Owners of a new home in southwest Melbourne hired Nathan Burkett, a garden designer, to create a garden that appears decades old.
Design brief and guiding concept
The brief called for an established-looking garden that softened the house’s strong linear form without feeling overly formal.
Perennials and ornamental grass were placed around the pool to add movement and reduce the angularity of the sand-toned brick structure.
“We wanted it to feel like it had always been there,” the couple, parents of two teenagers, explained. They noted how the space shifts from poolside to balcony views.
Plant selection and seasonal character
Burkett completed the planting scheme in six months. He chose sun-loving, wind-hardy species that change colour and texture through the seasons.
Ficus hedging and mature Olive ‘Frantoio’ trees provide a structural backbone. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, purpletop vervain, white gaura, and Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ grasses supply softer contrast.
Raised beds feature clipped Buxus spheres, foxglove, and slender silver birch. These add vertical interest and height.
Dense mid-level plantings line the property’s edges to maintain privacy without blocking views. This creates a sense of enclosure while preserving sightlines.
Hardscape integration and functional zones
Hard-wearing, slip-resistant materials link the interior to the exterior. Sand-toned bricks, spotted gum decking, and light paving echo the home’s palette.
The garden is organized into interconnected zones. These include an entertaining precinct with an outdoor kitchen, brick fireplace, pool, lawns, and a tennis court. Quieter courtyards and raised balconies are also featured.
“More intimate spaces are positioned along the sides of the home,” Burkett said. He highlighted how scale and enclosure shift to give each area a distinct feel.
Strategic planting, changing scale, and subtle enclosure allow the garden to feel cohesive. Each space remains unique.
Border plantings and homeowner response
Along the perimeter, large Miscanthus grass clumps, silver-leaf lamb’s ear, and neat Buxus spheres create a sanctuary that frames the property.
The homeowners say they “couldn’t be happier” with the result. It balances contrasting elements into a harmonious whole.
The project team included Nathan Burkett Environment Architecture for design, Fields for construction, Coolabah for pool work, and NTF Architecture for the home’s architecture.
