Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Feb 11, 2010 9:58 pm Just seeking some advice, we will be building in croydon, vic. soon and wondering whether or not a tropical style garden is possible at all. The plants do not have to be of a tropical nature, but at least give that type of feel. The garden will be in a northen and western sitting, with some grass areas located close to the house (as we have 2 young kids). We would also like to put in a water feature, any suggestions, pics or websites that people recommend would be kindly accepted. Oh and any reputable landscape designers that people know of in melb.? ,Cheers neil and kylie. Re: tropical garden in melbourne 2Feb 12, 2010 7:23 am Absolutely! Tropical-style is exactly what I'm doing, at least for part of our garden. I'm sure I've posted some links here somewhere...
Our landscapers start work next Wednesday, so in about four weeks' time we'll have all the hard landscaping completed and I'll be looking at plant selections and getting my hands dirty. I've done a fair bit of research on this, and there's a huge range of plants available that will give you that tropical look without having to spend all your time fussing over them because they don't suit our climate. Don't do what my neighbours have done and plant gingers in the middle of your front garden, in full sun... Have a look at these articles: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s2549459.htm http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/factsheets/Gardening-Styles-and-Feature/Cool-Climate-Tropical-Makeover/2944 http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s829802.htm We're adding a bit of Balinese influence, so I'll be using some of these ideas too: http://www.calyx.com.au/Balinese_Garden.html I don't know how much room you have, but we're tight for space, so big trees are out. I need to screen out neighbours, have something to look at other than the fence, and provide some shade, so one thing I'll be using is bamboo. There are a few clumping varieties suited to our climate. I fancy the Timor Black...(bit exxy though ): http://mrbamboo.com.au/species/1-clumping-bamboo.html Some other plants I think I'll be using include: Canna lilies - tough as old boots, but they look very tropical The foliage comes in different colours, from green to red too. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Alpinias (in the shade): Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Cycads: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ New Zealand rock lily: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Giant bird of paradise (probably the smaller, orange-flowered ones too): Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Some other planned purchases: Nandina, cordyline australis (I have three beaut variegated ones ), star jasmine, murraya, scleranthus, yuccas, agave attenuata. Lots more, can't think of them off the top of my head though. I also have a couple of more delicate plants - a gorgeous tropical cordyline among them - that will live in pots in our al fresco room, sheltered from frost and blazing sun. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I'm still thinking about a small palm. At this stage, a Japanese maple is more likely. Once we have some shade established, I'll add some new plants. Cliveas and hellebores are on the list....I know those do well, I grew them for years in our old garden. That lot should get you started on some research for your own garden. Re: tropical garden in melbourne 3Feb 12, 2010 8:04 am These were some ideas I got from an online article (I'm sure it was the Melbourne zoo one, but I don't see these listed now ). Good thing I saved it: Sparmannia africana African Hemp Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Poorman’s rhododendron Impatiens sodenii has single white or lilac flowers during autumn and the foliage is lush and exotic, but it does not like frost. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Plectranthus ecklonii Blue Spur flower gives wonderful colour at eye level with panicles of purple flowers. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Asian Bell Flower or China Doll Radermachera sinica is generally grown as an indoor plant, but large trees in this area allow for it to be successfully grown outdoors. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Tetrapanax papyrifer is another plant this is good for creating a quick canopy. It is commonly called the Ricepaper plant because the pith from its stems is made into a fine paper. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Luculia grandifolia, which grows wild in the foothills of the Himalayas, can be grown successfully in cooler areas where there is little chance of severe frosts. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ginger lilies are typically tropical plants, with large leaves and flamboyant red flowers. Hedychium greenei Red Ginger is native to Bhutan and grows to about 1.8 m. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Umbrella Bamboo Fargesia murieliae is a clump forming bamboo from China, so is more restrained than some other forms. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: tropical garden in melbourne 4Feb 12, 2010 9:04 pm Thanks for that information much appreciated. Our back yard will be 6.7m width by 18 length on west side and 36m length by 5.4m width on north side. Would the plants you suggested go well in those aspects, or can it get to hot for them? Oh and what would usually be a rough budget to work on do you think for such a garden size. We will have to get the landscaper to do Thanks for your info very much appreciated. Re: tropical garden in melbourne 5Feb 12, 2010 9:47 pm Some need shade and/or shelter from frost or possibly protection from strong winds. Your best bet is to look at where they grow naturally. If they typically grow under trees, then you can be pretty sure that they prefer a bit of shelter. Cannas will do OK in the open, cycads are reasonably hardy too. If you don't have any existing trees, or trees on neighbouring land that casts some shade, you have a few choices: - Plant advanced trees. Expensive.... - Plant some reasonably fast growing trees and shrubs and wait till they're big enough to offer protection before planting anything that's a bit delicate. Meanwhile use plants that don't mind exposure to the elements. - Provide some structural shade. If you plan to build a pergola, gazebo, screens etc, get them in and use the shade they offer to shelter your plants. We'll be putting in the plants that will survive easily, and adding more later as we gain a bit of shade. As for budget, you can spend $5,000 or $50,000.... it will depend on what materials you need, whether you use advanced plants, tube stock or something in between as well as how much work you want to do yourself. Hard landscaping is usually the bulk of your $$ - paving, decking, walls and any structures, but you'll also pay for a good design. And not forgetting soil prep.... Your best bet is to work out basically what you want to include and get quotes from a few landscapers. Then you can add or subtract things to line up with your budget. Re: tropical garden in melbourne 6Feb 13, 2010 1:16 pm kek, be warned on the size of the Strelitzia nichollii. Just a massive plant! I laugh when I see them planted along pools and mass planted in small urban landscapes in glossy magazines because the leaves are so big and the sizes when sold are just right for what people want. The smaller ones are better. many traditional plants sold as indoor plants are worth a go as well. We call them indoor plants because in Europe that is the only place they can grow. Here in Aus is so different. Where many people go wrong is not creating that roof to the garden landscape. In the tropics the feel is no more about cover as it is about green leafy plants. Big palms that throw out over you but also if you actually look at a tropical garden the real feature is trees, not palms. Even in the Northern tropics all the plants people choose are all understory plants. You just won't have that garden with out a canopy. This is what protects them. I see so so many people saying i want a tropical garden and they want this plant and that plant. hey it's tropical looking. Well it isn't because of the one major thing. A lack of protection in the form of a tree. The tree is the master of the garden. Under it you will get the desired effect. Start looking at trees and strategically placing them in the garden space to create shade and protection. You don't need a tropical tree to get that feel either so Magnolia Little Gem or Kay Paris is an excellent start. Even traditional European deciduous trees will be a good choice. Well designed and placed shade sails would be an artificial version and alternative but they need to be incorporated into the garden spaces as well as decking or paved or even lawn areas. Lawns are also some thing that don't generally feature in a good tropical looking garden. It's all about dense plantings, rich rich soils, cover protection. Incorporate hedges to hide the fence. Doesn't matter about what you choose because you want a look not a particular plant. You need green. you don't want to have a fence with some palmy looking things. Very dense plantings will do it. Re: tropical garden in melbourne 7Feb 13, 2010 2:08 pm Fu Manchu kek, be warned on the size of the Strelitzia nichollii. Just a massive plant! I laugh when I see them planted along pools and mass planted in small urban landscapes in glossy magazines because the leaves are so big and the sizes when sold are just right for what people want. Oh, I know Fu.... don't worry, I've seen mature ones and I realise they're monsters. I have ONE of these and it's going where we actually have a bit of space. Then I'll add some of the smaller ones too. What you say about tropical gardens is exactly what I'm aiming to achieve - that layered effect, with plants of varying heights and the tall shrubs/small trees providing shelter for the lower storeys. If I only had more room, I could go nuts. Re: tropical garden in melbourne 8Feb 13, 2010 3:06 pm You can go nuts with no room It is doable, very doable In fact the results can be better still Re: tropical garden in melbourne 9Feb 13, 2010 11:09 pm Top information, have taken all on board and will chat with a few landscape designers. Must agree we dont like the look so much of the tall palms, so the magnolias and decidious trees are a great idea. I guess where trying to create a contemporary take on the tropical look not keeping strictly to any uniform or standard idea. Will keep you posted how we are fairing with our thoughts and ideas. Oh and have you any ideas where you can purchase budha statues, lanterns that type thing without it being outrageously expensive . Cheers neil and kylie Re: tropical garden in melbourne 10Feb 14, 2010 12:20 am don't forget the simple and very cheap additions of basil and chillis everywhere. Ads a very tropical feel very easily and extremely cheap Don't plant trees on your fence line but out from there. Make use of raised beds where possible around the boundaries. Select from a range of colourful foliage plants, Bromeliads and of course the classic indoor plants I have already suggested. Use more central raised beds for the trees so as to create a canopy that will reach out to the boundary of the yard and nearer the home. Small trees are ideal and the Flemmings web page will be fine for a browse. Just expect the selections to go average the first few years or at best the first year, then settle and come away well. Looking into 5 years time a wonderful space will start coming together Re: tropical garden in melbourne 11Feb 14, 2010 10:37 am neil Oh and have you any ideas where you can purchase budha statues, lanterns that type thing without it being outrageously expensive Lots of places - try Target for a start....you never know what you might find there. Also shops like Loot or Raging Earth if there's one near you. Some of those junky $2 type shops have some amazing things if you're prepared to look past the hideous crap they cram in everywhere. Plus have a look online for Bali decor - there are some direct to public outlets around, or even online stores. And eBay is always a chance. Nurseries and the like usually have some, but the prices may not be exactly cheap. I'm getting my lanterns from a place in Thomastown, they have a shipment of outdoor stuff coming in later this month. Re: tropical garden in melbourne 12Feb 14, 2010 10:53 am http://www.offeringsonline.com.au/welcome/page1.php http://www.hartofbali.com/ http://www.calyx.com.au/Balinese_Garden.html#suppliers http://www.tropicalliving.com.au/ http://www.balimystique.com.au/store/Default.asp http://wayansbalihuts.com/Stone.html http://www.loot.com.au/ http://shop.ebay.com.au/i.html?_nkw=balinese+statues&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1311&_sop=12&_odkw=buddha+stone&_osacat=0 Re: tropical garden in melbourne 13Feb 15, 2010 12:21 am Remember you need to be waterwise as well. Melbourne is predicted to have a Mediterranean climate in the near future with many suggesting of it now. You don't want to be having to find this out in 5 years time. Re: tropical garden in melbourne 14Feb 15, 2010 9:26 am I am a tree lover... BIG TIME!! But, I think palm tree have their place too... A well balance garden will have a bit of everything. And I have to say, I like the look of palm trees peeking out on top of my trees. My garden is still young, 3 years to be exact. We started 5 acres from nothing literally... so yes, first thing is first for tropical garden... canopy. I have a little bit now that our trees are bigger. Unfortunately in Melbourne, things will grow much slower than up here. Just make sure you have patient... don't be tempted to plant shade stuff too early. Unlike all the gardening makeovers, you can't have garden in one night (well, nice and balanced garden anyway). It will take time, patience, and love to achieve the look that you want. Even then, you will want to change things and move things. There is a lot of trial and error you have to do. Another thing... like most of my friends in Melbourne with tropical plants. Get a water tank and choose your plants wisely. It can be done, if you are smart... Have fun!! I know I am... Regards, Ari Ari & Scott Darwin, NT Re: tropical garden in melbourne 16Aug 31, 2012 9:58 am Quote: good thread. Yeah +1 here too. I love tropical gardens but realise they do take a lot of water to make them look good - hence our proposed 25,000 litre water tank. Stewie Re: tropical garden in melbourne 17Aug 31, 2012 10:37 am I’m trying to create a tropical look garden and landscape as well. So have I have done a lot of work building a retainer wall, 6x7 deck, box seats and a bali hut. I will post some pics up once it’ all finished. I must say that I am having a hard time trying to work out which plants to use in Melbourne. Fig Landscapes has produced an e-book and native plant index, available for purchase from their website. It's a great resource, full of inspiration and tips. Another… 1 9166 Our Bondi Greenwall was impressive from day one with advanced lush plants to provide a wow factor to this recently renovated living area. The boundary was less than 1… 0 522 |