Colin and Liana Joyce built their new brick house on a steep clay slope during a long, hot, dry spell. When it rained, the land began to erode, and water gushed out of the slope around and under the house, collecting in a distant quagmire at the bottom of the hill.
To try to solve their landscaping disaster they talked to many landscaper designers, eventually finding one whose ideas suited their own aspirations for a garden, which was to make the most of the natural features of the land and to use Australian native plants.
Winning design
The plans were drawn up by landscape designer Paul Thompson, who in 1990 with this garden won the annual Victorian Landscape Contractors Association awards in two categories: ‘Landscape of the Year’; and ‘Water Conservation’.
According to the Joyces, the garden’s success is due to the fact that it embodies three ideal stages: a good idea and plan; complete implementation; and reliable subsequent maintenance. The plan incorporates bird-attracting native plants, space and ease of maintenance.
The garden has also been classified under the Land for Wildlife scheme.
Plantings
Landscaping began by diverting surface water around the house, to accumulate near the bottom of the slope in two interconnected ponds.
No soil was imported for the garden, rather plants were selected to suit the existing conditions. The whole garden has been planted with Australian natives, most of them indigenous to the local area. A snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora ) overhangs the bottom pond, and a range of hardy native grasses has been planted around the edges of both ponds to act as a natural water filter and as bird habitat.
Tough trees such as melaleucas, swamp gums and messmates have been planted at the very bottom of the garden which takes the overflow from the ponds at peak rainfall.
One of the ponds has a floating island in the middle, which acts as a bird refuge. It has been made from polypropylene drums covered with a galvanised steel frame. The ponds are full of wildlife which has made its own way to the area — frogs, yabbies, lizards, tortoises, herons, wild ducks, fairy wrens, thornbills, pardalotes and mudlarks (peewees) abound. Only native fish (golden perch) were introduced by the owners.
Many different birds and other wildlife have been attracted to the garden including: red rumped parrots; crimson and eastern rosellas; galahs; gang-gang cockatoos; lorikeets; kookaburras; magpies; ravens; scrub wrens; and even koalas.
The front flower garden was designed to hold more decorative and colourful plants, wildflowers such as chocolate and vanilla lilies, milkmaids, native daisies, native bluebells (Wahlenbergia stricta) and early Nancies, plants that once flourished in the grassy plains around Melbourne. The ornamental pond is bordered with ferns, reeds and sedges.
Further reading
If you are interested in finding out more about creating your own native garden, perhaps on a smaller scale consult:
Paul Thompson’s book Water in your garden, (Lothian Australian Garden Series, $16.95). ISBN: 0 85091 436 1.
Diana Snape’s book Australian Native Gardens, (Lothian $29.95) which includes photographs of Don Burke’s own backyard. Although it is out of stock at present your local bookshop will be able to order it for you. You may have to wait around six weeks for new stock to become available.
Further information
The Land for Wildlife Program is a voluntary scheme which aims to encourage and assist private landholders to provide habitats for wildlife on their property, even though the property may be managed primarily for other purposes. The scheme operates in Victoria and Western Australia and there are currently over 4500 properties involved. If you are interested in joining the scheme contact:
Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria. Phone: (03) 9412 4538.
Conservation and Land Management, WA. Phone: (08) 9334 0427.
This garden is occasionally open under Australia’s Open Garden Scheme. To find out more about gardens under the Scheme consult the 1997/98 guidebook or phone: 1900155 064.
To find native plants to create your own piece of Australia in your backyard visit a specialist native nursery in your local area to seek inspiration and advice about gardening with Australian native plants. The following native plant nurseries are recommended:
New South Wales
Annangrove Grevilleas Native Nursery
98 Annangrove Road
Kenthurst 2156
Phone: (02) 9654 1380
Wirreanda Nursery
169 Wirreanda Road
Ingleside 2101
Phone: (02) 9450 1400
Queensland
Fairhill Native Nursery
Fairhill Road
Yandina, 4561
Phone: (07) 5446 7088
There is a comprehensive colour catalogue available from the nursery for $16 (including postage). The nursery, through its catalogue, also offers a mail order service.
Victoria
Kuranga Native Nursery
393 Maroondah Highway
Ringwood 3134
Phone: (03) 9879 4076
Western Australia
Zanthorrea Nursery
155 Watsonia Road
Maida Vale 6057
Phone: (08) 9454 6260