Perennial perfection This suburban backyard becomes a garden for all seasons
A SUBURBAN BACKYARD IS TRANSFORMED INTO A LUSH TROPICAL ESCAPE WHERE EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR FEELS LIKE A HOLIDAY
Barnie and Tiur are the first to admit that neither of them have a green thumb. “When we bought our place, the backyard was fairly boring with a few hedges and pear trees,” says Barnie. “And over eight years we unintentionally killed it all!” Their dog Sumi also managed to destroy the grass. Keen to turn the space into a year-round oasis, the couple enlisted Tim Rayson of Colombo Design Partnership to create a low-maintenance hideaway, with a pool where their three-year-old son, Tion, could splash about. “Tiur is from Indonesia, so we wanted to evoke the feel of the dense tropical gardens she grew up with,” explains Barnie. Another aim was to screen out a neighbouring building and blur boundaries so the garden felt larger.
A space-savvy solution was to align the pool along the western boundary. “We built a new smaller deck, better suited to the proportions of the backyard and notched the pool in, which maximised space,” explains Tim. Elevating the pool provides a seamless access point to the deck. “It helped give a resort feel,” says Tim. “With an internal submerged seat along the length of the pool, people have the option to sit in the sun or shade.”
‘Slender Weaver’ bamboo forms a dense green screen around the perimeter in keeping with the tropical scheme. In lieu of grass, random bluestone pavers interspersed with hardy kidney weed create a spot for their son to play and for alfresco entertaining. Crepe myrtles provide continual interest with their pretty summer blooms and foliage that turns striking shades of red and auburn in late autumn.
“Our living area has floor-to-ceiling glass doors with views of the backyard,” says Barnie. “We get so much enjoyment from it every day, and with Tim’s clever selection of plants, we can appreciate seasonal change. There is always something different popping up year-round for us to enjoy.”
SECRET GARDEN
In the secluded lower area, bluestone stepping-stone pavers provide a sturdy foundation for a wire chair and ‘Trunk’ stool, both from HK Living. “To achieve an organic look we shaved the edges of the pavers,” explains landscape designer Tim Rayson. Kidney weed forms green rivers of ground cover, while strappy iris and the broad leaves of ornamental rhubarb thrive in the lush garden bed.
SCREEN SCENE
‘Slender Weaver’ bamboo was the ideal screening plant for the perimeter – with dense upright growth it doesn’t encroach on precious space, unlike the thick hedges that previously hemmed in the backyard. It was also important to incorporate a spa within the pool so it could be enjoyed year-round. “When we’re not in the water, the pool with its waterfall edge is a great backdrop to the garden,” says Barnie of the wet area finished in charcoal-grey tiles to complement the dark granite and bluestone surrounds.
KEY MATERIALS
Decking 130mm x 19mm blackbutt timber, $11.74/m, Tait. Pool facing 400mm x 800mm x 20mm flamed-finish granite in Nero Notte, $71.50/sqm, Granite Works. Pool tiles Cotto 48mm x 48mm ceramic mosaic in Charcoal, $60/sqm, Coulson Tiles. Stepper stones 30mm Australian bluestone landscape-grade billets (fashioned on site), $80/sqm, KHD Landscape Engineering Solutions.* Stockists, page 204
CONTACTS
Landscape designer Tim Rayson, Colombo Design Partnership, (03) 9510 6548, colombo.com.au. Pool Dean Jones, Neptune, (03) 9870 5282, neptunepools.com.au.