Californian Bungalow

Landscape Designer Colin Brown is currently creating a garden around a Californian Bungalow style house. Colin's approach is to 'keep it simple', and to try to incorporate elements of the architecture into the design. The solid vertical lines of the building have been repeated on the ground in the edging, which clearly defines the garden beds and the lawn, while the brick and stone fencing and plinth reflect the original verandah of the house. The back garden is currently a work in progress. A series of dry stone walls is being constructed and hedges are being planted to soften the hard lines of the pool area and disguise the ugly pool fence.

Choice of plants

The mix of plants is both conservative and quietly adventurous. Most were chosen because they are indicative of the era, and many have flowers in yellow and orange tones. The yellow not only provides sparks of boldness throughout the garden, but it also happens to be the client's favourite colour. The apricot flower colour of an angel's trumpet (Brugmansia x candida) is repeated in the 'Crepuscule' roses against the wall, which will eventually frame the windows. A series of pots is planted with giant ajuga (Ajuga reptans 'Catlin's Giant'), a wonderful, spreading groundcover plant with dark purple foliage and spires of purple/blue flowers. Native plants are also incorporated into the design, in particular a beautiful lilly pilly (Syzygium wilsonii) with magnificent red bottlebrush type flowers and luminous pink new growth.

Copyright CTC Productions 2000