Although on a tight budget, Bronwyn and John Chippendale were prepared to spend money on the structure of their garden. They realised that if the bones were right, the rest would fall into place. They called in landscape designer Phillip O'Malley, and asked him to include a Thai pavilion, water features and lush, tropical plantings in his design.

Design solution

New French doors lead from the living room of the house to the pavilion, which is reached by crossing a chequerboard of paving squares and squares of Japanese temple grass (Zoysia sp). The paved area is flanked on either side by elegant ponds surrounded by tropical cordylines (Cordyline fruticosa hybrids, also known as C. terminalis). The Thai pavilion gives a strong focal point to the area. Phillip has used the pond and the pavilion as a retaining wall, creating an illusion of extra space in the garden (from the back of the house to the fence is only about 8m or 25'). The pavilion serves as an outdoor living and entertaining area, complete with lighting and a large table and chairs. It is much more roomy and functional than the classic, pokey garden gazebo. The garden is filled with colourful foliage plants including coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides cultivars), zebra plant (Calathea zebrina) and cannas (Canna 'Tropicanna'). Boundary plantings of gingers and palms provide privacy. Phillip chose plants such as mondo grass (Ophiopogon intermedius 'Stripey White') which look great but are low maintenance.

Why this garden works

Phillip thinks that it is possible to make a conventional house work with an unconventional garden. He said the secret is to unify the two using earthy colours. He also feels that Bronwyn and John have a good ownership of the garden because they added the finishing touches themselves. "It will always have their energy because they were so much a part of it".

Further information

The garden was designed by:
Phillip O'Malley
PO Box 313
Pomona, Qld, 4568
Phone: (07) 5485 2858
Mobile: 0419 332 522
Web: http://phillipomalleygardendesign.com.au

This garden will be open on 1 and 2 February 2003 as part of Australia's Open Garden Scheme. Cost: $4.30. For information closer to the date phone: 1902 261 026.

Copyright CTC Productions 2002