Rick Molino, Moonee ponds

Inner-city journey through time

The brief and challenges for this striking and very special garden created in Moonee Ponds is one many visitors will be able to identify with. Integrating the styling of two quite different architectural periods of late 1800s home and contemporary addition as well as responding to the proportions of a compact block – this garden now sits comfortably against the home and general streetscape through use of a natural and warm material palette, interesting and diverse planting scheme, together with an efficient and dynamic use of space that effortlessly serves the many functions required of contemporary family life.

In what has become common practice and sought in today’s architectural landscape by remodelling and expanding period homes with contemporary additions and modernist styling, it was important the garden’s design recognised and respected the two distinct styles of the c1890 original home and newly completed extension. The original double-fronted timber Victorian and Edwardian influenced home had most of its architectural features still intact, so it was important the garden closely celebrated the era and gently adapted its interpretation as you progressed towards the modern extension at rear. Majority of materials and plant species selected were classic staples from this period but tread the fine line of adding some more modernist tweaks.

The earthy tones of Endicott stone in a crazy paving format was an extensively considered and discussed selection for the driveway area and has now created an impressive, warm and friendly entry to the home which has also been repeated in the rear garden to create a tranquil secondary sitting area. Traditional Bluestone provides the balance for all other paved surfaces including the front garden’s main central pathway and formally addressing the period front verandah/home’s original entry as well as the newly created substitute main entry on side of property both detailed as slightly elevated ‘floating’ platforms incorporating the new modernist influence. Bluestone was additionally used in the rear garden to maintain a consistent language throughout the property, simple ‘stacked’ format framing the in-ground pool while organic-shaped steppers meander and lead you through the Kitchen Garden located directly adjacent to the home’s new entry foyer framed by an impressive large double-height glazing.

Plantings predominantly feature classic species generally seen in older English gardens typical of the home’s period as well as inspirations taken from the simplicity and calm of the more contemporary Japanese style. Shaped and structural forms of the pleached Bays, Cephalotaxus, Buxus spheres/pillars and dwarf Japanese Pines have given the garden the much needed formality and foundational framework core to the home’s origins, however have instead all been laid out in a more organic and juxtaposed format to additionally complement the recently adopted modern style. An abundance of lower to middle-storey grass and strappy foliages that move with the wind add a further degree of peacefulness given the degree of hard surfaces to soften which include Mondo grass, Liriope Muscari, Festuca and Miscanthus; while the overall varied plant collection of unusual and diverse species additionally strengthens its informality, warmth and enticement to explore.

Plants that enhance the garden’s interest include architectural-type foliages and plant forms of Bergenia, Ligularia, dwarf Papyrus, ‘cloud-pruned’ Buxus and a favourite of the designer Japanese dwarf Pine ‘Amber Gold’ that gradually changes colour from green to bright gold over Winter and then returns to green in Spring. The seasonal burst of flower was not forgotten and again further softens the scheme and gives another element of interest – a mound of white plumes cover the dwarf form of Viburnum Plicatum at front gate in early Spring, magnificent shades of blue Bearded Iris a little later, the simplicity of green flowering Euphorbia, while Summer boasts bunches of gold mini-flowered Achillea, mauve of Society Garlic and perfume of the Gardenias. A highlight that must be mentioned is the amazing canary-yellow coloured Autumn foliages of the fastigiate Ginkgo ‘Lemonlime Spire’ and its shrub form ‘Mariken’.

A sunny north-facing rear garden featuring an extensive range of hard surfaces desperately needed elements introduced to cool down and soften the space plus reduce glare. First port of call was greenery and shade – a small lawn was placed directly adjacent to the existing pool providing a functional and living floor surface that is non-reflective and helps lower temperature. Although challenging to introduce trees on a long slender outdoor strip already accommodating a pool and extensive roof eave, narrow upright species including pleached Bays and fastigiate forms of Ginkgo and Elaeocarpus were chosen to offer some elements of shade, cooling but also importantly give the garden a degree of scale, proportion and visual connection to the new two-storey addition. Being north facing it was also important to locate a tree closer to the western side of the garden which would then provide some afternoon shade – solution was to nestle a standardised Acer ‘Globosum’ between the pool and lawn which having a clear central trunk and raised canopy was high enough to walk and sit under giving some valuable shade that interestingly shifts as the day passes.

Other initiatives for cooling included using natural timbers to deck the main outdoor entertainment area creating an elevated large rectangular space that seamlessly connects to the internal floor level while also featuring cut-out garden beds to maximise plant life, a batten screen that runs along the eastern boundary framing the decking and returning at driveway with camouflaged gate to equally form a secured entry to rear garden, as well as a timber batten pool fence that enables the partially enclosed pool area to adequately breathe versus using solid glass panels with their added glare.

Family Function

Aside from design aesthetics and other practicalities that needed to be addressed, more importantly the garden needed to fulfil the many functions a young family requires it to. The front garden now features a landscape that appropriately respects the home with a warm and inviting entry but also suitably serves functions of adequate driveway space and well defined paths and entries. For the rear garden, the once challenging compact and linear allotment of space now features a series of interconnecting dining, entertaining and restful spaces including an in-ground pool and Kitchen Garden that all harmoniously work together each offering a place for the family’s many activities and occasions. The renovated home’s higher internal floor level was also creatively embraced in the design and through the use of varying levels and contrasting mediums it now neatly defines each space and lead one’s eye through the garden with a sense of drama and intrigue.

Additionally noted in the initial brief was that a working young family can sometimes be limited to see and appreciate their garden during the day. In such, the creative and strategic use of garden lighting now highlights its main features and invites to be enjoyed at night making the garden sparkle particularly on those late arrivals home from work. Being the first thing seen upon entry and exit, this garden now provides the family with an uplifting serenity at any point in the day.

Design, Softscapes and Maintenance – Rick Molino Garden Design