Don visited a garden consisting of three courtyards adjacent to different parts of a Spanish Mission-style house. Landscape designer Paul Bangay has used colour, fragrance, fruit, and the sound of running water to capture the essence and sensuousness of the courtyards of Spain. Paul overcomes the problem of restricted space by making sure that the eye is always pulled towards provocative focal points.
Front courtyard
This courtyard is the largest of the three, and its focal point is a marvellous water feature inspired by the Alhambra Gardens in Spain. A long channel leads the eye to a snake-entwined Indian lingam stone plumbed to work as a fountain. The lingam is a symbol of Shiva, the Indian god of fertility. The water trickles from a bronze lotus bud onto the lingam and into the pond. The channel works particularly well in a confined space like a courtyard: water constantly evaporates and helps cool the area, the sound of running water is very soothing, and the linear design of the water feature creates an illusion of extra space. Plantings in this area include lemon trees espaliered on a wall, orange trees in old Spanish oil jars, and two large Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis) which provide an accent point in each corner of the garden.
Wisteria arbour
It is very difficult to do much with pokey side passages, but Paul has turned this narrow area (no more than 2m or 6′ wide) into a triumph. A magnificent arbour about 3m (10′) tall supports white wisteria (Wisteria sinensis ‘Alba’) and draws the eye down the side to the rear courtyard.
Internal courtyard
This little courtyard features a square pool bordered by pavers and pebble-inlaid concrete, with a lotus patterned marble fountain.
Rear courtyard
This courtyard is the most functional. One end of an indoor lap pool can just be seen next to an entertaining area where the family has meals and the children play. The fountain, a green glazed ceramic pot of water overflowing into a trough, is planted on each side with evergreen magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora). A mirror behind the fountain extends the view back, and makes the courtyard look much more spacious than it really is. Apart from the magnolias, there are other plants with perfumed flowers used in this area. They include roses, murraya (Murraya paniculata) and star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). Loquats (Eriobotrya japonica) are espaliered on the fence. A bougainvillea (Bougainvillea ‘Magnifica’) with brilliant magenta bracts adds that warm splash of colour so typical of Spanish gardens.
Further information
The garden was designed by:
Paul Bangay
Landscape Designer
Phone: (03) 9521 1599
The old Spanish oil jars featured in the front courtyard are available from some antique shops.