Glen Iris Project – Garden Design

Typically our garden design process begins with a brief from our clients on what they want from their space, we present our solutions to meet these needs, then execute our agreed design in its entirety. In the case of our Glen Iris project it ran a little differently. Our design was constructed over four stages between 2013 and 2017 to coincide with our clients extensive home renovation.

The landscape design brief given to us by our clients, a garden loving family of four, was to update their tired, run down garden and give it a new lease on life. We were encouraged to take our design to the edge of contemporary without straying too far from the traditional.

Taking on this project, we faced many landscaping challenges. Arguably the most pressing, to disguise the unattractive neighbouring block of units visible from the rear garden and provide a new ‘positive’ focal point. Towards the latter part of the construction, we also faced privacy issues with a new property being built next door.

Disguising neighbouring dwellings was not our only hurdle, we needed ways to improve the overall flow of the garden.

In theory, the fundamentals of the garden were to remain, a lawn area, pool and pavilion but all were in need of a functional, modern face lift.

Given the size of the property it afforded the opportunity to design different zones. Although considered to be self-contained gardens with their own purpose and feel, it was vital that these zones shared a common thread to help tie them together and give the entire garden design cohesion.

We chose classic plants reminiscent of the era but ensured the layout had a modern edge. To link the hard landscape surfaces we laid Travertine paving in a traditional method but in a contemporary layout to give it a slick sharp finish.

On our first site visit, we were delighted to find a magnificent specimen Golden Elm tree at the rear of the property, a key feature we happily worked around.

At the rear, to draw the eye down and create interest, Buxus spheres were “randomly placed” in the lawn (a nod to one of our favourite designers Tom Stuart-Smith).

To combat the neighbouring eyesore, screening was erected to block the units. Deciduous Pears previously used to hide the units were transplanted to another part of the garden to bulk up the effectiveness of the screening. A double row of evergreen Ficus ‘Flash’ were then used to form a continuous solid pleached hedge in helping to block out the flats while also providing a dark background for the bright light green foliage of the Golden Elm to stand out and become even more of a feature.

The garden bed under the double row of pleached Ficus has been planted out with mixed perennials. Viewed from the pavilion, the long bed extends for the length of the lawn with a client selected sculpture placed at the end to draw your eye through the differing perennials.

To improve the flow of the space, we levelled out the lawn and removed many unnecessary steps making it easier to move around the garden.

We relocated and rebuilt the stairs off the residence to the backyard, adding a landing area to increase functionality and safety.

We sourced a beautiful large mature evergreen Magnolia from NSW which we installed down the side of the property to assist with the screening and privacy to the new dwelling next door.

On the North side of the property, we created a terrace above the garage. A functional area designed for casual dining, we used large Lilly Pillys to screen this space and added a sun shielding pergola to keep the house cool in summer.

As with all jobs but especially ones with heritage front facades, keeping healthy, original planting is of utmost importance. This existing front garden contained a number of established traditional plants. We chose to continue with the planting palette of Camellias, Azaleas, Hydrangea and Lilacs but executed the styling with a more modern approach. Japanese Maples, Iris and Ajuga were integrated to help connect the front and rear gardens.

After four years in the making, we’re thrilled with how this design has come to fruition and even happier knowing that we’ve created a space that our clients enjoy and are proud to call their own.

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/glen-iris-project-garden-design/

‘Dreamscapes’ by Claire Takacs

‘Dreamscapes – Inspiration and beauty in gardens near and far’ is a stunning collection of over fifty of the world’s most beautiful gardens from across the globe. Photographed by one of our absolute favourites, internationally renowned and awarded photographer Claire Takacs.

Primarily Melbourne based, Claire is a highly recognised garden photographer who has visited and photographed some of the best and most innovative gardens around the world. She spends half of every year travelling internationally and her photographs are regularly included in the top international gardening magazines. Claire’s work is also represented in many international gardening books.

‘Dreamscapes’ includes many gardens designed by famous designers such as Piet Oudolf and Spanish designer Fernando Martos among others, with photographed locations including New Zealand, UK, USA, Europe and Asia.

Iconic gardens included are the stunning Welsh garden Dyffryn Fernant, Martha Stewart’s private garden, the beautiful Edwardian idyll of Bryan’s Ground in Herefordshire, the former home of Vita Sackville-West, Long Barn in Kent, the naturalistic French garden of Le Jardin Plume in Normandy, Hermannshof in Germany at the forefront of planting design, and Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s most beautiful public gardens.

This stunning book will astound and delight you with the diversity and creativity of the gardens featured, all captured at that rare moment when they are at their most breathtaking.

In theory it would make the ideal mother’s day gift, but realistically it’s too hard to give away. Maybe mum could just flick through when she visits?

For more on this spectacular book, click here

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/dreamscapes-by-claire-takacs/

Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’

Awarded ‘Best New Product’ at the 2011 Australian Business Awards, Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’ is a must have plant. Backed by thirty years of research and development ‘Eternal Fragrance’ is the creation of renowned plant breeder, Robin White.

Overcoming the traditional hurdles associated with growing Daphne’s, this variety stands above all others with its ability to perform in full sun as well as part shade. With exquisite sweetly fragrant flowers on deep green foliage, ‘Eternal Fragrance’ offers repeat flowing throughout the year. First flush is in late winter, then in early summer and again in autumn.

A truly outstanding garden and pot performer, ‘Eternal Fragrance’ is stunning as a low, perfumed informal hedge or border, or under-planted beneath open tree canopies. It’s also ideal for small gardens, patios and courtyards.

Growing to 60cm in height by 90cm wide, ‘Eternal Fragrance’ requires a well-drained position in the garden and once established requires only occasional deep watering during periods of extended heat.

This plant was a perfect choice for our Glen Iris project – low maintenance, hardy, with beauty and fragrance. It definitely gets a big tick from us.

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/daphne-eternal-fragrance/

James van Sweden – International Garden Designer

James van Sweden was an innovative landscape architect who in the 1970s successfully reinvented the look and character of the American garden. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 78.

Partnering with Wolfgang Oehme in 1975, he was well regarded internationally for his radically different approach to landscape design — replacing staid evergreen hedging, bedding annuals and groomed lawns with broad sweeps of long-flowering perennials and ornamental grasses.

The vision was a rejection of passive vegetative landscape architecture in favour of the bold massing of grasses and perennials that placed the observer in the midst of a living tapestry. The result was a garden that actively responded to light, wind and seasonal change.  The author of 5 books on the discipline, in “Gardening With Nature” (1997), James stated “they move in the breeze and sparkle like stained glass”.

The look became known as the “New American Garden” and seized the imagination of clients. The duo’s work ranged from private homes, including Oprah Winfrey’s garden, to major public spaces such as the Nelson A. Rockefeller Park overlooking the Hudson River in lower Manhattan.

Van Sweden advocated his style in even small urban spaces as a way of capturing the natural exuberance of the prairie and meadow. He also espoused the idea that gardens should be planted for year-round interest. James’ objective is “to lead the eye deeper into a scene which is not completely revealed, even in so tiny a space.”

An avid art collector, various artists influenced James’ work: abstract expressionists taught him to mass colours, while painters such as Edward Hopper and David Hockney showed the value of creating hard edges and delineation.

James’ work has clearly left a huge mark on the landscaping industry worldwide and we’re truly thankful for his contribution in shaping the way we consider design.

For more on this incredible designer, click here

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/james-van-sweden-international-garden-designer/

Hawthorn Project – Garden Design

After 12 months perfecting the garden design, we’re excited to kick off construction at our Hawthorn project next month.

The brief given by our clients, a lovely family of four, was to modernise their front, rear and side garden areas.  Whilst our approach was to give these areas a contemporary make-over it was important to remain true to the fundamental heritage features of the Victorian era property.

A large lawn, driveway and traditional path to the veranda were all high on the priority list for the front garden, whilst a studio and pool with room for the kids to play was our focus for the rear.

For the side area, we designed a paved courtyard that will be edged by a low hedge and feature traditional clipped Buxus spheres.  Bluestone will be used throughout the garden with a contemporary layout and finish, contrasting with the more traditional textural qualities of Filetti ‘Endicott’ paving as a nod to yesteryear. The continuation of the Filetti inlay between the pavers draws the eye down the side of the property. Not only will this enhance the overall design, this feature will help link all areas of the garden and help transition from traditional to contemporary.

Our planting plan for this project has a strong perennial bias. We’re using a very similar plant palette to the original garden, structured in a more contemporary manner. Mixed plantings such as Escallonia ‘Pink Pixie, Ajuga ‘Jungle Beauty’, Salvia ‘Tanzerin’, Rosa ‘Golden Celebration’, Rodgersia ‘Hercules’ and Dierama ‘Portwine’ will feature in the front and side gardens with deciduous trees such as Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’, the Trident Maple Acer buergerianum, Crab Apples Malus ioensis ‘Plena’ and Malus transitoria ‘Royal Raindrops’ and the beautiful Dogwood Cornus x ‘Stellar Pink’, bordering the Bluestone steppers. Perennials will be anchored by a screening hedge. Smaller deciduous trees with varying colours and foliage shapes are also planned. Our aim is to keep the front entrance simple yet impactful.  We’re reusing the original rose obelisks placed within the large front perennial boarder.

We’re really excited about this project and look forward to sharing developments as we progress.

 

 

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/hawthorn-project-garden-design/

Cassian Schmidt – International Garden Designer

With a landscape architecture degree, a Master’s in horticulture, and more than 25 years experience as a professional plantsman, Cassian Schmidt is considered the perennial master at the forefront of the New German and Dutch Wave movement.

An exceptional landscape designer, author, professor and lecturer, Cassian is revered for his seamless combinations of perennials and grasses.

Director of Hermannshof, the world-renowned research garden, Cassian’s role includes developing low maintenance and sustainable plant combinations using natural plant communities.

“In my design of naturalistic landscapes, I use broad, painterly drifts of hardworking plants, so well suited to their sites that they provide year-round interest but require less maintenance than traditional mixed boarders,” says Cassian. “The dynamic mix of unique perennials and naturalistic grasses are always arranged by habitat and origin – woods, prairie, steppe, pond edge, dry meadow – which creates a kaleidoscope that is inspired by nature, without replicating it.”

We’re in awe of this landscape designer and are constantly intrigued by his research developments.

For more on Cassian and his outstanding landscape designs, click here

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/cassian-schmidt-international-garden-designer/

Beach Towel by Sarah Lavoine

Soft furnishings are an inexpensive and efficient way of adding warmth and life to any outdoor space.

For those lucky enough to own a pool, we found the perfect beach towel to compliment.

Generous in size and contemporary in its design, the ‘Goa’ beach towel by French interior designer, Sarah Lavoine is chic and timeless.

Offered in a range of sophisticated colours, this luxurious pure cotton towel will bring an elegant and understated designer touch to any pool area.

For more on Sarah’s chic range, click here

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/beach-towel-by-sarah-lavoine/

Camberwell Project – Garden Design

April 2014 to April 2015 saw us transform a tired, run down garden in the leafy Melbourne suburb of Camberwell into something worthy of the heritage home it surrounds.

The brief instructed by our clients, was to modernise their front garden without losing the traditional feel true to the property’s era.  This young family requested a driveway with ample car space, a dedicated access point and path to their front door as well as privacy from passersby.

Working with the existing iron work found on the homes exterior, we chose to accentuate this feature by replicating in areas of our garden design. We used iron for both the pedestrian and driveway gates and again at the end of the veranda. To soften the hardscape features of the home, Ilex ‘Blue Prince’ was used to form a living balustrade. Combined with wrought iron in parts, this decision proved not only cost effective but also contributes to the success of the garden by linking the landscape with the home.

The existing slope of the front landscape was a design challenge we faced head on. To combat this issue and increase usability, we introduced contemporary style steps and terracing. Ensuring clean lines and no overhang in the steps gives it the modern feel we were after.  These design elements proved successful in flattening out large pockets of the front lawn, hence adding useable space to the area.

At the top of the terracing, we introduced steppers in the lawn which draw your eye to a large decorative urn, under planted with vibrant Heliotropium arborescens ‘Lord Roberts’. Not only does this urn add a traditional element, it also anchors the design by giving the garden a focal point at the end of the view line.  Backed by pleached hornbeams (Carpinus betulus), this view line, already having a real presence, will be an incredible feature when fully grown.

Beautifully constructed by Greener Visions, a brick retaining wall was created to border the car space. This choice helps blend the existing features of the house with its surrounds; the house, retaining wall and front fence all cohesive.

To compliment the colours of the front porch, the veranda surface especially, we chose light coloured concrete paving along the front path as a way of blending the new with the old.

The existing planting was non-descript and disjointed. To rectify and give the planting purpose, we chose a mix of buxus spheres and perennials along the front path, to highlight the formal access point and project the contemporary/formal balance we were chasing. A prunus hedge now runs along the front fence and will provide great screening when it matures.

There’s always a fine line when balancing the old with new and we’re thrilled with how this garden design is able to do just that. We wish our clients many years of garden enjoyment.

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/camberwell-project-garden-design-2/

Diarmuid Gavin – International Garden Designer

Diarmuid Gavin is an Irish garden designer that likes to push gardens to the limit. Known for his ability and willingness to think outside the box, his 2011 entry at the Chelsea garden show certainly caught Ian’s eyes, not to mention the rest of the gardening worlds.

“Chelsea is where gardening meets show business,” he says. “Visitors come from all around the world. They don’t just want to see something pretty. It’s about trying to create something that can delight you or make you think.

“You must make an impact. For me, it’s of interest only if it is dramatically new. It’s a tough gig and I have to be really inspired. There’s no point in me doing it unless it is radically different. I will only do Chelsea if I’m prepared to take on a task that keeps me awake at night.”

His gold medal winning ‘Irish Sky Garden’ saw him create a 15 metre “flying” centrepiece inspired by the film Avatar. One of the most audacious projects attempted in the show’s history.

Shaped like a giant eye, the ‘Irish Sky Garden’ was suspended 25 metres above the Royal Hospital gardens from an enormous crane, giving up to eight visitors at a time spectacular views across London. At ground level, viewers were able to look up at the flying garden and also see it reflected in 25 perfectly round pools, set amid unusual shrubs, plants and trees from all over the world.

Diarmuid’s thrilling and unusual gardens that have won him television appearances, medals and a huge fan base – we’re sure you’ll be just as intrigued as we are.

For more on Diarmuid and his out of the box designs, click here

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/diarmuid-gavin-international-garden-designer/

Heliotropium arborescens ‘Lord Roberts’

Highly regarded for its beauty and fragrance, Heliotropium arborescens ‘Lord Roberts’ is a standout at our Camberwell project.

Heliotropium arborescens is an evergreen shrub that is perfect for trailing over walls and along the ground. With purple tinted leaves that showcase deep violet-blue flowers throughout the warmer months, this lovely cottage plant has a pleasing vanilla fragrance that is especially noticeable at night.

As attractive to butterflies as it is humans, all parts of the plant are toxic.

Heliotropium arborescens grow up to 1 metre high and up to 1 metre wide in good conditions. It prefers full sun to part shade with fertile, well-drained soil. Regular water is a necessity however damp ground or heavy clay is not tolerated well. Overwatering may result in black coloured leaves. ‘Lord Roberts’ is a fast grower that is able to tolerate being cut back by half in order to maintain a compact shape and prevent it from becoming too straggly. New flowers will also be encouraged by occasional trimming.

Chosen as an ideal ground cover at our Camberwell project, Heliotropium arborescens work beautifully as under planting support to the feature urn. This plant is an old favourite of ours which could easily become a new favourite of yours.

 

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/heliotropium-arborescens-lord-roberts/

Asplenium bulbiferum

Asplenium bulbiferum or Hen and Chicken fern, is an evergreen fern species native to New Zealand. It grows in a diverse range of habitats, along streams, in rainforests, along coast lines, in lowlands and in alpine regions. Invariably associated with flowing water, in nature, it is often found close to permanent creeks and almost always with waterfalls. Despite this, it also does well in the typical conditions of shaded settings in Australian gardens.

With delicate lime green feathery fronds, new fronds open from the centre of the rosette, unrolling as they age.

Asplenium bulbiferum grow small bulbils on top of their fronds. Once matured to about 5cm, these offspring fall off and, provided the soil they land in is moist, develop a root system and grow into new ferns. This additional means of reproduction can be employed with greater ease than propagation by spores.

We chose to use this plant down the side of our Canterbury project as it is a hardy plant that thrives in shaded average to moist soil.

If you’re looking for an attractive plant to add greenery and help brighten darker pockets of the garden, the Asplenium bulbiferum is one we would certainly recommend.

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/asplenium-bulbiferum/

Matt Blatt Circle Chair

If your New Year’s resolution is to step out of your comfort zone and try new things, then this contemporary piece will go some way to helping you achieve just that!

And if you’re anything like us, it will take you a moment to fully appreciate this piece, but you’ll soon be hooked.

Strikingly different, Matt Blatt is offering a contemporary twist on an old favourite, the circle chair.

Considered a work of art, the Replica Circle Chair was designed by modernist marvel Hans Wegner. It is a blend of relaxed hammock style and lazy chair, crying out to be sprawled upon on lazy summer afternoons or snuggled into come winter time.

This piece is guaranteed to transform any outdoor entertaining area from bland to bold, or to create a focal point to anchor any garden space.

Worth considering if you want to stay ahead of the Jones’.

For more, click here

 

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from Ian Barker Gardens https://www.landscape.net.au/matt-blatt-circle-chair/