Rhonda’s Garden

This garden brought a number of interesting design challenges. A contemporary new build in a quaint Victorian town, the house required a garden that would both suit the house and settle in in to its country setting. Set on a 1/4 acre block, the brief was to make the small garden appear larger and more secluded than it was. It also needed to squeeze in recreational spaces for the owner to share with visiting family and grand children.

The result was achieved through the use of a number of techniques to trick the eye. A winding path through a tall perennial border that runs the length of the house gives the block instant depth, as well as privacy from the road. Raised mounds throughout the border add height and interest.

A small opening in the border towards the kitchen creates a secluded spot to entertain or sit around a fire. To the rear of the house, a veggie patch ensures a productive food garden, while an outdoor bath hidden from view provides a delightful sanctuary to relax and take it all in.

The naturalistic planting scheme is the ideal stylistic solution, being at once contemporary and yet romantic and cottage-like. It perfectly settles the contemporary architecture into the town landscape.

Drawing on inspiration from meadows, the garden bursts with colour and life throughout Spring and Summer. In Autumn it transitions to a more dusty colour scheme, that then gives way to the winter structure of frost-covered grasses and seed heads.