Landscape design by Andy Murray Landscape Design
Designed by Andy Murray of Andy Murray Landscape Design, this Melbourne garden took shape in March 2023, with the build carried out by Josh Norman Landscapes.
However, the design process began well before that, in 2021, and was grounded in an already established relationship since Andy had previously designed another garden for the same homeowners just a few blocks away.
Beginning a project with that sense of familiarity made for a relaxed and positive process and it shows in the outcome, a garden full of loose, flowing perennials that feels both carefree and intentional.
Resetting the scene
While there’s value in retaining established elements when they work, this site called for a full reset and the new established garden is proof that with the right mix of advanced trees, ground covers, perennials and over-planted creepers, it’s possible to create a garden that looks settled in from the start.
The homeowners had recently moved to a new house with a larger garden and were ready to create a space that better suited their lifestyle. A new pool and a music studio were top priorities due to one of their careers as a music producer, and the existing layout wasn’t set up to support that vision.
The existing site was a mix of mismatched bricks and palm trees, with poor drainage and a low roof and deck that made access to the back of the garden difficult. The goal was to start fresh with a design that was more functional and better connected to how they wanted to use the space.
The transformation
The rear garden level was raised and most of the existing vegetation was cleared to make way for the new layout, which included the sought after pool and music studio. A small studio clad in simple, inexpensive black materials was positioned before the pool went in. The pool itself was tucked into a nook beside the studio, so it didn’t overpower the garden.
The planting scheme was layered and generous. A Koelreuteria next to the deck offers long-term shade during the hot afternoon sun. Banksias and crepe myrtle provide texture and seasonal interest, while the inclusion of a large herb garden and edible perennials such as rhubarb and artichoke make the garden practical as well as beautiful. A raised concrete pipe was repurposed as a vegetable bed, and the rest of the garden was filled out with dense perennial planting.
Curved pathways were laid using crazy paving, with Pratia pedunculata alba and Dichondra repens interplanted to blur the edges between the paths and the planting beds. Small trees like Eucalyptus ‘Baby Blue’ were chosen for their fast growth and ability to frame the softer perennials, adding a sense of depth and maturity.
Full of life
This garden is filled to the brim with perennials, bringing softness and movement to the space. The overall planting style is loose, curvy and flowing, creating a natural counterbalance to the structure of the pool and studio.
Thanks to careful plant selection and layering, the garden established quickly. Groundcovers spread early on, with the perennials coming into their own by the following season. The result is a garden that feels full of life and already well-settled, offering a generous, productive and welcoming outdoor space that reflects the homeowners’ career and way of living.
Plant palette
Trees and shrubs
Banksia spp. (banksia)
Eucalyptus pulverulenta ‘Baby Blue’ (silver-leaved mountain gum)
Koelreuteria paniculata (golden rain tree)
Lagerstroemia spp. (crepe myrtle)
Perennials
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus (globe artichoke)
Echinacea ‘Primadonna White’ (coneflower)
Helenium ‘Rubinzwerg’ (sneezeweed)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Rheum rhabarbarum (rhubarb)
Grasses
Miscanthus transmorrisonensis (evergreen miscanthus)
Groundcovers
Dichondra repens (kidney weed)
Pratia pedunculata ‘Alba’
