suspended off the floor with ropes hung from the rafters.
sedum instead of lawn
artificial turf
With house and garden linked under functional guidelines, areas of the garden can both be the living kitchen larder and allow the owner to relax by reconnecting with the soil. But instead of traditional-style garden beds, there are simple architectural raised beds that are both efficient and functional, making the best use of the space.
The Swedish Garden Architects’ Association’s blueprint for functional garden design pinpoints the way trees should be used. As with the hardscape and other plantings, trees should serve a purpose in the garden, not just be objects of decoration. Trees should provide fruit, either growing in a standard way or espaliered against walls or fences, or should create shade in recreational areas of the garden, as shown here.
Stepping stones may seem like a mundane feature in garden design, but functional designers like the way those stones can blend with the softer surrounding landscape and really unite the plan. Notice here how a simple run of stepping stones links the house with the back deck.
Link function to function with utilitarian pathways You would think that by their very nature, paths and steps are functional, yet in many styles of garden design, they are anything but utilitarian. In functional gardens paths and stepping stones almost become catwalks – straight passageways leading directly to another space, not created as a design feature to highlight a distant viewpoint.
This one, nestled among the oaks in California’s Wine Country, is not for shy folks.
These oversized fixtures are at once sleek and almost cartoonish. (I mean that in a good way – the outdoor spigot is the icing on the cake.) There’s great contrast between the natural texture of the pebbled walls and tiled floor and the industrial-sized metal spouts.
10. Accentuate the plumbing as an architectural element This steel column has heft and style. BONUS TIP: Add a second tap down low for rinsing off sandy feet.
Blend the shower with the landscape This stone wall marries the shower’s architecture with the landscape architecture, while woolly pockets create vertical garden walls around it.
David Rolston Landscape Architects Save Email 1. Carve a niche in the wall A shower niche will keep your supplies close at hand. This one even has a bit of playful peekaboo going on, as it is open to the other side of the stall.
Art boulders. A huge rock (or three or four) can do wonders to bring focus to your garden – define a zone, add interest to a grassy area or accent your favourite spot with just one great big rock. Plain boulders are beautiful on their own, but painted ones are another option to consider for an artful twist. You can either purchase rocks with painted designs or create your own.
Birdhouse and bee house tuteurs. Set atop colourful tuteur-style bases, these birdhouses and bee habitats are as beautiful to look at as they are beneficial to the garden. Grow climbing plants around their bases to integrate them into your landscape.
Hanging birdbath. Love birdbaths but need to keep your feathered friends away from the felines? Try a hanging birdbath. The birds will love being out of harm’s way, and the hanging bath will provide visual interest.
MAKE IT STAND OUT If budgets will allow, lighting the water movement is the last finishing touch to the feature. At night you will be treated to dancing shadows throughout the space, which offers a mesmerising element to the water feature experience. A water feature is a great addition to any garden, courtyard or landscaped space. When done well, it provides the calming, soothing sound of moving water, which makes for an inviting outdoor area you won’t want to leave – and the best bit is you don’t have to spend a fortune to make it happen.
Water walls Similarly, water walls are perfect for a small courtyard, rooftop, alfresco area or larger garden space, and are cost-effective and space-saving, too. The other interesting benefit of a water wall is that they offer a quieter sound of water, as the water simply trickles down the face and doesn’t drop and splash, which can be quite noisy. There is nothing worse than a noisy water feature in a small space; it can turn the relaxing sound of water into an annoying loud gushing feature you will never want to turn on.
Cap it and plumb it up at one end and have it spill over into a lower concealed pit, again covered with pebbles. You are then able to design the lower pebbles into a circle, Rhyl or feature shape to add a bit of designer flare to the space.
BUILD YOUR OWN WATER FEATURE C-section spouts Another great low-cost water feature is to find an old, recycled piece of ‘c section’ steel and sit it on a wall or raised garden bed.
Know your local laws Secondly, ensure the water feature is safe and compliant to your local laws. Local laws will vary from state to state, so ensure you check what is allowed and design the water feature accordingly. In Victoria, a water feature can be no deeper than 300mm, otherwise it requires a pool fence. It is best to build them to be 280mm deep with an overflow outlet, to ensure they don’t fill up after rain and become deeper than the allowed 300mm
Fireplaces Because it’s a non-combustible material, Corten is a great choice for a fireplace backdrop – both functionally and aesthetically
4. Water features Here, a concrete retaining wall is clad in a Corten steel veneer. The water leaves streaks adding to the individual character of the feature
Birch trees It’s all about drama in the minimalist garden and the elegant trunks of birch trees (Betula) are right on the money. There are about 60 species in this genus of deciduous trees and shrubs, several with distinctive silvery white trunks like these. Plant in groups of three or more for maximum impact with a low ground cover such as ajuga or ‘bugle flower’ below, so that the eye is drawn to the trunks of the trees. Birches are frost-tolerant and not fussy about soil, but need watering during dry weather when young. Other trees with lovely sculptural trunks include crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) and shadbush (Amelanchier canadensis).
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