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A house and garden are often looked at as two separate entities when both elements should be considered as a whole. Barbara Landsberg of Landsberg Garden Design (@landsberggardens) says your yard provides the overall setting and ambience for a property. “If your garden is in the same style as your home, it will look and feel settled, balanced and at ease,” she says.
Homes of certain eras have definitive features. By taking cues from your house’s architecture, you can design a harmonious garden to complement its details. Here are four strong Australian architectural styles and the garden designs that can help them shine.
Australian coastal homes come in different shapes and styles, from the modest weatherboard shack of the 1960s to modern incarnations in timber and glass. What these properties have in common is a relaxed, no-fuss vibe. Landscape designer Johnny Derwent of Site Design Studios (sdstudios.com.au) describes it as a clean aesthetic that evokes the breeziness of the beach.
Look to outdoor plants that grow well near the coast when planning your garden – you want robust trees and shrubs that can cope with sandy soils and salty air. “Palms, frangipani and Australian natives are excellent candidates,” Barbara says.
Ornamental grasses, such as Carex ‘Feather Falls’, and succulents also work well, with their easy-care nature suited to harsher coastal conditions. “A planting scheme of blues and greys is complementary to the beachy palette,” Barbara adds.
The best hard materials for landscaping your coastal garden? Weathered natural timbers, pebbles and stone. “A recycled hardwood timber deck allowed to grey is a fabulous feature and low maintenance,” says Johnny.
Modernist homes are characterised by simple but strong lines and geometric forms, so it makes sense that the garden should follow suit. “Use straight or curved lines, but ensure they’re defined rather than organic and indeterminate,” says Barbara.
Exteriors of modern residences typically feature materials such as timber, concrete, stone or render, which can be echoed in the garden and surrounding outdoor space with pavers, block walls and slat-horizontal or vertical fencing. To reflect the architecture of this style of building, the plant palette should be minimal, with a strong focus on striking forms and textures.
Feature trees might include the dragon tree (Dracaena draco) or Bismarck palm (Bismarckia nobilis), typically planted singly to highlight the sculptural qualities. As for the understorey, agaves, zoysia, kalanchoe, mondo grass and blue chalksticks (Curio repens) are ideal. “You only need a few groupings of a few plant types,” Barbara explains.
Before planting, take your yard’s soil condition into account. “If soil is poorly drained, grow succulents in raised beds or pots,” advises Bunnings buyer Katy Schreuder.
To cope with the tropical heat, Queenslander homes are usually set off the ground and combine laidback features like wide verandahs with more traditional architectural elements. “These could include detailed roof lines, intricate latticework and balustrading,” says Johnny.
Extend the formality of these design elements into the garden with open lawns, hedges and medium-to-large feature trees, such as Queensland native tuckeroo. Barbara also suggests tropical plants to settle the home into the landscape. “Typical [planting options] are frangipani and palms,” she says. Hedges may include murraya, viburnum, lilly pilly or buxus.
For more structural, hardscaping elements of your garden design, light-coloured pavers and pebbles are an ideal match for a Queenslander’s relaxed but classic look. “You could create a central path to the front using either light brick or pebbles to formalise the entry to the dwelling,” says Johnny. “A water feature at the base of the steps creates a sense of arrival and is a great way to attract birds, too.”
Homes from the Victorian and later Federation eras, whether brick or timber, have period features brimming with character and charm. Notable architectural details include iron lacework and timber fretwork, and complex roof lines.
“These homes tend to have many decorative details and the architecture speaks to a more English heritage,” says Barbara. “The gardens that feel most natural with Federation style have some level of formality and tradition.” She recommends a planting scheme which reflects that style and background. “Jacarandas, camellias, clipped box hedging and flowering plants, such as roses, gardenias and lavender, would be ideal.”
If classic, lilac-coloured lavender doesn’t suit your scheme, consider other cultivars. “There are two new pink and white varieties (Bubbleberry and Vanillaberry) in the Lavender Ruffles collection,” says Katy.
When hardscaping, look at the building itself for cues on design materials – brick, sandstone, cast-iron and timber can be replicated in arbours, retaining walls and edging.
Check out our wide range of plants.
Photo Credit: Prue Roscoe and Getty Images
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
