‘THE ELMS’ HOUSE

Location

Mornington, Victoria

The brief was to create a low maintenance native front garden with no lawn areas, which would attract wildlife and compliment a contemporary residence. The space contains an existing Ulmus procera (English Elm) as well as significant street trees of Corymbia ficifolia (Red Flowering Gum) which have been retained and protected. Working closely with De Jong Architects and the client, the new garden incorporates an exposed aggregate concrete driveway and a broad pedestrian entry path of irregular Winstow stone pavers leading to a formal bluestone tiled entry. Low rendered retaining walls match the house, identify changes in level and incorporate feature lighting. Informal garden beds and gravel areas creates a seating area and provides a setting for a flagpole relocated from the original house. Planting includes Eucalyptus caesia ‘Silver Princess’ (Gungurru), Banksia integrifolia (Coastal Banksia), Anigozanthus flavidus ‘Big Red’ (Red Kangaroo Paw), Leucophyta brownii (Cushion Bush) and Leucadendron ‘Safari Sunset’ (Red Leucadendron).