Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jan 18, 2012 9:58 am Hi there We've been in our new home for around a year and a half and I loathe the garden we've created. It's just not me, and it's just too much to maintain alone, as my other half hates gardening. We have a fairly large property, and have a 6 month old puppy that we need to keep in mind when planting. The garden we've planted could be described as an Australian cottage garden, with timber garden beds and lots of colour, and although it seemed like a great idea at the time, I've always wanted a resort style garden, green and lush, Balinese style. I just don't know where to start. I know it seems ridiculous to start all over again after I've already put in so much work, but I want a garden I can enjoy. I have been researching tropical style plants that are drought and frost tolerant, but before I get too ahead of myself, what can I use for garden borders in place of the timber ones we currently have? The only item in the garden that I actually do like, is my Jacaranda tree and exposed aggregate concrete. Hoping someone can offer a few tips on what materials I can use that would be suitable for my soon to be renovated garden beds. Thank you Re: Wanting a lush resort style garden in Melbourne... 2Jan 18, 2012 3:34 pm I have a garden that's green all year round in Werribee without any watering for the last four years. I'm not sure if you would call it resort style but you can have a look at some photos on my Blog here: http://www.anewhouse.com.au/?page_id=5146 Its based on a dry river bed running through the garden with bridges over it. Like all Gardens its not maintenance free as I have to keep the weeds under control but I certainly don't have to bother mowing lawns. For the edges of the Tuscan Topping path I've just used rocks set into the soil. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Wanting a lush resort style garden in Melbourne... 3Apr 12, 2012 10:54 am hmm your link doesnt seem to work anymore bashworth. So Pristine Diva, were you able to find out hot to go about building a tropical garden in Melbourne? as I too love the Balinese look and was really hoping to do something similar for the garden at my new house. Re: Wanting a lush resort style garden in Melbourne... 4Apr 12, 2012 11:03 am I'm in Adelaide and also hoping to create this look when we do the back garden. I have already bought some xanadu (they are low growing and we had them at our previous house), I have a phoenix robellinii (might need some more), a couple of kentia palms and will look at getting some palms with some height -maybe cocos or similar. I have also bought a couple of hibiscus cos I love them and they flower for such a long time. Cannas are very good to add colour to a tropical garden and agapanthus are no trouble at all for edges. Phillodendrom selloum are really good too for filling up spaces. We used to water with drip irrigation for an hour about once a week in the warmer months and everything did really well. The jacaranda should look great with this selection. Prep your soil, put your plants in, mulch well and let the dog have fun playing underneath the plants. Let us know how you get on .... For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Wanting a lush resort style garden in Melbourne... 5Apr 14, 2012 8:37 pm Resort-style is what we've done, and it's going very nicely two years on. You can trawl through my blog for some photos, or check out the threads I have here. I'll go find some links in a tick... We planted quite a lot of cannas, which have lush foliage, although they do die back in winter. We also have clumps of bamboo Alphonse Karr, and tiger grass. I added Lomandra varieties, and have Nandina and Scleranthus in one area, which give a bit of an oriental effect. My "jungle" in the back corner has a Magnolia Litte Gem as shade and shelter from frost for the plants underneath, which include some ornamental gingers, a birds nest fern, and a potted cycad as a feature. Strelizias and agaves are pretty hardy and add to the lush effect. Some bamboo and timber screens, a water feature, lighting and a Buddha sculpture, along with our timber outdoor dining setting and a recycled teak daybed are the finishing touches. Re: Wanting a lush resort style garden in Melbourne... 6Apr 14, 2012 8:47 pm My main landscaping thread: http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=29727&hilit=the+transformation+is+done Some additional projects: http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=31647&hilit=weekend+projects And a few photos: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Wanting a lush resort style garden in Melbourne... 7Apr 14, 2012 8:50 pm There are more links and photos here too: http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=36624&p=537970&hilit=tropical+melbourne#p537970 The Dulux colour consultants are awesome. If you show them the photos they should be able to figure it out for you straight away 1 1603 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. 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