By Dr Peter Irga
Did you know that the air in your home or office might be missing something found in forests and waterfalls – negative air ions (NAIs)? These naturally charged particles can help remove pollutants from the air.… Continue reading
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Habitats develop in layers of repeated resource accumulations: niches where moisture and nutrients are captured between inanimate and living structures (Image: Erik van Zuilekom)
By Erik van Zuilekom
The polarised debate over native versus exotic species frequently misses the fundamental question: does the landscape function as an integrated ecology, or merely as a collection of isolated individuals?¹ Plant failure in professional landscapes may occasionally stem from poor species choice, though it most frequently emerges from inappropriate ecological integration.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Gabrielle Stannus
Who recalls the bruised knees and torn skin from the asphalt jungles of their childhood? I certainly do! That is why, despite having only designed a couple of play spaces myself (which are yet to be built!), I retain a keen interest in the works of others in this space.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Prue McGruther
In landscape design, our attention often falls on flowers, foliage, bark, or branch structure. Roots, especially aerial, are rarely considered for their visual appeal, yet under the right conditions, figs (Ficus spp.)… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Gabrielle Stannus
Open Gardens Victoria is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month. I spoke with Sam Cox, one of Australia’s foremost proponents of naturalistic garden design about the opening of Red Gums, one of this scheme’s official anniversary gardens. During our conversation, Sam shared the reasons why he thinks other landscape professionals should open their gardens too, and (bonus!)… Continue reading
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Vine thickets are overlooked in the landscape, yet they provide cover and nesting opportunities for some threatened native bird species
By Patrick Regnault
I would like to start with a definition: Revegetation is the process of planting or seeding an area that has been too damaged for natural regeneration. Revegetation is important to help restore degraded land, create wildlife corridors, mitigate flood damage and reduce soil loss through erosion.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy John Fitzsimmons
When we are in landscape mode we often think of architectural plants, specimen trees, colour palettes, textures, borders and backdrops for impact and low maintenance. We should not however forget the visual impact and benefits of one of the most widely used landscape elements and approaches — mass plantings.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Gabrielle Stannus
Many of us would remember learning in school about the pivotal role that American Walter Burley Griffin played in the design and development of the Australian national capital. However, author Robert Macklin says that another man deserves more credit for his role in transforming the Limestone Plains into the thriving garden city we now know as Canberra, and for laying the foundations for modern Australian horticulture.… Continue reading
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L-R: Heidi Mikulic, David Hay, Oshadi Jayasinghe and Priyanka Patil from Thomson Hay Landscape Architects (THLA) celebrating their win at the recent AILA Awards dinner (Image: Thomson Hay Landscape Architects)
By Gabrielle Stannus
How many young landscape architects can say that they have worked on a project for ten years? Heidi Mikulic can, and she says it was time well spent. Heidi started on the Stonehill Gully and Escarpment Regeneration project in 2014, around the same time that she joined Thompson Hay Landscape Architects, the design practice undertaking this work for the site’s developer, Devine Pty Ltd.… Continue reading
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The new rear garden includes a hardy lawn area of TifTuf grass, pool and cabana, framed by rows of Waterhousea floribunda (weeping lilli pilli) around the boundaries of the garden to ensure privacy
By Lynne Testoni
This elegant and classically designed garden proved to be an award winner for Inspired Exteriors.
An engaged, design-conscious client is always a plus, as landscape designers Inspired Exteriors found when they were engaged to create this beautiful garden in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.… Continue reading
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