Fleming's and Trailfinder's Australia Garden

By Jamie Durie. This garden has a distinctively Australian theme. The design uses some of the unique natural materials of the Australian landscape and combines them with modern elements to create a very liveable space. The design draws on the varying Australian landscape from the beach to the bush. There is an extensive use of water and an Australian native planting theme, using some of Australia's most distinctive plants.

At the front of the garden, a large shallow pond of water gives way to a serpentine timber deck. Incorporated into the deck are some gentle undulations that function as ideal positions for lounging in the warmth of the sun. These undulations are cleverly mimicked in the pool to give the impression of curved water. Rising from the timber decking, a stone wall adds a new textural element and functions as a retaining wall for the planting at the rear of the garden. Incorporated into the stone is a large day bed that offers another ideal location for relaxing. From one section of the stone, water gently spills into a secondary pool adding the gentle and calming sound of water to the garden.

At the rear of the garden, larger rammed earth walls provide a natural backdrop, as well as providing a canvas for some traditional Australian aboriginal artwork. Scattered throughout the garden are large steel and copper sculptures that serve as decorative elements, as well as offering the functionality of being used as planters. Also of sculptural significance are large gabion bowls that showcase large, distinctive Australian trees.

The Australian native plants used in the garden are selected predominantly for their unique and unusual forms, and they are all hardy and robust plants that are able to withstand the rigours of the dry and unpredictable Australian climate. The planting mimics the way many of these plants occur in their native habitats - the larger plants in random clusters with an understorey that is more consistent and uniform.

Key plants include Xanthorrhoea (grass tree) and Brachychiton (bottletree) - both unique in habit and typically Australian. Also included in the planting is the new Anigozanthos 'Bush Diamond'. This is a brand new release and the very first white flowering kangaroo paw, which is a true colour breakthrough.

Planting list:
Anigozanthus Bush Diamond ('Rambudiam')
Anigozanthus 'Bush Inferno'
Anigozanthus Bush Bonanza ('Rambubona')
Xanthorrhoea preisii
Brachychiton rupestris
Myoporum parvifolium pink-flowered
Callistemon citrinus 'Splendens'
Macrozamia moorei
Dianella tasmanica Tasred ('Tr20')
Acacia cognata 'Limelight'
Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei
Adenanthos sericeus
Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles'
Brachyscome sp.
Dichondra sp.
Grevillea sp.
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Restio tetraphyllus
Typha sp.
Westringia sp.
Casuarina cunninghamiana