Don looked at two low maintenance gardens designed by Ted Whitley, of Sacred Grove Gardens in Sydney. Ted has combined native and succulent plant varieties to achieve year-round visual appeal, while minimising the work involved in maintaining them.
Paddington courtyard
This garden is designed to showcase some beautiful succulent varieties, including Yucca elephantipes, Agave attenuata and some large aloes. A thin bed of succulents forms a stunning feature along the side of a stylish plunge pool, finished with tiny black tiles. The plunge pool has a push-button operated safety cover to prevent children drowning. A luxurious daybed beside the plunge pool divides the courtyard into different garden ‘rooms’.
Charcoal-coloured, reconstituted stone pavers contrast beautifully with the strong ochre render on the courtyard wall, and create a sleek and practical surface around the pool and in the entertaining area. Time spent maintaining this garden is approximately 5-6 hours per year!
Rose Bay garden
Like the Paddington courtyard, this garden features the rigid architectural style and beauty of succulents, cycads, palms and flax, as well as Australian natives. Ted describes it as a sculpted garden – lush, complex, with lots of colour and interest in the foliage and flowers. There is no lawn to mow, fertilise or water. Once a year Ted cuts the dead flowers off the kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos cvs).
Further information
Most of the plants used by Ted Whitley in these gardens are readily available at nurseries and garden centres. Your nursery can also suggest alternatives suitable for your particular climate and situation. Plant prices vary depending on size. Mature plants can be expensive but smaller plants establish quickly and cost less. Ted Whitley Sacred Grove Gardens Mobile: 0417 219 109