Gardens in the limelight

Overall Winner ~ Jason Mathers, Mt Annan NSW 

Jason’s ‘Australian’ approach to a typical English style garden stole the show in Native Plant Project’s Garden Competition. He always fancied the idea of a cottage garden, but his location in Western Sydney with a tricky climate of humid springs, dry summers and frosty winters meant thinking outside the typical cottage garden box.

“I started creating the garden in the middle of a drought while we were on water restrictions, so natives were the natural choice to plant but still using a traditional cottage garden layout as the basis,” Jason says.

He found grouping less frost tolerant species in amongst tolerant plants helped to provide protection – and also used this method for plants susceptible to sun damage in his western facing garden.

The resulting nearly all native garden is low maintenance other than seasonal pruning and weeding, with an operational worm farm used to create natural fertiliser to not only reduce their own carbon footprint but also the environmental impact of fertiliser running into nearby creeks.

“The design really comes into its own in spring when so much is flowering and thriving.”

Country Garden Winner ~ Alana Bulgarelli, Toowoomba QLD

A five-year labour of love for this native plant enthusiast and wildlife carer, Alana and her husband have created a garden for wildlife inspired by Mother Nature.

Following a loose design plan based around a deco granite path winding its way through a garden of native plants and a plunge pool inspired by a natural waterhole, Alana’s two biggest challenges were the black soil and her greatest love – wildlife!

“This is a garden for wildlife, yes. They are my greatest joy but can also be my biggest angst when plants are young and have appealing new juicy growth!”

Alana protects young plants with cages until they’re a decent size to handle some nibbling. She also installed nest boxes as well as logs, rocks and multiple bird baths and water stations. And her tips for growing new native varieties in her garden: “I add a native plant specialist soil mix to the existing soil and for extra special plants like those from Western Australia that require extra drainage, I plant them in rusting iron rings at varying heights,” Alana explains.

“I’ve come to realise the garden will never be finished or perfect. My next project is a pond and then an Arbor to the veggie patch….see? It’s never ending but so is nature and we like it that way.”

Coastal Garden Winner ~ Russell Kronenburg, Blairgowrie VICTORIA

Inspired by the natural beauty of Blairgowrie’s rugged back beach and the rock pools on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, this 100% coastal native garden’s mission was to replicate the serene experience of walking down a sandy track to the beach.

The design balances form and function around a deck area, with its centrepiece a circular spa and plunge pool (tiled with 98% recycled glass tiles) created to mirror the local rock pools.

A winding path navigates through native trees and plants to various outdoor rooms which include a large lawn for family activities and a small lawn leading to a vegetable garden.

“We retained existing natives and introduced diverse textures, colours and contracts with other native plants suited to harsh coastal conditions,” says Russell.

Sustainability was critical to the design. The garden relies on 100% bore or rainwater and has three aged totem pole wharf posts as niche homes for native bees, spiders and insects.

In just a few months, the garden has flourished into a thriving habitat for Bluetongue skinks, Jacky Lizards, echidnas, bandicoots, kookaburras and many other birds that feed, dance and play in this mostly protected environment.

“It really bridges the beauty of the local beach with sustainable, functional design providing a haven for both people and wildlife.”

Small Garden Winner ~ Joshua Marks, Fairy Meadow NSW 

 When Josh and his partner moved into a unit block with a dried-out lawn and not one shrub in site, they requested permission from strata to create a native garden everyone could enjoy.

“Living with an ecologist has inevitably led to a love of natives so we knew we were going to create something using 100% natives,” says Josh.

They broke up the regimented rectangular shape of the block using curved borders and softening the space with sandstone rocks and felled logs to also provide additional habitat and sun baking spots for little critters.

While losing some initial plantings to heavy clay sections, the majority of plants have flourished and they continue to add to the garden.

“On reflection, I can see the garden has become a coping mechanism. It’s been a hectic year of juggling full-time work and uni. The garden has provided respite from stressful times and watching bees buzz round, magpies pick for worms and lizards bask in the sun has added the perfect amount of perspective when I need it.”

Suburban Garden Winner ~ Lisa Chapman, Newton SA

Lisa knew from the start that the home she bought in the suburbs of Adelaide, complete with sparse front lawn and concrete driveway, was going to be transformed into a native plant oasis and pored over gardening books to bring her vision to life.

A variety of natives that would bloom at different times of the year with the warm colours of reds, oranges and yellows were chosen to complement the brickwork of their home. Plants with different textures and varying heights added interest – including creating standard grevilleas and callistemon – and after losing a few plants to heavy clay soil, elevating certain plants and adding raised areas overcame some of the drainage issues.

Creating a natural oasis for birds and insects was also a goal and thanks to the low maintenance nature of the garden, the environmental, aesthetic and practical benefits of their Australian native garden have exceeded Lisa’s expectations.

“I’m a graphic designer and artist specialising in Australian native illustrations and I can’t help but feel inspired here. Looking out the windows each day brings me such joy and happiness.”

NPP.