Centre of attention

Designed by Mark Bell, Bell Landscapes

From the landscape designer:

Front garden

This landscape project forms part of a new architectural build by Smyth and Smyth Architects.

The pool was existing on the property, while everything else was newly designed by Bell landscapes.

The front area includes a driveway to the garage while the garden is a nice size for the scale of the area, says landscape designer Mark Bell.

"Our aim for the front landscaping was to soften and frame the architecture of the build, to lessen the impact of the driveway and create a lush entry to make coming and going from the home a nice experience for our homeowners."

This was achieved this by introducing mass plantings with lots of texture, soft earthy greens and Glauca tones – utilising plants of various heights to create a layering effect which adds depth and interest.

Principal plants used were Helichrysum Licorice, Native Viola, Zamia Furcaea, Podocarpus (for the main front hedge), Lomandra Tanika, Liriope 'Just Right', Raphiolepsis 'Snow maiden' and 'Oriental pearl'.

Courtyard garden

The courtyard garden is the focal point for the living areas, which wrap around it – a key design element linking the architecture and the natural landscape. 

"In fact, the internal courtyard is viewed upon entering the home, from the kitchen and the hallway, as well as the main living zones and the first floor bedrooms. 

For this key, on-show area, the designer sourced a hero piece to provide a central sculptural element. 

"A stunning Japanese Acer Senkaki works beautifully to fulfil this role," says Bell. "Being deciduous, it allows the winter sun to flood the space while providing protection form the harsh summer sun.

"We mounded this feature tree with a mass planting of Zoysia Tennifolia, then mass planted the surrounding areas with lomandra and various sculptural and textured shrubs, grasses and ground cover plants."

Organic Natural Bluestone steppers provide  access through this zone, with a small seating area integrated into the planting design to act as a social space or area of solitude.

There was also another smaller zone that was heavily planted in shade-loving feature plants.

Showering under the stars

"We also designed and constructed the outdoor shower using recycled railing sleepers to create an earthy and organic outdoor bathing feature – plantings around the shower include Philodendron Xandua and a Golden Cane Palm." 

Story by: Trendsideas