Don looked at a modern interpretation of an historic garden that might have been seen around a house built in the late 1890s. The design is a collaboration between Interior Designer, Christian Lyon, and Landscape Designer, Jo Taylor. 'Granny Goes Groovy' is the fun name they've given to their design, and the use of traditional plants in a contemporary way.

Christian explained that the house once stood on the equivalent of 5 blocks of land, but after many subdivisions it was left on only 700 square metres. The original garden was gone, except for one almond tree. The new garden was built on what used to be the circular drive in front of the house.

Plantings of agaves (Agave attenuata) and Japanese sago palms (Cycas revoluta) add structure to the garden and also hark back to a bygone era. In fact, you'd be forgiven for thinking they are remnants from the old garden, rather then new plantings. A stephanotis (Stephanotis floribunda) twines up one of the verandah posts, its pure white flowers adding a heady, old-fashioned fragrance to the garden.

Freestone slabs have been used in a modern interpretation of traditionally crafted crazy paving. Although the white outdoor furniture is very modern, it does not look incongruous because the woodwork on the old house has been painted white. Christian thinks that mixing periods and different design elements adds individuality and goes with the 'Granny Goes Groovy' theme.

A beautiful water feature is backed by a row of bleeding heart trees (Omalanthus nutans). These trees have heart-shaped leaves that turn brilliant red, one by one, as they age. Bleeding heart trees tend to self-seed in warm temperate areas, particularly in gardens near bushland.

Traveller's palms (Ravenala madagascariensis) provide privacy and a feeling of luxury in the small, enclosed pool area. On the wall is a copper plaque discovered in a Perth antique shop. Christian and Jo think the relief is a depiction of the history of transport.

Contact information

Christian Lyon Design
496 Stirling Highway
Peppermint Grove WA 6011
Phone: (08) 9385 0848

Jo Taylor
Taylor Landscaping
59 Mountjoy Road
Nedlands WA 6009
Phone: (08) 9386 2345
Email: taylorscape@bigpond.com

Copyright CTC Productions 2002