Courthouse Hotel - Under Construction

At the end of last year Tamara received notification that one of our hotel projects was under construction. We are looking forward to seeing some photos of the end result.

She recently had to revise this projects’ planting palette, as Tamworth is currently under level 5 water restrictions. Previously the planting palette was all native, as required by the Council Development Control Plan (DCP), however, native does not necessarily mean drought hardy. She was able to maintain the integrity of the design while also choosing plants that are both native, drought hardy and able to tolerate the frosts that Tamworth experience during winter.

The Hibiscus ‘Rubra’ feature tree in the courtyard is an excellent choice for this project; small enough for the location with stunning year round foliage.

The wonderfully soft Adenanthos (Woolly Bush) is punctuated with the upright Hibbertia spicata ‘Ocean Reef’. Together these two plants create a visual screen; separating the car park from the courtyard and bistro spaces, while still allowing for passive surveillance of the car park.

Finally a green blanket of native Myoporum softens the newly built exposed brick planters. These planters separate the courtyard space from the car park. Softening these raised planters will help this new extension to blend into its existing surroundings quickly.

Beautiful Low Water Use Plants

Many Councils during the DA process stipulate that plants selected for landscape designs need to be plants that do not require a lot of water. With Sydney’s current water restrictions it is a wise idea to incorporate these kind of plants into your landscape.

Below are Tamara’s favourite Beautiful Low Water Use Plants:

Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos species), particularly the ‘Bush Gems’ range. They flower year round and look excellent when mass planted.

Agapanthus, while sometimes considered old fashioned, are wonderfully drought hardy and look fabulous in Classic and Hamptons style gardens. The dwarf varieties such as the one above (Agapanthus ‘Snowball’) shower your garden beds with flowers throughout the warmer months.

Acacia ‘Limelight’ or Acacia ‘Fettuccini’ are new ground cover varieties of our native acacia trees. They rarely flower so allergens are not a problem and they provide a lovely soft textural element to the garden.

Pittosporum ‘Golfball’ is a fabulous drought tolerant substitute for Box Balls as it has a fine leaf and a naturally mounding habit requiring less maintenance than traditional buxus.

Hebe ‘Emerald Green’ is another naturally mounding plant. Smaller in stature than the Pittosporum ‘Golf Ball’ this plant is an excellent border plant and has a great vibrant colour.

Our native Westringia is another excellent drought tolerant native replacement for traditional box; either as a hedge or trained into balls. There are quite a plethora of varieties each with their own green tone from grey, to blue, to green making this plant very versatile.

Rhapiolepis is a great choice for a flowering shrub with a fragrant flower. The differing heights of the varieties allow this plant to be used in numerous applications throughout the garden. Also comes in pink if colour is required.

Crassula plants are succulents with wonderful textural foliage. Excellent in tropical, coastal, arid or even classical gardens. (Crassula ‘Max Cook’ seen above)

Blue Chalksticks or Senecio serpens is an excellent textural ground cover. Its blue tones are fabulous when paired with tropical or coastal planting.

Agave geminiflora while not a native is very reminiscent of our native grass trees (Xanthorrhoea sp.) and fit in well with arid or native style gardens.

Carpobrotus rossii often found at the beach is a great ground cover for a pop of colour and will nicely trails down retaining walls and planters. (Also comes in white for a more classic application)

Malabar Design Under Construction

Malabar Landscaping under Construction!!!

Geoscapes landscape design for our private client in Malabar is now under construction. We are very excited to see the results in the next few weeks. The design incorporates everything that a modern beach side house needs. A pool set against tropical lush planting, outdoor terraces, a beach style entry and approach and plenty of chill out areas.

French pattern Travertine paving being laid in the rear courtyard