21/06/2026
I am going to try something different and break down this project and give reasons why things were done the way they were. If you would like to have a read good stuff, if not keep on scrolling. I'm alright at the landscaping but this writing thing not so much. I could get drilled on that's not how it should be done but opinions are like butt holes, everybody has one.
So here goes, I had plenty of options for the clients in this part of the yard that was never used or only visited to mow the lawn š¤®. Now used daily.
The easy option was to remove the exisiting Lilly pilly hedge which was diseased and just past its used by date, new edging, hedge and lawn. Or option 2 what would I do if it was my yard?
Already been told by the clients that they would like a fire pit area somewhere, maybe a water feature and to attract the birds to the yard especially the smaller ones.
I could have suggested a number of types of retaining wall options, though to keep the cost down and trying hard for the water feature I suggested the treated pine sleepers, using 100mm logs as posts and 75mm thick sleepers. I would never recommend 50mm sleepers in treated pine as they just don't last as long and as for posts, never sleepers as it is the thickness you are looking for not the width. Then when it comes to council regs that's a whole new ball game that a lot of people don't know.
For the the fire pit area I suggested crushed granite and not paving, again to keep the cost down and in reality when you have a fire there is going to be ash, dirt and grime over time. where as for the crushed granite it is easier to maintain and if there is any settling over time you can always add a bucket or 3. Yes w**ds will grow! They do through paving as well. If once a month you walk around with a spray bottle of round up. Or if you prefer no chemicals you can hand w**d. I pushed away from permanent seating as the area could be used for multibale things like a portable outdoor hammock once the garden grows. In reality who wants permanent seats that can't be moved around away from the smoke and what not. I would more go for some nice outdoor timber seats that can be moved.
The water feature is the statement in this area in my opinion. The sound, the vibe it gives the area and you just feel instantly relaxed. Sure it could have been just a garden with a huge feature plant (which would cost the same price installed). I just can't stress enough how much a good water feature makes a garden. I have always admired natural looking water features, I always suggest it to clients. I have been a fan of the aquascapes pond kits for a long time now and finally had a chance to use one and I have to say they take the guess work out of things when you know what your doing. As said in previouse posts the maintenance is very minimal. It is actually easier to maintain a larger water feature than a smaller one.
The little merbau deck was another suggestion mainly to break up the garden and for an area to sit and enjoy looking at the water feature as you would just walk past otherwise to the fire area. Being the Eastern side of the house you get to enjoy the morning winter sun out of the cool western winds and just relax with the morning cuppa. Then in summer you can sit there with the coastal north easter blowing with a beer/wine or 2 with the shade of the house protecting you from the heat of the sun. With the windows from the house above there was no need for a pergola.
The garden edging is Coreten steel welded together and pegged in place so that the edging was still seen. I left the sandstone steppers and pebble 50mm below, for the price of the steel I didn't want to just see the top edge.If you would like the garden to just flow into the path there are cheaper options. I did also give the clients the option to just have a pebble path. The path does serve two purposes here which is free draining with heavy rain and access to the fire pit area.
The stepper are laid on a compacted base of blue sand, then topped again to height, w**d mat over the top and just placing the steppers in place this time not morted as done in the past. Yes there was some movement under foot though the weight of the steppers keeps them in place. Then if in time the pebble ever needed cleaning the whole path can be lifted cleaned and placed back down a lot easier.
Garden prep was done using the machines to remove existing roots then mushroom compost turned through and topped with garden mix soil.
With the planting the clients wanted privacy, bird attracting, formal (tidy) and perfumed flowers. Now I always say I'm not a horticulturist I'm a structal landscaper. When ever I suggest plants it goes on what I have witness over the years and what are easier to maintain. All gardens are different and there are heaps of styles out there.
Plants to the back of the fire pit area are Juniper Spartan to create privacy and to give the wrens a place to hide. In a 1.5 meter wide garden they will be able to grow to full potential of around 1 x 4 meters.
Along the eastern fence line is Murraya which will be eventually kept to 1.2 x 1.8m high, real hardy on the south coast with near no pest and disease from past experience.
Between the house wall and path, above the deck there is Gardenia Florida which will be kept to around 1 x 1m and the lower side of the deck has a Magnolia Little gem as a feature plant with the Gardenia theme continued. Both don't mind protection from the harsh afternoon summer sun.
Around the water feature I have gone with lower bird attracting plants like the Grevillea Lady 'O (the little honey eaters love it) and flowers all year round then the Banksia spinulosa coastal gold both around that 1 x 1m size, for the ground covers there is Irish moss opposite the deck for a low green mat that won't take away the view of the water feature. Casuarina cousin it has been planted to the upper side which will cover the spill way and as a trial ( not knowing if it will work or not), planted a couple in the crushed granite itself so that it will cascade down the retaining wall and meet up with lower ones.
Then at the very lower section of the water feature within the pebble I have placed Lomandra savannah blue to represent a dried out creek bed.
There is still a few things to happen at a later date. Looking forward to seeing this yard getting better and better with time.
Anyway that's about it cheers for reading if you have. At the end of the day I'm just a simple Aussie bloke trying to do the best I can for my clients.
