Sarah and her husband Paul have achieved their garden transformation in just twelve months. The previously completed hard landscaping included the removal of many existing exotic plants and the addition of a large amount of landscaping mix to improve the sandy soil. Other challenges included the strong south easterly prevailing winds and the hot and sunny conditions, as there were no existing shade trees. These restrictions guided the careful plant selection using mainly local native plants.
The front section of garden around the pool was quite exposed to sun and wind. Sarah and Paul have planted a row of Blueberry Ash along the front fence and another of Fraser Island Apple along the side fence to eventually provide some shade. In front of this are a variety of plants of different heights from shrubs like Dwarf Banksia (oblongifolia), grasses such as Lomandra confertifolia to groundcovers including Fan Flower species and Yellow Buttons. One of the problems
encountered with sandy soils is that they can become water repellent. The use of a wetting agent has helped, along with careful use of mulch to suppress weeds but not hinder rain penetration. This garden has already become home to many insects, lizards and birds along with a visiting carpet python and possum.
Sarah demonstrated the benefits of pruning natives by severely cutting back an older, matted Yellow Buttons plant. The ones she had pruned a few weeks earlier were already showing strong, healthy regrowth. As with any gardening experience, Sarah had some failures. The Fraser Island Creeper, which did not do well in a hot
sunny position, was replaced with a Pandorea jasminoides. She also pointed out the benefit to wildlife of planting species that grow well and flower at different times of the year. The application of a low phosphorous, slow release fertiliser has been beneficial for the native plants which are adapted to low nutrient levels.
Along a more shaded and sheltered side of the garden there were more planting options. An informal hedge of Grevillea ‘Dorothy Gordon’ looked stunning against a charcoal coloured fence and highlighted the benefit of including a favourite cultivar into the garden. Pruning of this fast growing species was important to keep it looking good and prevent it from getting too open. The rest of the planting in front of the Grevilleas was again layered with shrubs such as Zierra smithii,
Koala Bells and Boronia keysii, Dianella and Lomandra grasses, Scaevola and Eremophila groundcovers and an Apple Berry Vine.
Three beautiful Grass Trees (johnsonii) were grouped next to the patio. Sarah’s planting tip here was to water the Grass Trees with a solution of half a cup of brown sugar in 5 litres of water once a month. The solution helps to stimulate and maintain the micro-organisms in the soil around the plant until it is established.
Our garden visit showed how even in tough conditions a native garden can be established for the enjoyment of both human and animal visitors. Plant repetition brought harmony to all the areas of the garden and the variety of height, texture and colour added visual interest as well as creating a range of sustainable habitats for wildlife.
UWG would like to thank Sarah and Paul for hosting the open garden. What a treat it was to visit this inspiring garden and listen to Sarah describe their garden journey.
Click here for the full list of plants and their botanical names.
