Second Life: The Plant Overhaul That Changed Up a Suburban Garden
In an extract from ‘Secret Gardens’, landscape designer Matthew Cantwell takes us on a tour of a lush, informal garden
Landscape designer Matthew Cantwell walks us through the planting decisions and schemes that grew this corner block in Sydney’s lower North Shore into a lush retreat, breathing new life into the space.
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We’re giving away two copies of Matthew Cantwell’s new book, Secret Gardens (New Holland), valued at RRP $59.95 each. For your opportunity to get a copy, answer this question in the Comments section in 25 words or less.
My dream garden is …
Competition ends at 5pm AEST Friday 4 May 2018. Competition is open to Australian residents only. Click here for full terms and conditions.
* THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED *
* THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED *
COMMENT TO WIN!
We’re giving away two copies of Matthew Cantwell’s new book, Secret Gardens (New Holland), valued at RRP $59.95 each. For your opportunity to get a copy, answer this question in the Comments section in 25 words or less.
My dream garden is …
Competition ends at 5pm AEST Friday 4 May 2018. Competition is open to Australian residents only. Click here for full terms and conditions.
* THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED *
One of the benefits of being positioned on a corner block is one less neighbour. The downside though is exposure to passing traffic and a lack of privacy, a real issue for our clients. This was particularly evident in the front garden.
The garden design called for a complete change of planting, there was very little from the original scheme that we wanted to retain. The existing trees and the sloping block set the tone for a more informal approach, particularly to the front and sides. Our clients also preferred plants that were lush or with interesting and contrasting foliage types, so these were a prominent element in the new garden.
An important consideration for our design team initially was how the house was viewed from the street, both at the front and down the entire length of one side. This is always an important part of our designs, ensuring the view from the street back to the subject house is considered and the planting nestles the house into the landscape, providing a hint of mystery and intrigue. In this case, striking a balance between privacy to the upper levels whilst maintaining ample winter sun was a key consideration.
The house was positioned below street level at the front, and large areas of glazing into the living areas were a privacy issue. We were keen to ensure the garden presented well not just to our clients looking out but also for the neighbours looking in, so the selection and placement of screening shrubs and trees was important to guarantee we did not end up with a rigid wall of hedging.
The house was positioned below street level at the front, and large areas of glazing into the living areas were a privacy issue. We were keen to ensure the garden presented well not just to our clients looking out but also for the neighbours looking in, so the selection and placement of screening shrubs and trees was important to guarantee we did not end up with a rigid wall of hedging.
This was made easier due to a large area along the northern side that belonged to the local council. In consultation with council, the planting scheme incorporated some natives, an important accompaniment to the angophoras, with the bolder, foliaged ornamentals our clients were keen on setting the tone for the entrance garden, and some of the internal spaces and rear garden.
This additional space on the northern front garden enabled screening to be planted through the centre, tapering with the planting heights on both sides, ensuring our clients and neighbours could enjoy the view into the garden. Tristaniopsis laurina ‘Luscious’, Banksia integrifolia, Syzygium luehmannii and Cupaniopsis anacardioides provide the taller screening through areas of the front garden and along the side nature strip. These trees enhanced the feeling the angophoras provided, that the house was floating in the canopy, and we were peering over and
through the treetops to the greater landscape beyond.
This additional space on the northern front garden enabled screening to be planted through the centre, tapering with the planting heights on both sides, ensuring our clients and neighbours could enjoy the view into the garden. Tristaniopsis laurina ‘Luscious’, Banksia integrifolia, Syzygium luehmannii and Cupaniopsis anacardioides provide the taller screening through areas of the front garden and along the side nature strip. These trees enhanced the feeling the angophoras provided, that the house was floating in the canopy, and we were peering over and
through the treetops to the greater landscape beyond.
Zamia, euphorbia, bird of paradise, agave, westringia, lomandra and hardenbergia were planted en masse for greatest effect. In the entrance garden the tone and foliage types were fresher, in keeping with the clients’ brief, and so lady palm, alcantarea, giant palm lily,
philodendrons, bromeliads and zebra plant were just some of the plants used to providing a cooling effect to the entrance.
A water bowl with a rust finish to match the front door was positioned in the garden adjacent to the path; it bubbled away, concentrating your focus within the garden. The bold planting then meandered sharply down the embankment to a large window below the path, crucial to letting light in to the lower levels of the home. This window was adjacent to the internal staircase, providing a private view into the front garden and the perfect position for a sculpture.
‘Flying’ was commissioned by the renowned artist Greg Johns and provided a whimsical impression when looking through the window from the house, through the sea of foliage and the dappled light streaming through the canopy of the angophoras.
philodendrons, bromeliads and zebra plant were just some of the plants used to providing a cooling effect to the entrance.
A water bowl with a rust finish to match the front door was positioned in the garden adjacent to the path; it bubbled away, concentrating your focus within the garden. The bold planting then meandered sharply down the embankment to a large window below the path, crucial to letting light in to the lower levels of the home. This window was adjacent to the internal staircase, providing a private view into the front garden and the perfect position for a sculpture.
‘Flying’ was commissioned by the renowned artist Greg Johns and provided a whimsical impression when looking through the window from the house, through the sea of foliage and the dappled light streaming through the canopy of the angophoras.
The view from the top-floor rear terrace through the angophora trunks was the most dramatic on the property. It was a clear reminder of the scale and majesty of these trees, and a commanding view over the rear garden. At the base of the trees a clump of xanthorrhoea or grass trees provide a strong visual impact when viewed from above, particularly when the morning sun passes through them.
This was an important consideration, selecting plants for the lower level, ensuring they had visual impact from above as well as from the lower level within the garden. The need for privacy on the northern side continued in the rear garden, and so tuckeroos and lilly pilly were planted along the boundary.
This was an important consideration, selecting plants for the lower level, ensuring they had visual impact from above as well as from the lower level within the garden. The need for privacy on the northern side continued in the rear garden, and so tuckeroos and lilly pilly were planted along the boundary.
Giant elephant ears, frangipani, philodendron ‘Xanadu’, blechnum ‘Silver Lady’ and alcantareas added boldness, easily appreciated from the upper levels of the house. Furniture and decorative planters were added to terraces and poolside. A built-in BBQ matching the colour and detail of the kitchen completed the upper terrace, and a built-in bench was added to the lower garden, designed to supplement finishes utilised in the house design.
This was a challenging site. I can’t remember another where we had to consider so many different angles of view from inside and out. From the outset, our clients were on board with our direction, particularly our desire to design a garden that not only incorporated their preferences, but was also respectful to the streetscape and to the trees that dominate the site.
Gardens are the glue that bind our houses to the street surrounds. This garden highlights the need to stand across the street, take a long, hard look back and consider how a garden can be appreciated looking in, as much as looking out.
Gardens are the glue that bind our houses to the street surrounds. This garden highlights the need to stand across the street, take a long, hard look back and consider how a garden can be appreciated looking in, as much as looking out.
The plant list
Century plant (Agave attenuata)
Bromeliad (Alcantarea glaziouana)
Imperial bromeliad (Alcantarea imperialis ‘Rubra’)
Elephant ears (Alocasia macrorrhiza)
Shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet)
Sydney red gum (Angophora costata)
Century plant (Agave attenuata)
Bromeliad (Alcantarea glaziouana)
Imperial bromeliad (Alcantarea imperialis ‘Rubra’)
Elephant ears (Alocasia macrorrhiza)
Shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet)
Sydney red gum (Angophora costata)
Coastal banksia (Banksia integrifolia)
Dwarf tree fern (Blechnum gibbum ‘Silver Lady’)
Zebra plant (Calathea zebrina)
Powder puff plant (Calliandra spp.)
Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa
‘Desert Star’)
Ti plant (Cordyline glauca)
Giant palm lily (Cordyline manners-suttoniae)
Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides)
Japanese sago palm (Cycas revoluta)
Dwarf tree fern (Blechnum gibbum ‘Silver Lady’)
Zebra plant (Calathea zebrina)
Powder puff plant (Calliandra spp.)
Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa
‘Desert Star’)
Ti plant (Cordyline glauca)
Giant palm lily (Cordyline manners-suttoniae)
Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides)
Japanese sago palm (Cycas revoluta)
Kidney weed (Dichondra repens)
Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’)
Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia wulfenii)
Hardenbergia ‘Flat White’
Mat rush (Lomandra confertifolia ‘Little Con’ and Lomandra confertifolia ‘Tilga’)
Orange jessamine (Murraya paniculata)
Walking iris (Neomarica northiana)
Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’)
Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia wulfenii)
Hardenbergia ‘Flat White’
Mat rush (Lomandra confertifolia ‘Little Con’ and Lomandra confertifolia ‘Tilga’)
Orange jessamine (Murraya paniculata)
Walking iris (Neomarica northiana)
Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Philodendron ‘Rojo Congo’
Philodendron ‘Xanadu’
Frangipani (Plumeria spp.)
Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa)
Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
Scrub cherry (Syzygium australe ‘Resilience’)
Riberry (Syzygium luehmannii)
Water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina ‘Luscious’)
Native violet (Viola hederacea)
Bromeliad (Vreisia carinata)
Grass tree (Xanthorrhoea spp.)
Cardboard plant (Zamia furfuracea)
Philodendron ‘Xanadu’
Frangipani (Plumeria spp.)
Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa)
Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
Scrub cherry (Syzygium australe ‘Resilience’)
Riberry (Syzygium luehmannii)
Water gum (Tristaniopsis laurina ‘Luscious’)
Native violet (Viola hederacea)
Bromeliad (Vreisia carinata)
Grass tree (Xanthorrhoea spp.)
Cardboard plant (Zamia furfuracea)
The site plan
This is an edited extract from Secret Gardens by Matthew Cantwell (New Holland, RRP $59.95).
* THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED *
COMMENT TO WIN!
We’re giving away two copies of Matthew Cantwell’s new book, Secret Gardens (New Holland), valued at RRP $59.95 each. For your chance to get a copy, answer this question in the Comments section in 25 words or less.
My dream garden is …
Competition ends at 5pm AEST Friday 4 May 2018. Competition is open to Australian residents only. Click here for full terms and conditions.
* THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED *
* THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED *
COMMENT TO WIN!
We’re giving away two copies of Matthew Cantwell’s new book, Secret Gardens (New Holland), valued at RRP $59.95 each. For your chance to get a copy, answer this question in the Comments section in 25 words or less.
My dream garden is …
Competition ends at 5pm AEST Friday 4 May 2018. Competition is open to Australian residents only. Click here for full terms and conditions.
* THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED *
The garden is located on a corner block, on a sloping site perched above Chinaman’s Beach on Sydney’s lower north shore. Visiting for the first time, I immediately noticed the
five Angophora costata trees, or Sydney red gum as they are commonly known, that hovered above the house. There were two located in the front, one to the side and the remaining two in the rear garden.
This is an iconic tree in the Sydney region and I always associate them with an undulating landscape and filtered views to inland waterways; here was no exception. They provided a dramatic impact and we were excited about creating a garden beneath them.