This lush, multi-layered garden in Sydney’s east is a peaceful paradise for its lucky owners. With a pool and sauna fringed in colourful foliage, it’s their everyday go-to, either for entertaining, play or simply unwinding. But mozzies no longer share the buzz, thanks to its landscape designer, Luke Baldwin of Formed Gardens.

“I was sceptical when Luke told me that was achievable, but, after a summer with lots of rain, I can say he was right,” says owner David, who lives here with wife Nicole and their two children, a son, 13, and daughter, 11.

When the couple bought the home in 2016, the formal rear garden, with a lawn enclosed in buxus hedging and tiered plantings including magnolias and camellias, was undoubtedly picturesque. “It was pretty to look at,” says Nicole, “but we never used it.”

Climbers and trailing plants are used to great effect, such as this creeping fig (Ficus pumila) and trailing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’) cascading over the sandstone wall. An eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest pansy’) is typical of the ruby tones that mingle with green foliage. ((Photography: Brigid Arnott))

Densely planted and with poor drainage, it was a haven for mosquitoes. And while there was a terrace beside the house, the family rarely ventured beyond that. “It felt dark, overgrown and uninviting, and it sloped steeply from left to right,” adds Luke.

In their brief in 2022, the couple asked him to retain its virtues, including the luxuriant planting, but to add a pool and to boost its entertaining credentials with an outdoor kitchen beside the house.

“We wanted a more contemporary take on English style, combining a relaxed feel with traditional structured elements,” says David. “And a pool where we could interact, a place to entertain just off the house, and a usable lawn for two kids and our dog,” adds Nicole.

Hardy trailing plants, such as Plectranthus (both Plectranthus coleoides ‘Variegata’ and Plectranthus argentatus ‘Silver Shield’), tumble over a wall of reclaimed sandstone in this multi-layered garden. Australian violet (Viola hederacea) flows between sawn sandstone steppers. The Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense) in the foreground was a favourite of the owner’s that she insisted had to be retained. ((Photography: Brigid Arnott))

The couple were also keen to retain mature magnolias and crepe myrtles, together with two favourites, hydrangeas and a Loropetalum, or Chinese fringe flower, with its striking burgundy foliage. Colour throughout the year also topped the wishlist – Nicole adores purple and its myriad hues in foliage and flowers. Luke’s immediate challenge was the steep topography, which he resolved by introducing terracing, with the pool a key consideration.

“To resolve the sloping terrain, the swimming pool and its integrated concrete retaining wall cut through the site. We effectively used the pool as a retaining wall,” says Luke. As a result, the garden is split into two sections – a raised planter encases the pool and extends to the rear boundary, while lawn and garden enclose the lower spaces abutting the pool.

Custom sunloungers, Smithmade. Limestone coping and surrounds, and Blue Moon pool mosaics, Barefoot Living. Concrete render pool surround by Rockcote. Plantings include Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare), bugle weed (Ajuga reptans), Beschorneria yuccoides, Plectranthus argentatus ‘Silver Shield’, purple torch (Bartlettina sordida) and Indian hawthorn (Rhapholepis ‘Snow Maiden’). ((Photography: Brigid Arnott))

Trees

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)

Shrubs

Green Ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa ‘Glauca’)

Purple mist flower (Eupatorium megalophyllum)

Purple pixie (Loropetalum ‘Purple Pixie’)

Climbers

Creeping fig (Ficus pumila)

White Bengal clock vine (Thunbergia grandiflora ‘Alba’)

Groundcover

Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare)

Mosquito bush (Plectranthus ‘Mozzie Hanging Basket’)

Feature Plants

A backdrop of existing lilly pillies (Syzgium smithii) and a Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense), a favourite of the client and retained here as a hero of the new garden. Speckled spur flower (Plectranthus nico) and buxus balls (Buxus japonica), the latter cleverly salvaged from previous hedging. ((Photography: Brigid Arnott))

“The pool is the centrepiece that connects the house and lower terraces, including outdoor entertaining areas and kitchen, lawn, pool deck and spa,” he says. Concrete hardscaping, with a soft curve on one corner, encases the pool. “Pared back and tonal, the materiality of limestone paving, sandstone walling, concrete render and spotted-gum decking is subtle and brings a softness to the overall aesthetic,” says Luke.

And the massed planting of the old garden remains in spirit, but, having been thinned out, this new iteration lets in more light and it breathes – both anathema to mozzies. “The planting is sophisticated and structured, but also a bit looser, allowing perennials like Plectranthus species, ajuga and trailing rosemary to spread naturally and spill over walls,” he says.

There’s so much green, purple and red that it looks like a painting.
THE OWNER

When in flower they offer seasonal colour, especially in the purple palette so prized by Nicole. That’s also reflected in omnipresent red foliage, such as in the Chinese fringe flower, reprised with dwarf purple pixie peppered throughout. Lest they become overpowering, the ruby reds are toned down by green massed foliage. “The palette, which blends so well, is grounding and soothing. The planting is the hero here,” says Luke.

And, in the spirit of recycling, much of the green is generated by the original buxus hedging, smartly rebirthed as clipped balls throughout. Meanwhile, mosquito bush (Plectranthus ‘Mozzie Hanging Basket’) also helps keep pesky mozzies at bay.

An hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) (another owner favourite) sits in an Atlantis Egg pot from Four Seasons Nursery. Limestone paving, Barefoot Living. Sandstone rock face with sawn capping, Australian Sandstone Merchants. ((Photography: Brigid Arnott))

“There’s so much green, purple and red that it looks like a painting,” says David. “And the concrete and limestone really make the colours pop.” But this is so much more than a trophy garden.

“Our entertaining has gone through the roof,” he adds. “Before, space was limited, but now with eating and meal prep areas, the swimming pool and the lawn, it’s as if we have all these new rooms. And it’s magical sitting outside at sunset, when dappled light hits the pool.”

Landscape Designer

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