Our goal in this project was to create a natural-feeling space that did not appear too cultivated.  Our challenge was to find the right plants and placement to provide the wild and rustic feel without being messy and unmanageable.  The property contained a number of mature trees such as Eucalyptus and pine, both of which posed additional challenges – choosing drought-and shade-tolerant species that would also thrive in soil altered by the pungent leaves and bark of the eucalyptus and pine.

 

We relocated the roses from the shadier front strip to a sunny area and added lomandra, agapanthus, hydrangea, lirope and hellebores, which provide winter interest when the hydrangeas are dormant. The final design included grasses and a mix of white, purple and lavender flowers of varying heights and textures.