Thursday, December 20, 2012

Sri Lanka - Bawa

By far, the highlight of 2012 was a three week trip to Sri Lanka.

Travelling around this tiny island is done on Sri Lanka time - slowly!  Luckily, time was something we had plenty of.  We spent several unforgettable hours at Geoffrey Bawa's stunning landscaped estate - Lununganga, near Bentota in the South East of the country.

There are no words to describe this heavenly garden of earthly delights.

Let the pictures tell the story......








































































Geoffrey Bawa
1919 - 2003

Read more.....






Saturday, June 16, 2012

It's not the size that counts...





It goes without saying that the houses in the inner west are often small. 
It also goes without saying that the gardens may match in size... 
but they deliver in spades.



This west-facing front yard features Magnolia Grandiflora 
var. Little Gem, underplanted with Lomandra tanika, a sturdy grass.  







The magnolia will grow to a height of 3 metres, providing shade 
and those lovely trademark rust coloured leaves.





After pulling up the ubiquitous Leichhardt Concrete, we laid bluestone pavers from EcoConcepts, embedded in 5mm Nepean River pebble.



Lomandra tanika features again at the back of the house, 
framing freshly laid Sir Walter Buffalo turf. 






The gorgeous sandstone wall is reclaimed dimension stone.



Budding Lillypilly (Syzygium paniculatum dwarf variety) has been planted in raised garden beds along the back and side fence.




The plants in full sun are already in bloom.






Come spring, this garden will be a lovely place for relaxing and entertaining.










For a consultation with the Butchart Gardens

Contact James Butchart


0408 264 964

or email
tbgarden@bigpond.net.au








Follow us on Twitter
@GardensButchart














Monday, April 2, 2012

Industrial Suburbia #2


Ballast Point Park is one of those place where the more you explore, 
the more treasures you find.





Where concrete frames the city skyline,


And the sky is captured in all its phases.



Where secret pathways meander alongside the harbour,




And recycled seatbelts provide shade.



Where twisted metal skeletons are left exposed to the elements,



And rusted declarations of love are forever.





Visit Ballast Point Park in Sydney's inner west




Call The Butchart Gardens 
for a Landscaping Consultation 


James Butchart 
Phone: 0408 264 964







Monday, March 19, 2012

Industrial suburbia #1

Ballast Point Park is a quintessential Sydney experience.






Designed in 2009, by landscape architects McGregor Coxall, for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, the park is a transformed industrial wasteland.







Over multiple levels, there are echos of the former oil refinery site. 



The planting consists of local natives from seeds collected in the area.






Fallen concrete slabs breach the refinery walls, 
forming narrow gates and walkways. 



This is reclaimed land at it's best, and all with a glorious view of the Harbour.




Yep, we LIKE Ballast Point Park, and there's still loads of exploring to do...


Stay tuned for Industrial Suburbia #2 



Visit Ballast Point Park


Find out more about the Architects