Site Specifics
This innovative garden design project centred around the concept of a Japanese garden to bring a worn, overgrown garden back to life. The garden renovation took place in an established landscape that our clients had been adding to over the years.
However, it had recently become too difficult for them to manage, with worn fences, overgrown planting beds, and broken paving and therefore needed a complete remodel.
Client Brief
Our client expressed a desire for a complete change in direction with her garden design and already had some specific ideas for us to work with. She loved the concept of a Japanese Garden, but desired an ultra-modern approach to this theme to make maintenance easier and simpler throughout the year.
This would prove to be quite a challenging task for our garden designers, as the concepts of Japanese garden design and contemporary garden design do not typically go hand in hand. However, as this was what our client desired, we knew we would deliver.
Design Solution
After much consideration, the finished garden uses elements from both modern and oriental inspiration to ensure a cohesive balance between the two.
The client had already purchased some oriental ornaments to embellish the finished garden, and these structures were incorporated seamlessly into the design to provide the aesthetic of a traditional Japanese garden, while allowing the majority of the space to be low-maintenance and modern through hard landscaping. These elements included a large garden mural and an oriental-inspired wooden bridge.
To ensure this modern Japanese garden would be low-maintenance for our client, we focused mainly on hard landscaping elements, using a combination of tile, quarry stones, porcelian paving and composite fencing to replace the damaged, worn structures that previously existed.
The design featured raised tile-clad planting beds to allow for easier planting and maintenance, a dry river bed to complement the Japanese garden design, and hidden drainage. Design elements include a small water feature, a full lighting scheme, and oriental plants such as bonsais and Japanese maples.
4th Dimension
The garden has been developing beautifully since we completed the renovation, with many of the plants – such as the azaleas – maturing well. The landscaping is also weathering well, and the garden still looks as fresh as it did when we first completed it in 2021.
Our client said, “4 years on, the garden is looking as beautiful as ever and requires minimal maintenance, which was the goal at the start of the project. The porcelain floor tiles just need a gentle jet wash each spring, and the hedge a biannual trim. The plants have now filled out grown and there are additional pots containing red geraniums that match the red of the bridge and Torii towers. We have nice sunny seating areas with various tables and chairs. Everyone who sees it admires the garden greatly. We still love it.”
