Landscape designer, Rick Eckersley, transformed a neglected yard with an old tennis court into a wonderful, multicultural-style garden. Rick incorporated Greek, English, French, Islamic and Balinese influences into his design. The garden has strong geometric lines, moulded and softened by a great diversity of plants. It also has many interesting features and focal points, including pebble paving, ponds and alfresco dining areas.
Garden highlights
The front garden is dominated by black and white pebble paving in a design known as Krokalia (Krokalia is a Greek word meaning ‘alligator back’). These decorative mosaics can be found in gardens and courtyards in the Dodecanese Islands, which are situated in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey.
The krokalia design in the pebble paving is reflected in the ironwork, while the solid components such as fences and walls are painted in strong colours. They include Murowash ‘Suntan’ on the house, Murowash ‘Aubergine’ on the pergola and Murowash ‘Blackberry’ around the gateway. There is a paved barbecue area to the left of the house, with a rosemary-hedged herb garden and service area to the right. Mass plantings of grasses, sedums (Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’), euphorbias (Euphorbia characias ssp wulfenii), murrayas (Murraya paniculata) and roses offset the geometric elements in the garden, and give it a relaxed, welcoming feel. Japanese or Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Veitchii’) covers the front fence. The terraced back garden has wonderful views across the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. On the day we visited, white luculias (Luculia grandiflora) were flowering on the top terrace. There is a paved entertaining area under a pergola, surrounded by massed New Zealand rock lilies (Arthropodium cirrhatum). The lower back garden used to be a tennis court, but it is now a water feature reminiscent of the Alhambra, in Spain. A Balinese lion fountain with moss on his head overlooks a small circular pool, connected by a rill to a large rectangular lily pond. Pots on each corner of the lily pond are planted with olive trees (Olea europaea cv). Surrounding plantings include fruit trees, agaves, maples, birches, daphne and hellebores.
Further information
Anagnostou garden, 14 Summit Drive, Eaglemont, will open August 31 – September 1, 10am – 4.30pm, under Australia’s Open Garden Scheme. For more information phone 1902 261 026.
Rick Eckersley
Eckersley Garden Architecture
03 9421 5537
[email protected]
www.e-ga.com.au