Classic charm

By Lynne Testoni for The Landscape Association

This beautifully maintained and classically planted garden is an elegant accompaniment to the traditional home it surrounds

One of the challenges when creating a traditional garden is how to plant and maintain it so it looks established and in keeping with the existing architecture and plantings.

With the creation of this elegant and classically designed garden in Sydney’s leafy north shore, the team at Landart rose to that challenge with a carefully curated mix of plants, along with a considered and extensive maintenance schedule.

The resulting garden secured significant accolades at The Landscape Association’s (TLA) annual Landscape Excellence Awards in 2024, winning Landscaper of the Year – Residential Maintenance. The garden was also recognised as a winner in the category of Residential Maintenance of the Year Award. The same project also won Landscaper of the Year – Residential Construction.

The brief

The clients’ brief was for Landart, which has the catchphrase of home, garden and beyond, to pay homage to the surrounding suburbs by creating a beautiful and classic garden. The design was developed to create proportions more in line with the size of the property, to make sense of the studio and its relationship to the garden, and to create a pool area with sun lounges and spa for large family gatherings, as well as a lounge area and outdoor fireplace.

The front garden remained classical in style, with a new, more inviting pedestrian entry and a new traditional front fence, while updating and beautifying the existing driveways.

Scope of works

Included in the scope of works was retaining the two driveways and the detached dwelling in the rear. New elements included a bespoke sandstone and wrought iron front boundary fence, pedestrian entry, tiled driveways, new tessellated front patio, transitional areas, pool and spa, alfresco area and fireplace, rear water feature and extensive gardens.

The site included two very large established trees, a beautiful oak and a eucalypt, so the design and build ensured these two trees were protected. All walls were pier and beam foundation, and then Landart raised the spa and wading section as much as possible to reduce impact on the oak tree.

The extension of the pool and spa needed careful excavation, supervised by an arborist, to ensure no major roots were affected. Both trees survived the work and are thriving.

Maintenance

A garden design such as this requires regular and thorough care, especially with pruning and hedge trimming.

The maintenance schedule includes seasonal pruning of trees, including Betula pendula, Lagerstroemia indica ‘Natchez’, Prunus ‘Snofozam’, Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’, Malus ‘Cinderella’ and Hydrangea sp.

All hedges are also trimmed and shaped regularly, including Pyrus nivalis, Camellia japonica, Viburnum sp., Syzygiumsp., Buxus microphylla, and Alpinia malaccensis.

Other maintenance includes:

• Trimming and shaping topiary, including Buxus microphylla spheres, spirals and cones.

• Seasonal hard prune of shrubs and grasses including Miscanthus sinensis, Liriope ‘Evergreen Giant’, Salvia leucantha, Salvia nemorosa, Salvia ‘Mystic Spires’, Agapanthus ‘Silver Baby’, and Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’.

• Trimming and training all climbers including Trachelospermum sp.

• Pruning, shaping, trimming and tidying of all ground covers, including Ajuga reptans, Dichondra, Lobelia angulata, Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’, and Trachelospermum asiaticum.

Plantings

Pyrus nivalis were planted to frame the driveway and create an avenue effect. The Landart crew pleached these trees for screening up high with an underplanting below, maintaining the visual depth of the garden bed.

The garden includes significant plantings of Rosa ‘Iceberg’, which have been nurtured and are performing well. They have been getting deep waterings because of the irrigation system and recent rain. The roses are fertilised through the growing season to promote health and blooms.

The Landart team prunes throughout the growing season to remove dead stems and to promote growth. They are sprayed for aphids and have a 75mm mulch bed beneath them.

White Hydrangea macrophylla is planted throughout the garden, with the soil pH monitored regularly to keep it at around 6.5 – 7.0, so the flowers stay white.

The final result

The resulting garden is a fine example of a classically designed garden that features formal planting and hedges. With a predominance of white-flowering plants and climbers, it is reminiscent of English formal gardens and is often subtly scented.

About the awards

These awards celebrate the very highest standards and achievements in Landscape Construction, Design and Maintenance in the Residential and Commercial sectors. Recognising innovation, creativity and outstanding craftsmanship, the awards are the highest accolades in the industry and are just one of many TLA benefits included in a TLA membership. To find out more about membership or contact the team directly, visit www.landscapeassociation.com.au

All images supplied by The Landscape Association