Month: December 2013

  • Portfolio: Greenwich Garden Design

    Portfolio: Greenwich Garden Design

    This is a garden that I designed back in 2011 and recently revisited to re-tweek some difficult spots and increase the planting area. The rear garden is very steep and has been terraced with sandstone retaining walls, the furthest section of the garden is in heavy shade and was suffering from erosion. There is a…

  • Another Native Christmas Tree? Graptophyllum excelsum

    Another Native Christmas Tree? Graptophyllum excelsum

    Do you think this qualifies as festive looking? It is covered in beautiful bright red flowers over summer (and Christmas), lovely glossy green leaves, and has a sibling called a Holly, I think it ticks all the boxes. This is Graptophyllum excelsum, and would look pretty good dressed up in tinsel.

  • Horizontal Contrast: Homoranthus flavescens

    Horizontal Contrast: Homoranthus flavescens

    Homoranthus flavescens is a striking plant, the foliage appears succulent and conifer like and the branches grow almost horizontally and appear to layer on top of each other, plus it has a beautiful grey green leaf, making it a wonderful feature shrub in a planting.

  • Wonderful Street Trees: Backhousia citriodora

    Wonderful Street Trees: Backhousia citriodora

    I was driving through Huntershill and onto Ryde yesterday and I was overjoyed to see the most wonderful sight, rows upon rows of Lemon Myrtle in full bloom, planted out in the streets. Finally! a council using its head when it comes to street trees! I know it is not the only one, I have…

  • More Native Christmas Trees

    More Native Christmas Trees

    Whilst I am feeling slightly Christmassy I thought I’d sing the praise of one of our most recognisable native plants, the NSW Christmas Bush Horah! don’t they look amazing at the moment? something in  the strange spring we had must be setting them off. I love these trees whether they are in their white spring…

  • Native Christmas Tree

    Native Christmas Tree

    So I can be a bit of a grinch when it comes to Christmas, it makes it hard when your kids are feeling the christmas cheer and really, really want to be festive. Nothing wrong with being festive its just all the rubbish that seems to go along with it, the rubbish you have to…

  • Portfolio: Consult Figtree

    Portfolio: Consult Figtree

    I have been busy this week planting out a consult design in Wollongong, it has been very satisfying cleaning up an aged garden, digging up weeds and tree roots and planting fresh natives. The bones of the garden were already there, pathways, existing large trees and a brand new renovation and deck, what was needed…