Landscape architecture by Nelson Thomas Landscape Architects.
This garden in the Sydney suburb of Oatlands, New South Wales, was created for a retired couple with a deep love for gardening.
The homeowners wanted more than just a good looking outdoor space. They were after somewhere to potter, unwind and simply enjoy being among their plants. With a generous block of land to work with, the design, by Nelson Thomas Landscape Architects, centres on creating spaces that invite relaxation and connection with the garden itself.
The Brief
The homeowners were looking for a sense of arrival as they approached their home, and a series of distinct garden “rooms” that could be enjoyed across the seasons. As passionate gardeners, their vision was for a space that balanced beauty with functionality all year round.
While some existing structural elements, like walls and columns, needed renovation, these were thoughtfully worked into the new design to retain the property’s character.
A diverse, cottage-style planting palette was chosen to reflect their love of gardening, bringing colour, texture and seasonal interest throughout the garden.
The Transformation
The garden redesign involved reworking several existing features on the property, including pathways and retaining walls. To improve both accessibility and appearance, the original paths were replaced with new paving materials that better suited the overall look of the garden.
Additional retaining walls were added to introduce gentle level changes, while the existing structures were thoughtfully incorporated into the updated layout. The result is a series of clearly defined garden rooms, each framed by layered planting.
The Result
The finished garden is a welcoming and calming space that reflects the homeowners’ passion for plants and outdoor living. The colourful planting brings seasonal interest and adds a sense of joy and vitality to the landscape.
Seating areas offer quiet spots for rest and reflection, while the ever-changing garden continues to bring delight as the homeowners tend to it and watch it flourish.
Key Plant List
- Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
- Lagerstroemia Indian Summer ‘Acoma’ (Crepe Myrtle)
- Magnolia x alba ‘White Champaca’
- Alpinia zerumbet (Shell Ginger)
- Anemone hupehensis japonica (Pink Japanese Anemone)
- Arthropodium cirratum ‘Te Puna’ (Dwarf New Zealand Rock Lily)
- Buddleia davidii (Butterfly Bush)
- Buxus microphylla var. japonica ‘Sphere’ (Japanese Box)
- Dichorisandra thyrsiflora (Blue Ginger)
- Dichroa versicolor (Evergreen Hydrangea)
- Gaura lindheimeri (White Gaura)
- Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snow Queen’ (Oak-Leaf Hydrangea)
- Lavender ‘Lavish Double Blue’
- Ligularia dentata reniformis (Tractor Seat Plant)
- Liriope muscari (Evergreen Giant Lily Turf)
- Osmanthus fragrans (Fragrant Tea Olive)
- Plumbago auriculata
- Plumbago auriculata ‘Alba’
- Raphiolepis indica (Oriental Pearl)
- Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
- Salvia ‘Velour White’
- Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage)
- Salvia nemorosa ‘Pink Dawn’
- Brachyscome multifida (Cut Leaf Daisy)
- Pratia pedunculata (Trailing Pratia)
- Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’ (Creeping Rosemary)
- Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)
- Viola hederacea (Native Violet)
- Mandevilla ‘White’ (Sun Parasol White)
- Rosa banksiae
- Wisteria floribunda
- Phoenix roebelenii (Pygmy Date Palm)
- Blechnum gibbum ‘Silver Lady’
Landscape architecture by Nelson Thomas Landscape Architects
Photography by Kel Bush
Landscaping by The Mahony Group
—
Nelson Thomas Landscape Architects
Nelson Thomas is an award-winning garden and landscape design studio based in Sydney. We’re passionate about the way outdoor spaces enrich people’s lives. We start by listening — understanding our client’s vision for how spaces will be used. We consider the built environment and natural setting — how spaces flow into each other, fitting into the larger landscape — and we draw on the rich palette nature provides, transforming ideas into awe-inspiring gardens and landscapes.
