A steep bush block backing onto the National Park with 180 degree stunning views of the water, how inspiring! When I saw this garden I was pretty much blown away, what a dream to be able to work on this property, the house was newly built and nearly finished, the path and boulders were in place and Bundeena’s natural bushland is gorgeous.

The main part of the garden is actually the front, with a steep meandering pathway leading from the street throughout he private gate to the house. This is the clients second home which they hope to move into permanently later on down the track. Therefore the garden doesn’t get everyday TLC and needed to be fairly self sufficient.

Large mounds had been created, you can see one here that hides the boat shed from the street. The plantings needed to be bird and wild life attracting, adhere to fire restrictions and the recent DA and also have an underlying calm to go with the carefully positioned boulders that have been placed reminiscent of a Japanese Zen garden.

 

The garden was planted out about 6 months ago and establishment of the plants has been very quick, I used tough hardy ground covers like Grevillea ‘Gin Gin Gem’ and Rhagodia spinescens as you can see above.

The garden has a range of large Eucalyptus and small mallee style gums, followed by shrubs like Acacia fimbriata dwarf, Dodonaea ‘Mr Green Screen’ and Melaleuca incana.
Also in the mix are some Leucophyta browni and Eremophila glabra prostrate (you can see them below) which both are flowering their heads off and look wonderful next to the sandstone.

 

There are plenty of grasses to create a soft wispy appearance to the mounds and you wander down the path.

 

There are two magnificent Angophora costata growing up towards the house which have been underplanted with a large number of Macrozamia communis, which will imitate the bush of the south coast. The clients also had some rather humungous Dendrobium speciosum which have been added to the under storey planting of the Angophoras, along with Persoonia pinifolia and Doryanthes excelsa.

 

As you move up towards the house an intimate courtyard space has been created, this is also the arrival garden if you drive up the driveway.

 

 

This area has been kept to a bare minimum with planting, a lush green backdrop has been created using Kennedia nigricans, there are three grass trees near the house that will be surrounded by a carpet of Myoporum then the main focus will be the three boulders.

This area has been kept to a bare minimum with planting, a lush green backdrop has been created using Kennedia nigricans, there are three grass trees near the house that will be surrounded by a carpet of Myoporum then the main focus will be the three boulders.

As the site was so large and there were several parties involved I decided to design it in CAD, meaning I could make changes and communicate visually quickly and efficiently, there was lots of long distance discussion so this really paid off.

 

To see how this garden is shaping up follow this link https://malleedesign.com.au/portfolio-bundeena-re-visited/