Garden inspirations
Take advantage of natives to create a relaxed natural environment…
Like all landscape designers, I am passionate about gardens. Trees, plants, and the wildlife they bring all give me great joy as well as a sense of calm and all being right with the world.
I get up in the morning and have my tea on the verandah whilst watching the local bird population fly past greeting each other, often in loud squawks. At night, we have been driven to shut doors and windows in an attempt to hear the TV over the loud croaking of the frogs making use of the water-filled pots left in the garden.
Growing up in rural NSW gave me an appreciation for wide open spaces and a landscape dominated by natives. Eucalypts, Iron Barks, Flame Trees, Silky Oaks, Grevilleas, and other natives provided protection from the heat and dust storms and screening around the house as well as a food source and shelter for the local birds and fauna. More than that though, they provide the structure and shape for my family’s garden. They are the bones and the rest of the garden fills the space in with the colour and life of the shrubs and ground covers that attract the bees, birds and other pollinators.
Queensland natives add a different element.
The rainforest species of the tropics and subtropics provide lush foliage, the different shades of green combining to form a verdant paradise in our backyards, not to mention much-needed shade during our hot summers. Natives can help connect us back to the outdoors and give us a sense of place. Planting a plant that is native to your own area will help ensure it is suited to local conditions and therefore be more likely to survive. It also helps support our native birds and other wildlife that are residing in your area!
I am inspired by nature. Everywhere I go, I’m looking around to see what’s growing, whether purposely planted or sprung up from seed. I try to include natives wherever possible and remember our wildlife friends when planning a garden.
If you’d like to be able to enjoy your outside space more or need help planning your next garden, give me a call.
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