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Ideas for Qld gardens
Places to get garden ideas
Whether you want to to follow one of the trends above or develop something different, where can you get more ideas regarding layout, which plants to use etc?
Check out:
- TV programs
- Books and Magazines (if you're on a budget, try your local library. If you live in Brisbnae, check out the Brisbane City Council Library in the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Garden, which specialises in horticultural topics)
- local parks and gardens
- Travel brochures
Of course, there's a huge amount on imformation on the internet. This is probably most useful if you already have a good idea about the types of styles you're interested in, but it might be harder if you don't know where to begin.
Need just a little help?
If you'd like to improve your garden but need more inspiration, the editor of this website is re-introducing a low-cost personal email-based "Garden Ideas Service" for Queensland residents, offering easy, low-cost garden makeover ideas.
Or, perhaps you're beginner gardener and would just like someone to offer ideas and suggestions while you're getting started? Something that's more flexible, more convenient and more personal than classes.
Garden Ideas Service
$330 from 1st July 2008
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This service is intended to be cheaper than a garden design and to improve your gardening knowledge as you go. Tailored to your own current garden situation, experience level, tastes, lifestyle and location. Emphasis on plant selection and ideas for improving the garden on a budget (including working with what you already have).
Additionally, this service could provide (depending on your individual needs):
- Extra information not yet available on the website
- Places to buy plants and other supplies, saving you time, money and stress hunting down materials
- Suggestions for further reading and other resources
Regions covered: At present, this service is intended primarily for residents of Queensland. Residents of other Australian regions may also take advantage of this opportunity, but it may not be possible to be as specific about plant species, or the list of suppliers as comprehensive.
What's involved?
1. Get in touch by phone or email: Indicate your town or suburb and a give a brief description of your current garden, future goals etc. Some preliminary discussion may help determine the nature of your situation and whether this service could help you. If you're accepted, and if you choose to proceed, you'll be asked for payment before further work is undertaken. However, there's no obligation involved in making an enquiry, so don't hesitate to get in touch if you're interested.
2. Payment: You can pay by cheque or money order to the address below. Direct bank deposit details available on request. Sorry, but credit cards cannot be accepted at this time. Prices include GST. ABN 38 518 961 623
3. Developing the ideas: After you're accepted and your payment is received, you'll be contacted again for more information about your garden situation. This may be a phone interview and/or email questionnaire. You may email some photographs of your garden if you wish. Each project is given a high degree of individual attention.
4. What will you get? Each situation is different, but after discussions with you and research if necessary, you can expect a report in HTML format that you can view like a website on your computer, or print out if you prefer. This may take weeks or months depending on the complexity of the project, plus ongoing correspondance for up to one year.
Terms and Conditions
Identifying a supplier or any source of information does not imply recommendation or endorsement by Calyx Horticultural Services. Identified products or services are the responsibility of the suppliers. Likewise, accuracy of content is the resposibility of the authors of any identified publication such as books or websites.
Calyx Horticultural Services is not responsible for how any idea or other information supplied is used by client(s). This is not an advice nor a design service.
The upfront fee is not refundable if the client fails to supply information or otherwise cooperate as requested, such that the project cannot be concluded satisfactorily within one year of receipt of payment.
It is up to you and/or your contractor(s) to determine the applicability, feasibility, safety and legality of any plant, product or service in your location. Please seek professional advice or consult with the relevant authorities where appropriate.
Intellectual property rights over original content, including the original component of lists and other compliations, is retained by Calyx Horticultural Services. Any such content, modified or unmodified, may be resold or republished elsewhere by Calyx Horticultural Services, but may not be sold or reproduced by the client.
General Calyx Horticultural Services Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy also apply. To view, click here
Why fix up the garden?
- Beautiful gardens say "class" - what impression are you trying to make?
- Improve the environment, attract wildlife
- Provide food or flowers for the house
- Develop shade or privacy, or enhance views
- It could add value to your property, and/or make it easier to sell
- Enhance your use and enjoyment of your property while you live there
- Develop a hobby that enhances your life in more ways than one
It won't be practical to achieve all of these in the average suburban block, but it could be possible to achieve (at least partly) several of these objectives, depending on your priorities. It costs money to buy and maintain a property - why not make the most of it? While you can spend a lot of money landscaping, it is possible to get results on a budget, even very fast and dramatic results. For example, by the introduction of new plants or rejuvenation and grooming of the plants you already have, or by taking advantage of "borrowed views".
Small Gardens
The trend towards smaller gardens means we have to make the most of what we have. This presents special challenges and requires as much, if not more, planning as larger gardens.
Some typical issues to consider are: How can we make the most of what is already there? What plants give good "value" for the space they occupy? What plants can withstand the existing conditions? What if the only space available is full of tree roots?
Special Occasions
If you're planning a special event in the near future, priorities and timescale will probably differ from developing your garden for the long term. Such events might include a DIY wedding, family renunion or even selling the house.
Weeding, trimming and general tidying, fixing safety issues, watering and fertilising will likely be more important than new plantings. It's risky to try to coordinate flowering with a special event, given what can go wrong. It may be better concentrate on greening the lawn, trimming hedges and providing a lovely green setting for your party, then bringing in last-minute potted colour, floral arrangements or non-living decorations (lights, balloons, ribbons, even fake plants) for additional flourishes. Then, whatever is in flower in the garden is an added bonus.
In the case of a house sale, lots of annuals, roses or anything perceived as high-maintenance might be a disadvantage, but a good foundation of healthy and appropriate trees and shrubs that compliments the home could give you the "edge". In some cases, removal of plants could be more advantageous than adding more, in much the same way as a house is decluttered.
Questionnaire
Following are some constraints/requirements that you may need to consider when planning your garden.
Main objectives:
Is the garden in the house you live in, or for a rental property you own?
If your own garden, do you own the property, or are you renting?
How long to anticipate staying there?
Stated simply, what are your first, second and third priorities for the garden space in question?(more on this below)
Style considerations
Do you already have a general style or theme in mind?
What is the style of the house?
What is general character of neighbourhood?
Exisiting Garden
General Climate
- tropical, subtropical temperate etc)
- rainfall
Topography (steep, flat, natural, cut and fill, drainage)
Soil type
How much space is available
How close is the house (and neighbours' houses)
Microclimate (Frosty, cold, windy, sunny spots etc)
Previous use of land
Potentialy useful plants on site
Other useful materials on site
Special features (rocks, views, etc)
Utilities affecting area (below ground and overhead):
Gas
Electricity
Sewerage
Water
Storm water
Septic, absortion trenches
Communications
Locations of taps
Location of meters
Other Restrictions
Zoning (present, future)
Heritage Listing
Easement, Rights of Way
Protection orders on trees
Watering available
Rainfall only?
Supplementary water?
Source of supplementary water
Construction and Maintenance
Will it be constructed professionally or DIY?
Budget
Time limit, urgency
Maintenance
Time
Experience
Pysical ability
DIY or hired help
Garden users
Resident family or target buyer
Adults
Children/future children & ages
Regular visitors (friends, clients)
Disabilities, special needs
Views, privacy
From property - to enhance
From property - to screen
From street - to enhance
From street - to screen
Other privacy/security concerns
Other Screens required
Wind
Noise
Light
Pollution
Animals
Wildlife
Pets
Unwanted animals
Vehicle access
Turning area for car
Additional parking - family/visitors
Parking of bikes, other equipment
Entertaining
Outdoor areas
Parking
Home Business
Visibility, access
Impressions
Parking
Lifestyle Hobbies, Activities, Interests
Sports, games
Play equipment
Crafts
Wildlife, nature
Favourite colours
Other interests
Relaxation
Hammock
Garden seat
Lawn
Meditation area
Practicalities
Rubbish bins (storing, moving)
Propagation area
Clothesline
Shed / storage
Compost bins
Worms, animals
Can you think of others?
Your first, second and third priority
If I were to ask you if you wanted a garden with flowers, fruit, fragrance, colour, privacy, space for the kids to play and an entertainment area, your answer might be "Yes!".
While it might be possible to incorporate several of these elements into a garden area, in a typical suburban setting, it will not be possible to do all and make it worthwhile.
For example, a cramped entertainment area that can't accommodate a typical family gathering will be a waste of money and a space that might have been better devoted to giving the kids a decent play area. How often do you actually have parties, anyway?
If you don't have a lot of experience and not a lot of spare time to spend gardening, having a picture-book garden with masses of flowers throughout the year will be unrealistic. You can probably incorporate some flowering shrubs, however.
Focus your thinking by listing your top priority, followed by your second and third priorities, in order of importance. For example:
Priority number #1: screening the ugly house next door
Priority number #2: cottage-style garden
Priority number #3: attracting birds
Current and emerging fashions, and a few predictions
June, 2008
Modern (Drought tolerant):
The housing trend with lots of hard surfaces and minimalist decoration has coincided with ever-increasing water restrictions. Luckily, many of the yuccas, agaves and other drought-tolerant feature plants flooding the market suit these modern housing styles. However, this could get very predictable. Spiky succulents will surely lose their novely value (if they haven't already). New planting ideas that are more interesting yet complementary of modern architecture might be in order. Australian natives selected for good shape and colour may help to fill this need.
Tropical:
Colourful tropical gardens have become very fashionable over the last few years. While we may see more implementation of ideas based on other regional styles and less of the "Balinese", interest in resort-style gardens is bound to continue if economic forces and world instability drive homeowners to spend more time entertaining and holidaying at home. Unless the water supply problem improves dramatically, explore the more drought tolerant alternatives.
Edibles:
2008 has seen a vegetable gardening rennaissance, at at the time of writing (June 2008) shows no sign of stopping. This reflects a global trend. While ecological and health concerns has stimulated interest in veggie growing overseas, especially organic options, it wouldn't be suprising if this isn't overtaken by economic necessity abroad and in Australia. Yet again, water is an issue, and a big one when it comes to producing crops. Unfortunately, gardeners may have to spend money on water tanks and other water saving devices before they can start saving money on DIY food production.
Outdoor Living:
A strong trend overseas has been the installation of elaborate outdoor kitchens, dining and relaxation areas. While this isn't exactly a new concept for Queenslanders, we aren't used to seeing our patios and decks so luxuriously appointed. With the swimming pools and spas which are common in Qld backyards, these accessories are great companions to tropical gardens, creating a something like a island holiday resort at home. However, why not incorporate an indulgent outdoor living area into a Mediterranean, Moroccan, Australian native or outback country style garden if that's your version of paradise?
The Cottage Garden:
The old-fashioned, flowery gardens with an English/European influence have been somewhat out of fashion recently. However given the surge of interest in edibles, and a greater focus on home and family, it would not be suprising to see a revival of interest in the cottage garden. Apart from the nostalgic appeal, fruit trees, herbs and veggies can be readily blended into a cottage garden. And irregardless of what trendy designers might be pushing at any given time, does the appeal of flowers ever really go away?
General Issues:
Water and money, or rather the lack of water and money, may be key influences looking forward. Even where water is plentiful, inadequate infrastructure and rising populations mean that water restrictions in some form will probably be a fact of life for most Queenslanders for a long time. So the need for suitable plants will continue. The environment, which has also had a lot of attention recently, may fall down the priority list somewhat as economic stress hits closer to home. Belt-tightening may mean some of the more expensive garden developments on homeowners' wish-lists may need to be put on hold. However, we may see a greater recognition of the rewards that some investment in the garden can bring, whether that's grow your owning food or improving a property to improve its chances of selling. Some people who were anticpating upgrading their homes may have to stay put and make the most of what they already have.
If you want to keep up with news from the world of plants and gardens, with and emphasis on Qld, visit www.queenslandgardening.com.
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