GO COASTAL How to

A clever mix of native, tropical and exotic plants helped conjure a relaxed outdoor space for the owners of this eastern Sydney garden.

Tropical blend

The plant mix includes tropical and dry-climate species, such as giant white bird of paradise ( Strelitzia nicolai), blueberry ash ( Elaeocarpus reticulatus) and this fine-leafed South African species, Podocarpus henkelii.

Ceiling the deal

The 6x4m pergola has a clear polycarbonate roof with a slatted timber ‘ceiling’ to help diffuse the light. Outdoor sofa and chairs, Harbour 1976. Coffee table, Robert Plumb.

Poolside beauties

A red-flowering New Zealand Christmas tree ( Metrosideros excelsa) and white-blooming Indian hawthorn ( Rhaphiolepis ‘Snow Maiden’) add pops of colour in summer, joined by yellow-flowering groundcovers.

Tone and texture

Adam planted strappy-leafed plants next to round-leafed species, and darker greens alongside grey-greens such as this silver-toned Kalanchoe ‘Silver Spoons’. The textured scheme helps to disguise the triangular shape of the site, which is roughly 20x10m in the main section.