Here on the Peninsula you’re never that far from the whistle of the sea breeze as the landscape slowly idles its way into beach. As it is often, our task in Portsea was to design a space that connected back to nature. What was truly unique with this project was the stunning example of Modernist architecture we were fortunate enough to be working with.

Our plan was focused around connecting the garden closely to the borrowed landscape and letting the existing Moonah trees set the scene with their strong sculptural shape. Areas of lawn have been designed with restraint to freely allow one’s eye to rest amongst the architecture. The use of grass trees work in harmony to create architectural planting while the softer foliage and grasses such as Austrostipa create warmth.

Large poured concrete steppers guide you through a courtyard setting, where structural planting of Agaves and Echinocactus sit alongside the softer backdrops of Westringia and Callistemon. Aulux, Luecodendron and Mimetes add pops of warm tones, while the carpet of Baby’s Tears lets the eye rest once again.

The rear garden sees the co-mingling of native and exotic plant-life. Agave Americana and a mix of green and blue hues from the Correa and Euphorbia with bursts of warmer tones such as Austrostipa, Bronze Phormium and Dwarf Banksia. All planted out with meticulous care by our horticulture team.

The result is a garden that you want to escape to. It begs you to open the door and wander outside to be at one with nature. It’s a garden that’s close to the owners’ hearts. We look forward to watching it grow and maintaining this beautiful environment for years to come.