An active family of four asked Ian Barker Gardens to transform their tired front, side and rear gardens into areas that shone. In keeping with the flavour of their heritage home, Ian Barker felt it was crucial that the garden design be classic and timeless with a contemporary edge.
The brief for the front garden was simple: to make heads turn and create a showstopper that would command roadside attention. A dedicated front entrance was also a must. As is the case with many of the older properties in the area, the heritage Victorian property was already home to an array of mature trees including well-established deciduous Magnolias and Japanese Maples.
Ian’s preference was to keep or reuse existing plants wherever possible so his recommended design showcased the existing assets, albeit in a different configuration.
To achieve the front entrance the client’s desired, 20+ year old trees needed to be transported to other areas of the garden. To do this was costly and not without some risk, but that leap of was key to transforming the garden.
Ian Barker Gardens employed the services of Established Tree Transplanters who used high pressure water jets to cleanly cut around the tree roots before removing.
This helped to reduce shock to the trees.
With this technique the chances of success increase from the average 70% to 98%. To mitigate the risk of fatal transplant shock even further, the transplant was done during cooler weather before the leaves turned.
Repositioning the 6-metre-high Maples allowed Ian Barker Gardens to create a simple, lush canopy, which gave the client the clearly defined, direct access to the home they wanted.
The sheer stature and maturity of these trees makes this front garden a show stopper.
A slightly contemporary offset path to the side of the home was designed to link the classic front garden with a more modern setting at the rear. The offset steppers are broken up with Filetti ‘Endicott’ feature paving to add interest and warmth to the design.
A pool and entertaining area were both high up on the family’s priority list for the landscape at the rear of the property.
An extraordinary 8-metre-high, 2000L root ball, Magnolia grandiflora tree was brought in and positioned on the adjoining fence line to provide necessary privacy from the neighbouring property. The maturity and health of the trees are the absolute focal points of this landscape.
The planting palette for this garden design was simple and understated. Ian Barker Gardens chose to use Asplenium bulbiferum (ideal for Woodlands), Liriope muscari ‘Royal Purple’, Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’, Buxus sempervirens spheres, Pyrus nivalis, and Parthenocissus tricuspidata.
Key Products Used
- 750 x 400mm Flamed ‘Smokey grey’ granite paving
- Water feature bowl – front garden
- Timber batten fence and gate
- 800 x 400mm flamed ‘Smokey grey’ granite paving
- Retaining garden bed wall clad with flamed ‘Smokey grey’ granite
- Pool and spa tile – Cotto pool tile ‘Antique Green’
- Glass pool fence upon masonry retaining wall clad with flamed ‘Smokey grey’ granite
- Stainless steel water spout
- Black steel pergola
- Timber decking
- 100mm wide filetti ‘Endicott’ Inlay
- Platanus orientalis living pergola under planted with Liriope muscari ‘Royal Purple’.
- ‘Bokhara’ exposed aggregate concrete driveway
Project Details
Site size – 790 m2
Completion date – 2019
Building levels – 1
Project Team
Garden Design and Construction
Ian Barker Gardens
Ian Barker Gardens is an award-winning landscape design, construction and maintenance service based in Canterbury, Victoria. Founded by Ian Barker in 1996, the Ian Barker team comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge, offering you a level of professionalism that is unsurpassed in the landscaping industry.
Tree Transplantation
Established Tree Transporters
Founded in 1973, ETT began as the vision of Graham & Judy Davis, who, after returning from the UK where Graham learned the innovative techniques for transplanting large trees, set about demonstrating that urban landscapes could be transformed by the inclusion of mature trees.
Demand for trees quickly grew, and within 12 months of operation, ETT began growing its own stock, establishing its first nursery on three acres in Wandin East. Specialising in the production of selected species suitable for street tree planting, ETT was responsible for the re-imagining of suburban streetscapes.
Outdoor Furniture
Cosh Living
Cosh Living offers a comprehensive range of quality indoor and outdoor furniture from leading designer brands, both European and Australian.
Pool
Enki Pools
For 20 years Enki Pools has helped bring dreams to life by designing and constructing outdoor spaces that make people feel good.
They specialise in the design and construction of integrated swimming pool and landscape projects in all areas of metropolitan Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.
The Enki Pools team comprised highly skilled full time employees, removing the many pitfalls that arise from using unknown or inexperienced subcontractors.
Photography
Claire Takacs
Claire Takacs is a photographer inspired by light, nature and beauty. Gardens are her canvas and she always strives to capture the essence of any garden she visits and the beauty of fleeting moments in these special places. She knows it’s a privilege to see what she does, working with some of the world’s best designers, gardeners, writers, editors and publishers. Gardens are seen as living works of art, in conversation with nature. Sharing their beauty, magic and inspiration, makes it all worthwhile.
Photo Gallery
Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge.
Design © 2020 Ian Barker Gardens. All Rights Reserved. | Images © 2020 Claire Takacs. All Rights Reserved.
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