Garden design ideas: Mediterranean meets bush

Landscape and homes photographer Tess Argirellis and her husband Sean live with their three children just outside Queanbeyan, south-east of Canberra. The couple bought their acreage a decade ago, but their dream garden took a back seat while their family home took shape on the semi-rural site. They moved in when Siena (now nine) was a bub, soon followed by Mila (seven), Charlie (three) plus the family’s cavoodle, Coco. “The garden has been a labour of love that we’re still working on, and it’s a beautiful way to all spend time together,” says Tess.

We spoke to Tess and got her garden design ideas and tips, including:

• Creating family-friendly focal points such as a pool, barbecue area and a fire pit.
• Tips for creating a Mediterranean meets bush vibe using colour and hardy plants.
• Landscaping tips including what you can D.I.Y. and when to engage a landscaper.
• How to share your garden with the local wildlife and tips for keeping your plants intact.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

How to design a garden from scratch

With a lifelong love of gardening, Tess knew she had an eye for detail and a budding green thumb. But when she and Sean broke ground on their dusty two-hectare block 10 years ago, they quickly realised that weather, wildlife and careful budgeting would set the tone for the family’s outdoor sanctuary.

Today, their lovingly curated gardens boast established olive trees, lavender and roses plus natives including happy wanderer, cushion bush and coastal rosemary. But the verdant retreat wasn’t always so photogenic.

“When we first moved here, it was rocky, dusty and dry – and we were in the middle of a long drought,” says Tess. “It was probably the worst time ever to be starting a garden. The soil was terrible, and there was one lonely wattle tree. We had a very blank canvas.”

How to pick focal points for your garden

As the property abuts other neighbours on acreage, the home’s orientation was planned to give the illusion of isolated country calm. “The design of our house makes sure the outside is visible from every aspect.We wanted to be able to enjoy the views and feel connected to nature. We can’t really see any other houses,” says Tess. Here’s what inspired her garden design ideas:

• Pick family friendly focal points. The family tends to gravitate towards the back garden, the pool and barbecue area where the rolling hills paint a peaceful backdrop. In winter, the fire pit in the alfresco entertainment space becomes the anchor.
• A Mediterranean meets bush theme. Individual plant selection was a deliberate choice that honours the home’s bush setting, as well as speaking to Sean’s Greek heritage. “It’s got a Mediterranean influence, especially with the colour tones. The olives and sages blend really well with the bush colours around us and help settle the house into the landscape,” says Tess.
• Working with the natural location. Canberra’s unique environment played a pivotal role in plant choice, with every variety handpicked to be future proof. “It’s a really harsh climate. We get hot, dry summers and then frosts in winter. Canberra also gets such a late start to the warm weather, so you have to be patient when planting,” adds Tess. “We do have a water tank, but if we’re not getting much rain – like in our first couple of years – the tank never really fills up. Now, thankfully, most of our trees are more established, so hopefully they’ll survive any long dry spells in the future.”

The herringbone paved path

Where the garden gets the most foot traffic, the couple laid charming herringbone paved paths. “They feel like cobblestone pathways that have been there for years. Then we planted cottage-style plants that spill over the harder edges of the herringbone to soften it all,” says Tess. Lamb’s ear, catmint, Mexican sage, lavender ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Iceberg’ standard roses bring colour and scent throughout the seasons.

How to landscape on a budget

Tess finds her work photographing homes and gardens very inspiring, “because you’re often working in the best spaces in your region,” she says. However, replicating those garden goals on a budget has been an ongoing challenge. This is what she did:

• Save money by growing your own plants. “We’d spent everything on the house, so we had no money for the garden at first. We could only afford the smallest plants at Bunnings, which just meant being patient while they grew.”
• Do what you can yourself. Initially, Tess says the couple had a very hands-on approach to their landscaping. “We did everything ourselves in the first five or six years. We spent a lot of time and energy just bringing in good-quality soil,” she says. “In 2020 we engaged a landscaper to help with the herringbone paths, but the bulk of the planting we’ve done as a family. Charlie has his own little Bunnings wheelbarrow that he loves pushing around, helping us shovel dirt!”

How to share your garden with the local wildlife

While their slice of paradise is now their private oasis, the family have ultimately learnt that building on the border of the bush means sharing the fruits of their labour. “My gosh, the wildlife!” exclaims Tess. “We loved the idea of kangaroos when we first moved here. They are beautiful when you see them lazing on the front lawn, but it’s a bit of a different story when they’ve eaten all the new leaves off my jasmine!

“Then there are the wombats who like to dig plenty of holes,” she adds. “But the best thing is the echidnas, especially the cute little babies we see foraging around every now and then.”

Tess says these days the family is co-existing happily alongside the locals. “Now, whenever I put in new little plants, I just cut up some wire fencing to surround them for a few months and let them get established.”

The outdoor room

An appealing lounge setting offers gorgeous views of the region’s hills. “In the mornings when the weather is warmer, first thing when everyone’s still waking up, I go out to our comfy outdoor lounge,” says Tess. “I just sit in the sun for a couple of minutes of peace with my chai tea.” [H2] Keep in mind…

• All pools and pool fencing must conform to your local authority’s safety regulations and guidelines. Always supervise children in or around water.
• Take care when selecting your plants, as some can be poisonous to children and pets. Some plants are classified as weeds in certain states and territories, so always check their suitability for your region.

Keen to see more garden design inspiration?

Find out how garden influencer Ash Burke created his food garden from scratch.

Photo credit: Tess Argirellis.