Common garden design problems and fixes

If only garden design was as simple as just picking pretty plants… The average Australian backyard throws up a range of dilemmas, from the simple ‘what do I plant in a shady patch?’ to the complicated ‘can I stop my sloping garden sliding down the hill?’. We asked the experts how they would tackle some of the more common Australian garden problems.

Six garden design problems and how to fix them

1. What plants are best poolside in Australian climates? Check pool compliance laws, plant hardy species, ensure adequate irrigation and maintenance for leaf droppage in the pool.

2. Which plants help cool warm areas of a yard? A key solution is deciduous trees because they love summer sun, will offer shade and let the light through in winter.

3. Best plants for path borders in a yard: Consider garden edging on mulch or gravel paths, plus layer/raise garden beds around paths so you don’t feel like plants are overcrowding the space.

4. What do I plant in a shady patch? According to expert horticulturist Angie Thomas of Yates: camellias (Camellia japonica), clivias, hostas, bugleweed (Ajuga sp), renga lily (Arthropodium cirratum), ferns and tractor seat plant flourish in shady spaces.

5. How do I revive a patchy lawn? Start by aerating and improving the soil or removing old grass and laying fresh turf.

6. How can I make a sloping site more attractive? Splitting the slope into a series of terraces by using different wall materials, statement stairs, straight or curved garden edging and layered/raised garden beds can help with maintenance, mowing and topsoil wash away, plus make the area more inviting.

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.

1. What are the best poolside plants in Australia?

Quick answer: Prioritise pool compliance laws, then select hardy, upright species tolerant of reflected heat and chlorine, ensuring adequate irrigation and planning for leaf drop.

1. Pool compliance laws: Before planting anything know your pool compliance laws – the specifics of these will vary by region, but anything climbable too near the fence is out.

2. Plant hardy species: Beyond legal restrictions, there are practicalities to consider, says landscape designer Henry Chapple-Cox of Secret Gardens. “Often a pool is quite exposed – you’ll have reflected light and chlorine splashes – so you’ll need to plant quite hardy species, and put in an adequate watering system,” he says.

3. Upright and unclimbable plants work well poolside: Think palms and ginger, as well as hardy grasses to soften a metal fence.

4. Poolside plant maintenance: “People don’t want trees that drop leaves, but there’s a deciduous versus evergreen misconception,” Henry explains. “We actually like deciduous trees; evergreen trees drop leaves in the pool year round, whereas a deciduous tree will drop them all in a period of weeks, so it’s a more targeted maintenance approach.”

2. How can I create shade in my backyard with plants?

Quick answer: Use deciduous trees for seasonal shade, add shade cloths or umbrellas over hot hard surfaces, and water heat‑tolerant plants before/after extreme heat.

• Deciduous trees: “A deciduous tree is a key solution, because it will love the sun, give you shade in summer and let the light through in winter,” says Henry.
• Heat-tolerant plants: Succulents are a good choice for exposed places that are blasted by the sun, but Henry warns that on those 40-degree days, even the really tough plants will cop a hammering. “Keep an eye on the BoM [Bureau of Meteorology] website and give those plants a bit of a water in the morning of, or in the evening after,” he suggests.
• Watch-out for decks and paved areas: These hard surfaces are also magnets for heat. To bring down the mercury, introduce shade in any way that you can – shade cloths and umbrellas are easy and affordable ways to block the sun. Even a large pot with a small tree in it can help a little, suggests Henry. “It just adds a bit of softness and will absorb some of the heat off the tile or deck,” he says.

Tip: Check out this guide for more backyard shade ideas.

3. How to use paths in a backyard garden design

Quick answer: Keep edges crisp with garden edging, and layer plant heights so paths feel open. Consider a secondary, sensory path with grasses and lavender.

• Layer garden beds around paths: “Start with low plants in the first 300-400mm, then taller plants further back, so you don’t feel like the plantings are closing in on you,” advises Henry.
• Consider sensory footpaths: “There could be a hierarchy of paths – in addition to a practical path you use every day, there might be a secondary path that’s more intimate and immersed in the garden,” he explains. “Here, you might actually want the sensory experience of grasses brushing against your legs or being able to reach down and touch the lavender.”

4. How do I revive tired grass?

Quick answer: Aerate compacted soil, topdress and fertilise, then seed or lay new turf over a fine underlay. Convert persistently shady, damp corners to beds or paving.

A revived tired lawn case study

The backyard lawn at Ravit’s newly purchased property is looking less than lovely. It is patchy, quite compacted and algae and moss grow in a corner where it gets little sunlight. Ravit isn’t sure whether to get rid of the lawn, or try growing it again from scratch. Our experts shed some light:

• For a worn-out lawn: Start by aerating and improving the soil. A lawn corer, available through our Hire Shop, can help. This machine removes cores of earth to open up the soil and allow better drainage and aeration.
• Adding fertiliser or topdressing will help to put back nutrients, and the area can then either be seeded or new turf laid.
• Laying turf underlay: NSW-based horticulturist Denise Limbrick suggests putting down a turf underlay, which is a very fine soil, and then putting in a new lawn. “Varieties like Sapphire, Palmetto and Sir Walter will tolerate the shade a lot more than other grasses,” she says.
• Turning shady, damp corners into garden beds: Bunnings Workshop online community specialist Jacob Zubrinich suggests turning these areas into garden beds filled with low-maintenance native plants, or transforming them into paved seating areas. “Use flexible garden edging to define garden beds and introduce soft curves and shapes into the layout,” Jacob says.
• What groundcovers are best for shady/damp corners of the garden? Jacob’s suggestions for groundcovers include native violet and creeping boobialla; for mid-height interest, the subtly coloured native fuchsia or silver spurflower. “To round out the garden with height, ferns like ‘Silver Lady’ or small trees such as lemon myrtle can help frame the space and complete the layered effect,” he says.
• How do I create a paved seating space in my backyard? Dig out the desired shape, then add road base and compact it with a tamper*. “Lay down 400mm x 400mm pavers to create a flat surface for a garden bench or outdoor setting,” says Jacob. “Complete the look with large outdoor pots of statement plants. Paired with a renewed lawn, either of these options can help turn your backyard into a more beautiful and functional space.”

5. What can I plant in a shady patch?

Quick answer: Camellias, clivias, hostas, bugleweed (Ajuga sp), renga lily, ferns, oyster plants and tractor seat plant thrive in shade – match moisture to the site and use pots under thirsty trees.

Shade doesn’t necessarily equal wet, and soil under trees can often be quite dry, explains Horticulturist Angie Thomas of Yates.

• Check moisture requirements: “Check the moisture requirements of your chosen plant, as some need consistent moisture whereas others will tolerate drier conditions,” she says.
• Use pots were required: “An option under trees is to grow shade-loving plants in medium to large pots, so they’re not competing with thirsty tree roots.”

A shady zone can also be an opportunity. In a hot garden, it might be the perfect place for a garden bench; water features in shade won’t evaporate as quickly; or a sculpture could be an alternative focal point in a hard-to-grow spot.

6. What can I do with a slopping backyard?

Quick answer: Terrace the slope, improve drainage and soil, then stabilise with groundcovers. Use straight or curved walls, statement stairs and layered beds to add amenity to your garden design.

“Sloping sites can be challenging as topsoil can wash away, leaving poorer soil underneath exposed, and maintenance or mowing can be difficult,” says Angie, adding you could do the following:

• Splitting a slope into a series of terraces: This can solve the problem and also gives you a great opportunity to get creative, with straight lines or gentle curves, different wall materials, statement stairs, and a layered mix of garden beds, lawn and living spaces.
• Be aware of drainage: Water can pool at the bottom of the slope and cause issues without proper drainage solutions. Enrich poor soil with organic matter and, to help prevent it from being washed away, consider holding it in place with mesh or chicken wire.
• Choose the right plants: Angie suggests growing vigorous plants, including groundcovers, to help stabilise a sloped area.

Keep in mind...

• All pools and pool fencing must conform to your local authority’s safety regulations and guidelines.
• Check suitability of plants for your region, as some may be classified as weeds in certain states and territories.

Have junior green thumbs at home?

Check out these kid-friendly gardening ideas.

Photo credit: Natalie Hunfalvay, Reuben Looi, Adobe Stock, Gap Photos/Nicola Stocken, Gap Photos/Yann Avril.