Table of contents for Issue #18.1 2020 in Backyard and Outdoor Living

With a collection at last count of more than 150 plants, plus plenty of “babies” currently propagating in water, Rachel Smiles’ Sydney apartment is jungle-esque in its aesthetic, appropriately so for someone who goes by the Instagram handle @LushLittleJungle. For Rachel, it’s the “instant calming” effect of being surrounded by plants in the home that provides the incentive. “I also feel like they so easily transform a place from a bare and boring space to a unique, beautiful home,” she explains. “I remember when we moved house recently-ish, and as soon as our plants were placed in the apartment, it instantly looked like home even with all the packing boxes. I also love that there’s something new to discover each day, be it a bloom, new growth, or a fresh…

Minimalist in design, this modern garden in the Melbourne suburb of Malvern takes designing outdoor spaces, especially ones for entertaining, to an exciting new level. Designer Nathan Burkett of Nathan Burkett Design says the garden and surrounding hard landscaping features represent the ultimate in contemporary indoor-outdoor living. “When designing the project we set out to create a series of interesting layers that could be experienced visually from inside the house while maintaining a high level of functionality,” he says. The homeowners were also looking for a garden and entertaining space that was family-friendly, practical to use and sculptural in nature. To create a uniform look and feel within the spaces, Nathan opted for a combination of materials including sand-and-cement render, powdercoated steel and timber. The final outdoor design incorporates varying…

SUNLIGHT Most indoor plants love growing in a brightly lit room, away from direct sunlight. Plants growing in a position with less than their ideal level of light tend to develop yellow leaves and weak spindly growth. Direct sunlight can, however, burn some tender indoor plants. Adjust the position of your plants around the house and within rooms to give them their preferred amount of sunlight. TYPES OF POTS There’s such a fabulous range of attractive pots to choose from, including earthy terracotta, colourful ceramic, cost-effective plastic and lightweight fibreglass. To ensure good drainage, the pot should have adequate holes. Many decorative pots don’t have drainage holes and drilling into them can lead to the pots cracking and breaking. Instead, you can sit a plain plastic pot (which has drainage…

With cooler weather comes less gardening. That’s the age-old adage and it’s true to a point as many plants slow down, die back and drop leaves. The soil begins to go cold, too, which affects the growth of plants and surface conditions. Of course, there’s also the constant raking of leaves. In nature, deciduous leaves are broken down by soil organisms. The enzymes produced from this process create a layer of mulch that keeps the soil surface warm and open around the roots. Without these vital organisms, leaves won’t break down and often become hydrophobic, resulting in the soil becoming compacted, water repellent and unable to accept the spring rains. Based in the Garden City of Toowoomba, Queensland, Earthlife understands these issues and deals with deciduous leaf drop every winter.…

While the foliage may be the star of the show, your indoor plants’ accessories and containers are a crucial piece of the puzzle. There are just so many options of all shapes and sizes, from elegant cylinders to novelty planters and stylish options hanging down from above. And don’t forget your watering vessels ……

Indoor plants both filter and clean the air, removing toxins and pollutants, which is important both at home and at work, especially in new buildings. The World Health Organization has identified indoor air pollution as one of the biggest health risks to people in developed nations, and the average air quality in an Australian home is equivalent to standing next to a freeway in peak hour. For this project, focusing on an indoor garden — Round 3 Creative — at Juddy Roller Gallery Fitzroy, the AKAS Landscape Architecture team used a variety of plants, pots and found objects to give the space an indoor/outdoor jungle vibe. We went for an industrial look, taking inspiration from the warehouse the office occupies. Given the style and setting, we didn’t want this design…

Mint is a versatile herb to grow and it comes in myriad flavours, colours, sizes, shapes and textures. Many mints are edible but also have medicinal or health benefits and some yield essential oils. The best known is spearmint, used to make mint sauce or jelly as a traditional accompaniment to roast lamb. Though spearmint (Mentha spicata) is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to mint, it’s a great introduction to growing the herb. Spearmint grows as a groundcover and spreads via runners or stolons (underground stems). It produces short square stems of tasty green leaves, which grow through the warmest parts of the year but can die back completely in cold winter areas. In summer and autumn it may have long leafy stems with spires of…

FORM MEETS FUNCTION, FLAWLESSLY In the brutal Australian climate, some provision of shade is imperative, particularly during the summer months. But positioning a parasol in your garden, while a nice, flexible option, often leaves a cumbersome obstacle right in the way. Fear not, Kettal has been onto it, and come up with these genius design alternatives, incorporating a sunshade into such handy pieces as tables, planters or daybeds. Function and form have been given equal recognition in this update of the Meteo collection, a previous collaboration between Kettal and Berlin-based designer Konstantin Grcic. That such a gorgeous addition to your backyard could have such multi-tasking qualities will make anyone with a penchant for the practical smile, and the huge range of colour and material options available ensure you can select…

HOME AMONG THE GUM TREES A garden only full of natives with a waterwise focus was important to this relaxed property in Woolooware, which didn’t have irrigation. Many existing materials found onsite after an extensive home renovation were repurposed into the garden to reduce waste and costs. Large sandstone boulders create a functional retaining wall and ground the whole garden so plants can spill over. Decomposed gravel pathways wind through soft plantings of native grasses and groundcovers, leading up to a hidden firepit area. The neighbour’s large gum tree finishes off the picture and provides much welcome afternoon shade. figlandscapes.com.au RISING ROOFTOPS Terrace houses in the city don’t always have much space for gardens. This inner-Melbourne home was a labour of love and the reward was incredible views to the…

Step inside this warm and welcoming garden space, close to the hustle and bustle of the city, and stress and worry just seem to melt away. The owners recently renovated their home and wanted to create a calming outdoor haven with a mix of edible plants, native trees and grasses. Designer Katy Svalbe, from Svalbe & Co, says the rear yard was a sea of grass when she first laid eyes on this Sydney garden. “There was a landing strip of sandstone slabs down its centre and a majestic lemon-scented gum,” she recalls. “At its boundaries, new timber fences screamed ‘green me’.” And so she did. The garden is filled with textural plants that invite you to reach out and brush your fingers along them. Soft and inviting, the garden…

The homeowners of this home in Alexandria, New South Wales, wanted a space that brought the outside in and vice versa. They were keen to include native plant species, and wherever possible to minimise upkeep and bring wildlife to the space. Garden Life director Richard Unsworth and landscape designer Sargon Joseph were tasked with creating a vibrant and functional space for a growing family in this small, inner-city space. “Contemporary family living” is how the team at Garden Life describe the style of the space. By incorporating key elements into the courtyard, the team created a visual connection between the inside and outside spaces. A focal point of the space is the unique bench seat that also doubles as a built-in garden bed. The creation of this piece introduced an…

Creating an eco-friendly garden is important for each project designed by Andrew Beck, principal of Sustainable Garden Design Perth. His recent brainchild, a garden in Nedlands, Perth, reaches new heights of playful design. Spanning a generous 1800sqm close to the Swan River, this property is the family home of two doctors and their four children. The outdoor area, in keeping with the mid-century-inspired home, also incorporates circular islands of lawn delineated with FormBoss steel edging to create interesting geometric shapes, as well as a play space close to a non-pooling stream. The project was particularly challenging as a large majority of the stone existed on-site and needed to be carefully removed by hand and then reassembled like a jigsaw in its new organic form. As well as recycling the river…

Have you ever enjoyed cooking and dining with family and friends at a Korean BBQ restaurant, a Japanese Hibachi restaurant or relished a Swiss fondue? Tradtionally, most of us have had no choice but to head out to restaurants to enjoy this unique and hugely enjoyable experience. There’s no doubt about the appeal of chatting, cooking, having a drink and dining in a group. Well, guess what? This fun and delicious way of cooking and dining is now no longer limited to the occasional restaurant visit. The alfresQ infra e is the original, modern-day grilling and dining experience you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home. The alfresQ infra e four-seater system is perfect for apartment balconies where space is limited and the use of gas and charcoal…

As more and more of us look to bring the outside in, by way of houseplants and indoor greenery, another very similar trend has been gaining momentum in the background — indoor food growing, whether through hydroponics or alternative means. It’s not surprising — a process that combines the satisfaction of indoor plant success and eating what you grow is bound to prove popular. If you fancy having a go at producing your own salad indoors, there are quite a number of options on the market and, much like those potential leaves, it’s growing all the time. Ikea, for example, offers Krydda/Växer grow kits, a simple two-step system that involves starter plugs for seedlings in a nursery and sprout box, moving to a larger cultivation unit complete with LED light…

Quite easy to maintain, terrariums are calming to look at and you can spend time “gardening” in your terrarium whatever the weather and at any time of the day or night. Old fish tanks, vintage vases and recycled coffee jars can all create fantastic terrariums and there are also special bowls, pyramids, spheres, cloches and bell jars available for purchase that can be used as very Instagramworthy terrariums. First things first, position your terrarium in a brightly lit position that isn’t in direct light, as direct sun could burn the plants inside or make the terrarium too hot. Plants that are perfect for terrariums include spider plants, dwarf parlour palms, leafy hare’s foot and maidenhair ferns, English ivy, soft green mosses and colourful nerve plants (Fittonia spp). Choose the type…

PLASTIC WITH PURPOSE With one million plastic bottles purchased every minute, we all know about synthetic waste and its impact on the planet. So soft you wouldn’t dream they’re made from plastic bottles, Weaver Green has made use of this difficult-to-break-down but easy-to-recycle material to create a range of furnishings for inside or outside the home. Taking the durability and weatherproof features of plastic and combining with modern styles, you can fill your home with rugs, cushions and throws that feel good, look good and help the planet. The Medina Tangier rug is one of our favourites, perfect for an outdoor picnic or playing with the kids on the lawn. This tough rug draws inspiration from the traditional towns of northern Morocco with a beautiful monochrome pattern. weavergreen.com.au COOK YOUR…

UP THE WALL Indoor vertical garden systems are in plentiful supply and range from kit-form frames to which you attach individual pots to geotextile pockets that you fix directly to a wall. Wally Gro’s modular, felt-like wall planters are a great example of the latter. Ticking the sustainable box (they’re made from recycled plastic water bottles), Woolly Pocket planters can be used indoors or out and are available as a single pocket (Wally One), a three-pocket planter (Wally Three) and a five-pocket version (Wally Five). Soft-sided and breathable, each pocket has a built-in reservoir and is attached (using the supplied fasteners and anchors) to the solid, stable, sun-bathed wall of your choice. To keep the wall dry, each pocket has a “military grade” water barrier. Of course not all plants…

Melbourne-based plant guru, interior designer and architect Jason Chongue is the co-founder of The Plant Society. His passion for gardening, which began in childhood, resulted in a collection of rare, unusual plants from international and local growers. His expertise in all things indoor and outdoor plants has resulted in the growth of his business (currently four stores in Australia), book deals and media commentary. He spoke to Backyard about his passion, and took us on a tour of his own garden and foliage-filled home Jason’s well-documented indoor oasis is populated with more than 400 plants. “It’s a sprawling garden outside as well,” he says of his Abbotsford, NSW, home. “I spend an hour a day out in the garden, including tending to the indoor plants.” While he admits he doesn’t…

Indoor plants continue their exponential rise in popularity, as more people bring home boxes and boot-loads of plants to fill their interior spaces. Plants grown indoors have multiple benefits, including improving air quality, softening the hard lines of furniture and becoming design features in their own right, as well as bringing emotional and mental health benefits to their owners. Beginner gardeners may find the thought of caring for their first indoor plant quite daunting, or perhaps previous indoor plants have come and, heartbreakingly, gone. With a few simple tricks, however, beginners can find real success with growing plants inside and, before they know it, create their very own leafy oasis. Here’s how to get started. CHECK YOUR LIGHT LEVELS Most indoor plants prefer a brightly lit spot that’s protected from…

The clients of this Coogee home needed a repair, rebuild and an addition to their yard. They wanted better access to the garden terraces and the rear studio, which sits at the very top of the steep garden. They needed to repair and rebuild retaining walls to provide better safety, and they wanted to increase their privacy from neighbouring properties. Andrew Lane from CALDESIGN teamed up with The Other Side Landscapes to design and build a space that met the clients’ needs in a very innovative way. They began by ridding the property of invasive weeds and overhauled the plants. By selecting plantings in a subtropical style that focused on density, lushness and were also low maintenance, the space was instantly refreshed. The design of the garden set out the…

With such a huge range of plants to choose from, here are some leafy ideas for filling your various indoor spaces with options that fit like a glove. HUMID BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS Many plants that we love growing indoors have come from tropical and subtropical forests, so they’re ideally suited for growing in the most humid areas around our homes, which are usually in the kitchen and bathroom. Plants that love these steamy rooms include calatheas, moth orchids, anthuriums, kentia and parlour palms, syngoniums, maidenhair and hare’s foot ferns, peace lilies and spider plants. During dry weather or when indoor heating or cooling dries out the air, these plants will enjoy having their foliage regularly misted with water. LOW-LIGHT ROOMS Most indoor plants will do best in a room that…

One of the best all-rounder trees available in Australia is the stunning crepe myrtle. This gorgeous variety offers something for just about everyone. Crepe myrtle comes in all shapes and sizes, from bushes to small, medium and large trees. It also produces huge panicles of summer flowers in almost all colours. The crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia) is one of the most versatile and hardy plant varieties around. It has been long loved across Australia and does extremely well in cooler temperate zones as well as hotter and humid regions. A premier production nursery, Fleming’s Nurseries, is considered Australia’s number-one tree expert and has been a fan of the crepe myrtle for decades. “They are so hardy, so beautiful and so versatile — they really cannot be ignored,” says Fleming’s director Wes…

Nothing brings people together like food and flames. Now, Escea has found the perfect way to combine them both with the EP1350 Outdoor Fire Table. Inspired by the classic campfire, the Fire Table is made for gathering, sharing, cooking and marshmallow toasting. Whether you’re cooking for two, feeding the whole family, or hosting a tribe, the Fire Table offers a 360-degree social cooking experience that gets everyone involved. It’s a new twist on an old classic, only better, because Escea’s Vortex Firecore technology provides you with the warmth, ambience and flames of a campfire, without all the smoke. Barbecue season will be on us again before we know it, but alfresco cooking is always on the menu. The epic outdoor cooking fire, the Escea EK Fireplace Kitchen, is now available…

Since my own results with growing indoor and outdoor plants have been varied, I’m the first in line to take advice from experienced gardeners and professionals in landscaping and plants. A common nugget of advice I’ve been provided is to use liquid seaweed to both nourish and support my plants and also to rejuvenate limp, struggling ones. I’ve been using liquid seaweed on my indoor plants and balcony garden for the past two months and the results have definitely been fruitful. As a fertiliser, it has a lot of research to back up claims that it enhances vegetable crop yields, improves the flavour and quality of particular fruits and vegetables (peppers, corn and grapes), and also protects plants from pests and diseases. Liquid seaweed is organic and sustainably sourced —…

Foliage around the house can be calming, detoxifying and aesthetically pleasing, but an outbreak of insects indoors could make it all more effort than it’s worth. Taking certain precautions, however, can ensure you won’t need to worry about that problem arising. Landscape and permaculture designer and educator Narelle Happ teaches workshops on all aspects of gardening, from growing your own food, to native bush foods and indoor gardening. She says that the key way to avoid a battle of the bugs is to make sure you’re buying healthy plants in the first place. “A healthy plant potted into premium quality potting mix will start its life healthy,” she says, recommending you join a plant society that can help troubleshoot any problems when they arise. “Pests usually attack plants that are…