water wise, easy care, environmentally sensitive plants, gardens and outdoor spaces

the natural evolution

Climate and lifestyle changes have brought about new ways of thinking about and planning our gardens.  Water wise, easy care gardens are experiencing a growing appeal for both their contemporary and stylish appearance and their ability to cope with increasingly extreme environmental conditions, smaller living spaces and a busy modern lifestyle.

With less reliable rainfall patterns and a reduction in availability of public water supply there has come a distinctive shift in public awareness that acknowledges the necessity to use plants that are able to cope with our climatic conditions.  We’ve arrived at a new style of gardening that creates a distinctive, Australian style of garden using our indigenous plants.  There has also been a push to find better ways of conserving, storing and re-using water in the garden, and to more economical watering systems that target water where it is needed. For example, we understand that organic mulches assist in reduction of water evaporation and weed suppression. 

key elements of a water wise, easy care garden

• appropriate planning + garden design that understands user needs and site features and conditions
• soil analysis + improvement
• appropriate site preparation
• reduced use of chemicals and fertilisers
• appropriate plant selection for suitability to your area
• choose water wise, drought, frost and fire tolerant plants
• best practice planting techniques using water crystals
• practical and minimal, drought tolerant grassed areas
• increased use of lawn substitutes including native grasslands, permeable paving, mulched areas, paths and native gardens
• reduction in use of hard surfaces
• use of paving where you walk, stand or sit (permeable options that allow water penetration)
• increased use of surface materials that don’t reflect and absorb heat 
• increased use of shade
• creation of cool zones and mini oasis
• increased use of decorative pots and potted gardens
• integration of productive plants for food supply
• efficient watering + irrigation so plants receive water when and where they need it
• on site rain water harvesting, storm water and grey water re-use
• use of water saving practices, design principles and technologies
• mulching to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• appropriate maintenance
• an appreciation that climatic conditions will get tougher in future