In a large pot we have planted up a Brachychiton 'Griffith Pink' which we will keep maintained at around 3 mts. This will screen off the Air conditioner. Other aspects of this courtyard still to fill in are a Clematis armandii trained across an adjacent wall and a Bougainvillea trained across the courtyard entrance. We'll update with more photos as these aspects fill in.
Courtyard has been painted in a dark grey to update it and highlight the green. The darker colour also helps to retain the warmth of the day once the sun has passed overhead.
When viewed from indoors eventually green will envelope the entire view bringing the green right up to door.
All plants, pots and furniture supplied by Fitzroy nursery.
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The clients had a group of healthy Crassula ovata and we didn't see any reason not to utilise them. We paired them with clipped Correa alba balls and prostrate Rosemary in front of two established Crepe Myrtles. We used the cultivar 'Natchez' for its neat vase shaped growth habit and crisp white flowers. To create a screen along the entire length of the balcony we attached native hardwood posts to the brick walls and ran tensioned steel cable. The cable was erected at a height of 1.5 metres so that when seated the clients can enjoy privacy but when standing the surrounding buildings can also be enjoyed. Onto the cable we are training Star jasmine. This will provide a dense screen as well as fragrant blooms throughout the warmer months. On the opposite walls we used Ficus pumila which will be kept clipped tight to the walls. Spilling out of the hedge troughs used to grow the climbers is Silver Dichondra. Loropetalum 'China Pink' billows out of a couple of curvaceous 'U planters' to add some deep plum coloured foliage. On a shallow ledge to frame the entrance 2 bowls of purple flowering Bougainvillea are being trained into tightly clipped balls to add an explosion of colour in the summer months.
The overall colour palette is muted with silver foliage and white flowers throughout. The Plants sit back and allow the views to take centre stage. In time this balcony will become a retreat from the buzz of inner city living while still feeling distinctly urban. The Bougainvillea is the exception. It shouts, you've arrived! Now put your feet up and relax.
More photos will be added as this balcony fills in and develops.
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This beautifully designed Clare Cousins architects designed apartment had envious views out to the city skyline and over the rooftops and tree-line of neighbouring suburbs. Clare Cousins architects was responsible for the fit out of the apartment and had organised some custom sized planters to run the length of the balcony. It was our assignment to specify and source plants that would tolerate the high winds and intense sun experienced on this balcony without blocking out the views.
We used a combination of native and exotic species working with the elements, not against them. Working with a palette of Silver, Bronze, Blue, Yellow and White we paired Cerastium, Dichondra, Lomandra 'Seascape', Festuca glauca, Conostylis and Carex testacea together to create a planting scheme of colour and movement. To add some seasonal interest a Standard Maple was added into a protected corner. We selected the tree based on its shape which perfectly framed the view. On the far southern end of the balcony we made an unusual choice to act as a screen to the neighbouring balcony. We used an Acacia 'Copper tips'. We had never used this tree in a pot before but with clients with an open mind we made the decision to give it a go. The result, A graceful, wispy tree with highlighted copper tips and a soft flowing habit that captured the winds.
Although the plants used on this project give an overall softness to the look of the balcony they are all incredibly hardy meaning that the plants never look tired and only require maintenance 2 times a year. Due to the density of the plantings the overall effect was able to be achieved quickly. The plants graduate into each other creating a naturalistic planting nestled within an urban high density environment.
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This site was originally two seperate residences on opposing titles.
The owners worked with architects to bring the two titles together into one property.
We were approached by the clients to bring these two properties together cohesively through a connecting courtyard.
The site was tenanted for many years and was in a neglected state. We had to re level the topography of the site, removing a large quantity of soil, boulders and established tree stumps to get the site back to a workable state.
Working with the client we developed a design to not only be beautiful, practical and accessible for the family but help provide food and herbs for both residences.
To help soften the space we used a mix of of spotted gum and natural materials to bring the garden together with the residence. The plant choices were all designed to reflect the owners time spent overseas in Japan, Canada and the UK. We bought these cool climate elements together in the garden to reflect a woodland style using plants that are more tolerant of Melbourne's climate.
It has been a great pleasure to see how this garden has filled out and grown with the family over the past year.
Designed by Fitzroy Nursery
Construction by Yarra View Landscapes
Photography by Thomas Denning
]]>When our client approached us the weeds and rubbish onsite disguised the true charm of this historic site. We were champing at the bit to get started on this design.
Working with the new owner we were able to come up with a design that utilised existing materials and was sympathetic to the significance of the site. The original bluestone was re used where possible to create new shape and form to the garden. Left over stone was used to create a raised bed with a seat shaped from a single ring of River Red Gum.
With the original stonewall at the back of the courtyard close to collapsing immediate remediation works were required. Steel posts were sunk and used to brace the wall whilst re-construction was undertaken elsewhere. The solution was to suspend a section of mesh between the posts and train Star Jasmine on the mesh.
The planting design throughout the rejuvenated garden beds is contemporary with a nod to nostalgia. Large plantings such as Miscanthus ‘Cosmopolitan’ create a bold statement while White Thyme meanders over the stone walls creating a courtyard garden which has not only withstood the test of time but will continue to thrive into the future.
Design and planting: Fitzroy Nursery
Construction: Bespoke Landscapes
Photography: Thomas Denning
]]>Removal of these trees gave us the opportunity to design a light filled inner city oasis for our clients. We replaced an aging deck and tiered the garden with locally sourced slate to give the garden depth and sense of warmth. Our plant selection had a focus on featuring trees more suited to a small courtyard with climbers and perennials added to soften the natural materials of the garden.
We have enjoyed seeing this garden develop over the years into a tranquil space for our clients to relax in.
Designed by Fitzroy Nursery
Construction by PH Landscapes
Photography Thomas Denning
]]>Densely planted troughs filled with grasses and flowering perennials added movement and colour and transformed this rooftop into a habitat. Dragon trees and ‘Bambalina’ Olives offer form and structure while still adding to the overall softness of the planting scheme. Despite the heavily planted nature of the troughs maintenance is minimal requiring no more than a yearly cutback to rejuvenate.
Our design for this garden draws on years of experience working on some Melbourne’s most difficult sites. This rooftop demonstrates that lush plantings can be achieved regardless of location and exposure.
Designed and installed by Fitzroy Nursery
Photography by Thomas Denning
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The clients had envisioned a creek bed lined with native plants, which we achieved using a palette of natives known to attract wildlife.
The brief for the colour scheme was developed in close consultation with the clients to keep it light and natural. Sandstone and Spotted gum was incorporated into the design and the walls painted to match.
Extensive use of groundcovers will ensure that over time the balance of plants and stone will settle in beautifully.
Garden design: Fitzroy Nursery
Construction : Yarra Valley Landscapes
Photography: Thomas Denning
]]>We used a mix of lightweight fibre clay planters and vertical mesh to maximise the wall space in the garden and create tiers. Foliage was preferred over flower so the focus was on diversity of leaf form. At ground level planting was kept to a minimum but features a beautiful established Cercis with plum coloured leaves contrasting with the concrete to great effect.
As this garden matures the concrete surrounds continue to soften and blend.
Design and installation: Fitzroy Nursery
Photography: Thomas Denning
]]>Working with the existing trees of the garden we designed a harmonious blend of natives, productive edibles and a shady woodland garden. To tie in the plantings we used a mix of corten steel, spotted gum and Victorian blue stone, which will age beautifully with the garden.
We look forward to seeing this garden produce food for the family whilst providing a haven for native wildlife.
Garden Design and planting: Fitzroy Nursery
Construction: Bespoke Landscapes
Photography: Thomas Denning
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