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








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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

http://tinyurl.com/6ntnkfu

Call The Butchart Gardens 
for a Landscaping Consultation 


James Butchart 
Phone: 0408 264 964

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

http://tinyurl.com/6ntnkfu

Find out more about the Architects

mcgregorcoxall.com

Ballast Point

This week we are working in the harbourside suburb of Ballast Point.

The house dates back to the 1860s 

and is brimming with relics of long ago Sydney.

This area was all concrete (more 1960s than 1860s).

The house takes up the majority of the available land, 

folks were less inclined towards outdoor entertaining in those days.

It's a tight space to work in, although Lulu doesn't seem too bothered.

Brick saw, chisel and a respirator mask 

to guard against toxic concrete dust. 

Once the old terracotta pipes have been replaced

 the paving will commence

Stay tuned for a progress report next week...

Loving this rainy summer

Sure, there haven't been many beach days this summer, 

but Sydney's gardens are loving the rain.

Plants like Frangipani (Plumeria actuifolia), and Magnolia "Little Gem" (Magnolia grandiflora) love to get wet, while the hardy Cordyline "Red Sensation" can cope with a variety of conditions. Grey leaf Lomandra (Lomandra confertifolia) provides a border for the back lawn.

At the front of the property, Agave (Agave attenuata), succulents that adore a humid environment, are bordered by purple leaved dwarf Flax (Phormium tenax "Elphin"), coastal rosemary (Westringia fruiticosa "Zena") and Cordyline.

A young Sydney Red Gum (Angophora costata) will provide 

colour and shade to a height of 15-20 metres at maturity. 

The border hedge of purple leaved Hop Bush (Dodonea viscosa) continues along the entire boundary, providing a thick screen at the side of the house.

The two Frangipani will provide shade and scent during the summer, while the dwarf Lillypilly (Syzigium "Hinterland Gold") will screen the fence 

with a lush, 3 metre tall hedge 

for privacy and an additional layer of green.

Kristen Martin, Landscape Architect

The Butchart Gardens, Landscaping

For a garden consultation

Contact

James Butchart

0408 264 964

james@butchartgardens.com.au