Landscape design: Perfect planting
Jessica Rule asked three of Perth’s top landscape designers which project was their all-time favourite, and for their tips for creating great gardens. Here, Tim Davies of Tim Davies Landscaping talks about a stunning City Beach garden that he created.
The owner of this City Beach property wanted to create a lush, mature garden in a large space that would provide instant impact, complement the scale of the house and soften its minimal, modern architecture.
Given the property’s proximity to the coast, designer Tim Davies recognised that the planting palette needed to create a landscape that would not only look great but be able to withstand the conditions.
Mature trees and plant species were sourced to instil the feel of an established garden overnight. “The mature olives at the front of the property tie the front elevation into its coastal setting, while the star jasmine and frangipani trees work to create an established garden that enhances the outdoor experience,” Mr Davies said.
The home, which was designed by Chindarsi Architects, features a central courtyard with a spectacular mature poinciana tree.
Ornaments include large custom graphite granite bowls and a solid granite planter, which tie in with the beautiful Spanish sandstone paving. Stone planters were sourced from Absolute Stone.
“The resulting landscape design is minimal and contemporary, combining high-quality finishes with mature, lush planting to create habitable spaces that work aesthetically,” Mr Davies said.
“It’s my favourite design because it’s a beautifully structured garden with some really interesting, eclectic areas in the composition,” Mr Davies said of the project.
Plants: A planting palette including Dracaena draco at the entry to the home, the transplant of a mature poinciana tree to the main courtyard area, succulents and a grove of gleditsia were sourced from the Arbor Centre and Ellenby Tree Farm.
Garden art: “A Tim Macfarlane Reid sculpture is in the rear courtyard and a spherical feature light in the back garden was custom-made by TDL using a lighting fitting from an old street light,” Mr Davies said.
Tim Davies’ top tip for creating lush gardens : “Thoughtful design and getting the proportions right are the absolute key to success,” Mr Davies said of creating lush gardens. “Achieve balance and proportion by understanding the growth habit of the planting palette and carefully crafting it into the space.”
