Don traveled to Melbourne to meet Kari Tusan, a Balinese man, and his Australian wife, Sarah. Kari and Sarah met in Bali, married and now live in Australia with their three children. They told Don that they'd like a tropical-style garden to remind them of Bali, but didn't know if that was possible in the cool Melbourne climate.

Don teamed up with landscape designer, Jim Fogarty, to transform the Tusan backyard into a little piece of Bali. They created the full tropical rainforest look using cool climate foliage plants sourced from local Melbourne nurseries.

How it was done All the unwanted plants and debris were cleared from the site. The two ponds were cleaned out and all the weeds removed. Some existing plants were retained, including a pomegranate (Punica granatum) and a clump of papyrus (Cyperus papyrus). Don put in a row of elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpus eumundi) to provide a backdrop of lush, shiny green foliage. This native rainforest tree has reddish new growth and it tolerates cold weather.

Cold tolerant palms were planted, including Bangalow palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana), cotton palm (Washingtonia robusta) and majestic palm (Ravenea rivularis). Several of the plants used in the makeover are New Zealand natives, including colourful cordylines (Cordyline cvs) and cold hardy flaxes (Phormium cvs). Don also planted white arum lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica), a non-invasive clumping bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii), bromeliads and some orange and yellow flowering clivias (Clivia miniata).      Several of the plants used in the makeover are New Zealand natives, including colourful cordylines (Cordyline cvs) and cold hardy flaxes (Phormium cvs). Don also planted white arum lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica), a non-invasive clumping bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii), bromeliads and some orange and yellow flowering clivias (Clivia miniata). Two large pots were filled with water and planted with water lilies. (Tip: if your water lilies aren't flowering, purchase some artificial water lily flowers and float them on the surface of the water.) The pavilion was decorated with tropical-style mats, cushions and gold Balinese flags. The garden was mulched and the plants watered in.

The new garden design was enhanced by authentic gardenware and pots imported from Bali by Kari and Sarah.

Further information

Landscape Designer
Jim Fogarty
Phone: 1300 888 916
Web: www.jimfogartydesign.com.au

Plants used in our segment are available from nurseries and garden centres.

Our palms were from:
R&M Fletcher’s Fern Nursery
Fern and Palm Specialists for Cooler Climates
62 Walker Road
Seville 3139
Phone: (03) 5964 4680

Some of our special plants came from:

Roraima Nursery
20 Swan Street
Lara 3212
Phone: (03) 5282 8704

Artificial water lilies cost approx. $7 from garden centres and water garden specialists. Our waterlilies came from:

Lotus Water Gardens
810 -834 Springvale Road
Braeside 3195
Phone: (03) 9798 4599
Email lotus@dezzanet.net.au

Gardenmarket
Balinese Gardenware & Pots
Phone: (03) 9807 0369
Web: www.gardenmarket.com.au

Copyright CTC Productions 2004