You may remember last year on Burke's Backyard we did a tremendously popular courtyard makeover using blue metal dust. Recently we've been back to check on the progress of the plants and add a very special finishing touch to the job.

Update

For the courtyard centrepiece an advanced evergreen magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) was used. It is now well established and growing strongly. We put in over 200 plants and not one has died, in fact they're all doing really well! We've started to trim the camellia hedges, and the cypress pines (Cupressus torulosa) have also been trimmed so that they will keep their strong, architectural shape.

Reproduction Horse Trough

When we did the makeover a gap was left in the camellia hedge. We wanted to use an old concrete horse trough as a fountain in that position, but found that it wasn't possible to buy one. Don took photographs of a beautiful old trough at Grafton and asked Circa Studios if they could make a reproduction. They came up with an exact replica made of lightweight composite stone, fitted with an antique looking brass nozzle and a simple 24-volt pump. This wonderful feature piece draws the eye and adds the perfect finishing touch to the makeover.

Cost and availability:

Horse trough - $2380
Low voltage pump - $330
Ornamental tap - $190
All are available from Circa Studios, phone: (02) 9310 2666.
(Note: The trough is recommended for ornamental use only)

Further information

If you would like full details of last year's blue metal makeover, the fact sheet is still available on the Internet (click here Blue Metal Makeover ).

Copyright CTC Productions 2000