Landscape architecture by Bethany Williamson, Bethany Williamson Landscape Architechture (BWLA)
Two different garden areas have been developed for this standout property located in Hawthorn, Victoria. They have been designed in such a way that compliments and softens the chosen colour palette and modern design features of the house.
There were two garden spaces to work with and two clear intentions for the feel of each of them – the homeowners wanted their garden to welcome neighbours into the space while also being balanced out by having a more private area, providing a refuge from the busy world.
The Brief
The architectural features of the house command your focus, so the gardens needed to garner their own appeal and interest. Feature plantings that had a diverse range of texture, colour and foliage would ultimately add a sense of softness to the overall visual appeal of the dwelling.
The surrounding properties on this street all feature high fences and gates, closing their homes off from passersby. These homeowners desired the opposite for their house. The street facing front garden was to be designed in a way that neighbours and friends would feel welcome to stop, chat and admire this garden while walking past.
In contrast, the rear garden (a pool area) would be fashioned as an area for privacy, where the homeowners could retreat in private, either hosting friends and family or relaxing in solitude.
The Transformation
The development of the front garden features included having no lawn, fencing or gates – creating that sought after feel of an invitation for neighbours to visit their garden. Oversized floating concrete steps were incorporated with the intention of complimenting the grand scale of the house, and to encourage visitors to take a moment to appreciate the diverse foliage, textures and colours on display as you move through this part of the garden.
The design contrasts the surrounding enclosed properties and beckons those passing by to pause and appreciate its plantings and distinctive features. Given the homeowners’ passion for gardening, you’ll often find them here, tending to their garden and ready for a chat!
At the back of the property, in the rear garden, lies the stunning pool area and is a garden that you just want to spend as much time as possible in. It provides privacy and a calm atmosphere that is a stark contrast from the front garden’s purpose. Thoughtfully designed, the plantings on display here balance the house’s scale and structures. This area is ideal for the owners to unwind and entertain guests.
The original site had a slight slope to it, which called for a large site cut and clever design solutions to install retaining walls. Along with the front garden, this area has showcase plantings, including the draping climbers that hang from the pergola and contrast beautifully with the grey and black tones of the house. This green curtain, along with the red hues of the Cercis ‘Forest Pansy’ (Eastern Redbud), soften the colour scheme of the home. The foliage that spills over the edges of the paving is another notable planting feature in this space.
The Result
Several years post-development, the garden has matured and the plantings are thriving – as was intended and meticulously planned for by BWLA. The overall design balances functionality with aesthetics, creating an inviting front garden and a thoughtfully retained rear garden. The blend of textures, foliage and colours used across both areas enhance and blend seamlessly with the design of the house.
Key Plant List
“We love to choose plants with a softness to their form and foliage to contrast against strong lines of a house. For the tree in the front garden, we chose the Snow Pear (Pyrus nivalis) as they have a nice upright shape, rounded form and the leaves are a silvery green, so they glisten against the grey Bluestone cladding. These provide height to soften the corners of the house. Some other plants we chose to soften the house include grasses that move in the breeze, perennials and shrubs with a naturally mounding form, and plants with a soft leaf.” — Bethany Williamson
The plant palette in the front garden consisted of a mix of clipped plants contrasted with softer grasses and perennials. These include:
- Pyrus nivalis (Snow Pear)
- Prunus lusitanica (Portuguese laurel)
- Buxus microphylla var japonica (Japanese Buxus)
- Plectranthus argentatus (Silver Spurflower)
- Achillea ‘Antique Parchment’ (Yarrow)
- Agastache ‘Blue Boa’ (Hummingbird Mint)
- Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ (Feather Reed Grass)
- Lomandra ‘Tanika’ (Spiney-head Mat Rush)
- Verbena bonariensis (Purpletop Vervain)
- Zoysia tenuifolia (Japanese Velvet Grass).
The plant palette in the rear garden consisted of:
- Cercis ‘Forest Pansy’ (Eastern Redbud)
- Prunus lusitanica (Portuguese laurel)
- Buxus microphylla var japonica (Japanese Buxus)
- Plectranthus ‘Nico’ (Sweedish Ivy)
- Arthropodium ‘Matapouri Bay’ (NZ Rock Lily)
- Zoysia tenuifolia (Japanese Velvet Grass)
- Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper).
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