Malvern Garden Project

Back in January 2017, the Ian Barker Gardens team was commissioned to design and construct all elements of a 350 m2 residential landscape at Malvern in Melbourne, Australia.

Unsurprisingly for an active family of four, a swimming pool was high on the priority list.

An entertaining area as well as a short-term parking options were also important, along with solutions on how best to disguise the adjoining property’s extension.

The clients were avid plant lovers, so adding as much greenery as possible was a must.

Given the heritage of the home, the Ian Barker Gardens design team felt it vital to keep the front garden traditional with an undercurrent of contemporary tones.

Formal box hedges border a mix of modern perennials and grasses such as German Iris, Cat mint, and Berberis.

Japanese maple trees add height and depth to the facade, whilst the weeping maple helps contribute to the spectacular seasonal colour changes.

Given the size of the rear landscape and the clients extensive wish list, the Ian Barker Gardens design team faced challenges in ensuring all garden elements would fit and work practically.

Pool compliance had to be adhered to whilst ensuring there was still sufficient room for movement around the grounds.

By ensuring that all design elements were to scale, and not overdoing any one feature, Ian Barker Gardens were able to achieve a successful balance.

Fast growing, dense Pyrus ‘Capital Ornamental Pears’ were used to shield the extension next door and, combined with Prunus lusitancia, worked to add necessary privacy to this property.

Clipped Buxus were selected for the structural support they bring to a garden, and a mixture of Hellebores and Himilayan Bistort ‘Persicaria affinis’ were added for their striking aesthetic qualities.

Hardscape elements were dispersed among the planting to tie the design together.

Bluestone was used for the paving and torquay pebbles added a much needed textural element to the front driveway – managing to unexpectedly soften the overall look in the process.

The entertainment area was covered by a cleverly designed pergola that suits the style of the house whilst still having a contemporary freshness about it.

This architectural feature is not only visually appealing, but will serve as an additional barrier to the extension next door as greenery grows in years to come.

The design as built strikes the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary, greenery and hardscape, and aesthetics and functionality.

Key Products Used

Planting

Trans Liriope Muscari ‘Evergreen Giant’
Pittosporum Tobira ‘Miss Muffet’
Pyrus Calleryana ‘Capital’
Hellebores
Liriope Muscari
Buxus Spheres
Persicaria Affinis
Prunus Lusitanica
Ficus Pumila
Cercis Canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’
Wisteria Sinensis

Hardscape

600 x 600 sawn bluestone pavers
Steel pergola
Water spouts emerging from hedge around pool

Project Details

Project size – 350 m2
Completion date – 2017
Building levels – 1

Project Team

Design and Construction

Ian Barker Gardens

Ian Barker Gardens is an award-winning landscape design, construction and maintenance service based in Canterbury, Victoria.

Founded by Ian Barker in 1996, the Ian Barker team comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge, offering you a level of professionalism that is unsurpassed in the landscaping industry.

www.landscape.net.au

Photography

Erik Holt

See more of Erik’s work on Instagram.