Who says native gardens can’t be modern and beautiful?
This stunning garden was installed with a whole lot of TLC and a strong focus on high-quality soil preparation, reticulation, careful plant selection, and getting the foundations of the job right.
The result? A garden that is thriving years later—a true testament to doing things properly from the start.
Main Materials Used
Corten Steel Edging
150mm rusted Corten steel edging was installed to define the garden beds and create flowing, organic curves. This not only looks beautiful but provides a clear border to run the whipper snipper against for lawn maintenance. The defined edges make the space feel structured while still feeling soft and natural.
Soil Mixes
We used a combination of high-quality soil blends from The Green Life Soil Co.
- For the garden beds: Native Soil Mix, ideal for native plant health and water retention.
- For the lawns: Premium Lawn Mix to support strong root development and healthy turf.
A large volume of soil was brought in to raise levels, shape the space, and provide the perfect growing conditions.
Reticulation (Irrigation System)
This was an extensive, high-quality irrigation installation.
- The system runs off a clean bore, and we began by conducting an accurate pressure and flow test to ensure the right pipe sizing and solenoid selection.
- • We used 40mm mainline pipe for strength and high flow capacity.
- • A pressure relief valve and filter were installed to protect the system and ensure consistent performance.
Sprinklers Used:
- Lawns: Waterwise MP Rotating Nozzles, chosen for their wind-resistant, heavy droplets—perfect for sloped areas and full coverage.
- Garden Beds: A mix of MP Rotators and high-quality drip irrigation to suit the plant types and root zones.
We ensured every inch of garden and lawn was covered appropriately.
Lawn
We installed Sir Walter Soft Leaf Buffalo, well-compacted for long-term performance. This variety was chosen for its softness underfoot, drought tolerance, and ability to handle partial shade.
Garden Bed Mulches
We used two different types:
- Main Garden Beds: Green Life Soil Co. 3-Way Composting Mulch—a blend of compost, manure, and mulch that improves soil health while still looking great.
- Other Areas: Compacted Cracked Pea Gravel, shaped to look neat and hold the space aesthetically.
Plants
The plant palette featured mostly native species, selected to suit the local climate and soil conditions, including the high pH limestone-rich soil. A few carefully chosen exotics were added for contrast and interest.
Site Challenges & Solutions
- The property sits on a natural slope with no retaining walls, so careful shaping with edging, gravel, and natural materials was essential.
- All solutions were executed with long-term stability and aesthetics in mind, ensuring the garden looked natural but remained functional and well-structured.
Final Outcome
The garden is absolutely thriving years on. The owners are still in love with their space, and we’re proud to say we regularly return to see how well it’s matured. A true modern native garden—done right from the ground up.
