trends in landscaping

Australians are becoming more environmentally aware and increasingly want a connection with nature in their gardens. Thus, the idea of the backyard as a private sanctuary is stronger than ever.

This translates into designing spaces with waterwise plants, homegrown vegetables and fruits, paved outdoor entertainment areas and ‘outdoor pavilions’. The outdoor pavilion, or ‘extra room’, has become a major focal point of the garden. Built-in seating, kitchens, fireplaces and barbecues under a permanent shade structure allow the ‘extra room’ to be enjoyed all year round and any time of the day if night lighting has been installed.

1. A strong trend in new garden design is

   textural contrasts

   of outdoor materials. This can be achieved in simple ways. Create a showcase of interesting pots (used like sculptural pieces), or use coloured and textured paving with timber, large pebbles, wall art and generous planting beds. Metal is a new dominant outdoor feature. Oxidised steel panels act as wall art or screening. Combine them with delicate planting such as native grasses that soften the edges.

2. Foliage plants

   are still popular and include succulents, native grasses, variegated plants with stripy whites, yellow, pinks and greens, cordylines for their sculptural forms and red hues. Popular plant colours are silver, grey, pink and burgundy. Combinations of waterwise native, indigenous and exotic plants are flourishing along with the Mediterranean garden. Choose ornamental grasses, aloes, lillipillies, salvias, artemisias and dwarf oleanders. Small trees, such as olive, frangipani and magnolia ‘Little Gem’ allow natural shade and complement a waterwise garden design.
3. The use of

   light coloured pavers

   and walls can brighten up a dreary part of the garden.
4. Combining large and small format pavers can add textural qualities to a space.
5. Pavers, retaining walls and plantings work hand in hand both texturally and tonally.

6. Mulches

   are also a strong part of the dry garden and add another textural and tonal element.
7. Pavers and retaining walls are important in setting the tone for an entertainment area and pavilion as they define the space, add colour, texture and interest.
8. Trees that show seasonal change are fashionable.
9. Pavers wrapped around a small tree or row of trees is very effective and stylish.
10. Natural free-flowing spaces are becoming more prevalent in garden design. The hard-edged angular look is still omnipresent but wherever possible softer curves are being introduced.

Soft lines can be created by:

• Using curved pathways to connect different outdoor spaces.
• Changing paving material and patterns to alter the mood and direction of an outdoor space.
• Creating a flowing line with pavers and retaining walls.

http://www.boral.com.au/landscaping/

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