There was a time when native Australian landscape gardens were considered dull and unexciting, but these days this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Native Australian garden design is spontaneous, diverse and beautiful. If you’re looking to create a native Australian garden on your property, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it’s important to choose plants that are native to your area – this will ensure that they’re well-suited to your climate and soil type. Be sure to research the best time of year to plant each type of plant, in order to give them the best chance of taking on a life of their own. Before you start planting, take the time to plan out your garden design so that you can make the most of your space. Finally, don’t forget to amend your soil with organic matter before planting – this will improve its quality and help your plants thrive.
The “typical” Australian garden can vary from scrubby and bush-like through to tropical and dense
There’s no “one size fits all” to the classic native Australian garden look. However, there are some plants that are more commonly found in Australian gardens than others, and these tend to be native. So, if you’re looking to create a garden with a distinctly Australian feel, here are some of the best native plants to consider:
Eucalyptus, Grevillea (also referred to as spider flowers), Acacia (aka Wattle), Lilly Pilly, Bottlebrush, Kangaroo Paw, Gymea Lilly, Carex Grass, Lomandra, Native Violets, Blue Fescue Grass, Westringia, Austromyrtus, Angophora and of course the iconic Grass Trees.
Hot Tip: When applying a native Australian style to your garden, try to mimic plant groupings that happen naturally in the wild.
Timber features heavily in Australian garden design
There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, timber is an abundant natural resource in Australia, not to mention it’s a versatile material that can be used for a variety of purposes in the garden. It offers a warm and inviting appearance that enhances the outdoor living space, which is why timber fences, trellises, arbours and gazebos never fail to instantly add an Australian feel to your garden.
It’s worth noting that sandstone is also a very popular material in Australian garden design, primarily because it’s an extremely durable material that can withstand the harsh conditions of the Australian climate, while also providing a beautiful natural colour and texture that adds a unique aesthetic to any garden. And finally, sandstone is relatively easy to work with, meaning that it can be used to create a variety of different garden designs.
When applying a native Australian style to your garden, avoid rigid straight lines and formal hedges
In keeping with true Australian gardening traditions, it’s best to use soft curves and opt for a “looser” free-form approach to your garden’s design structure. This might include using native grasses as edging around your garden beds, or creating a meandering path through your garden using steps made of natural Australian stone (or recycled timber sleepers, if you prefer a more rustic touch). Spontaneity is the aim of the game, here!
Water features are a staple of native Australian garden design
Breathe some life into your garden by incorporating water in creative and inspiring ways. Water features can be anything from a simple birdbath or water lily pond, to a more complex system of streams and waterfalls.
Great Spaces will bring your native Australian garden design ideas to life
At Great Spaces, we pride ourselves on providing Australian homeowners with end-to-end landscaping solutions that leave them with an attractive and inviting outdoor space for the whole household to enjoy for years to come.
Whether you have a clear vision for your native Australian garden or you’d like expert help putting the design ideas together; our team of landscapers, builders and horticultural experts handle everything from concept designs to landscape architecture and streamlined execution of the project.
To speak with us about your native Australian garden ideas, don’t hesitate to get in touch – we specialise in everything from garden beds to decking, lighting, planting, paving and more.
