Fresh Ideas

Expert advice on designing a visually delightful yet user-friendly garden

Not all of us can afford the services of a landscaper to create and construct the garden of our dreams. The best alternative is to engage a design professional for perhaps two to three hours only, for a few practical suggestions and money saving tips. We asked landscape designer Rick Eckersley, of Eckersley Stafford Design, to explain how a garden is created. To illustrate Rick’s approach, we showcase one of his designs – a graceful green-and-white garden in Armadale, Vic.




Communication is the key

“Although I’m influenced by what a garden presents during my first visit, I start with a blank canvas in my mind,” says Rick. For a design to work, the entire process needs to be a two-way interaction of ideas. “Of course, the clients’ brief is important; but the role of a designer is to explain why their plans may not work and how these can be refined.” In this case, the clients wanted a spacious feel to their garden; they needed the layout to be suitable for use by younger and older children; and they wanted the design to be in keeping with the architecture of the house. “Contrary to popular belief, an older architectural-style building can be placed in a modern setting,” says Rick. In this instance, he opted for a contemporary look with an Edwardian feel – a perfect match for the stately old home.

Immediately surrounding the house, he chose cottage-style plantings, including Euphorbia wulfenii, 'Just Joey' and 'Apricot Nectar' roses, and Wisteria sinensis 'Alba'. The utility areas were given a modern touch using grid-pattern paving, simply clipped box hedges and a non-decorative pergola without complicated fretwork.

The planting scheme is predominantly white, with just a hint of lemon, soft pink and apricot. These colours were chosen to give the garden a fresh, crisp look in summer. White plants flower continually from October through to February, and include dogwoods, miniature agapanthus, viburnums, wisteria and ‘Iceberg’ roses.

However, the design preferences of the landscaper do not always come to fruition. If Rick had had his way, there would have been no lawn in this garden. "The lawn is an absolute luxury," he says, adding that he would've liked to replace this one with plants to create a woodland setting. "Lawned areas are high maintenance. In fact, whenever a lawn is requested, it's usually by the male of the household. I think men love to sit on ride-on mowers - it's their time for thinking!"

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