Josh visits a steep riverside block in Perth where the owners have had to work around some interesting natural features. Subscribe 🔔 ab.co/GA-subscribe
Owner Andrew Boyne is an architect who enjoyed the challenge of creating a low-impact home on the battle-axe block, and he devoted 80% of the land to garden. He says the presence of fresh water in such a summer-dry climate as a blessing; “We can irrigate the whole garden all year.”
To level out the site, three terraces were created. This allows different planting conditions, with the edges of the terraces were raised to allow more arid species to grow there, by bringing them out of the water table.
Drainage is an issue because the water level is so high; soak wells were dug around the property to help dry it out, and elevating certain areas helped, too.
Any rain is collected through soak wells and then pushed through the main creek system that runs through the property.
The soak wells also direct the spring water to a number of water features, and from here they go via a waterfalls to the creek to a wetland.
More than 200 Western Australian plants have been used in the garden, with three areas representing three different WA regions.
Verticordia grandis has pride of place in a vertical concrete pipe that is visible from the main living space. Bull banksias and a Karri tree are other favourites.
Having huge picture windows helps connect them to the trees and plants when then connect them to place.
___________________________________________
Gardening Australia is an ABC TV program providing gardening know-how and inspiration. Presented by Australia's leading horticultural experts, Gardening Australia is a valuable resource to all gardeners through the television program, the magazine, books, DVDs and extensive online content.
Watch more: iview.abc.net.au/programs/gard...
Facebook: / gardeningaustralia
Instagram: / gardeningaustralia
Web: www.abc.net.au/gardening
___________________________________________
This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation KZfaq channel. Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).