Gardens

LUSH INSPIRATION FOR OUTDOOR SPACES

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A red-hued palette is a drawcard for the owners of this much-loved garden in Sydney's east – but the mosquitoes are less than impressed.

Custom sunloungers, Smithmade. Limestone coping and surrounds, and Blue Moon pool mosaics, Barefoot Living. Concrete render pool surround by Rockcote. Plantings include Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare), bugle weed (Ajuga reptans), Beschorneria yuccoides, Plectranthus argentatus 'Silver Shield', purple torch (Bartlettina sordida) and Indian hawthorn (Rhapholepis 'Snow Maiden').

OPPOSITE Hardy trailing plants, such as Plectranthus (both Plectranthus coleoides 'Variegata' and Plectranthus argentatus 'Silver Shield'), tumble over a wall of reclaimed sandstone in this multi-layered garden. Australian violet (Viola hederacea) flows between sawn sandstone steppers. The Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense) in the foreground was a favourite of the owner's that she insisted had to be retained. This lush, multi-layered garden in Sydney's east is a peaceful paradise for its lucky owners. With a pool and sauna fringed in colourful foliage, it's their everyday go-to, either for entertaining, play or simply unwinding. But mozzies no longer share the buzz, thanks to its landscape designer, Luke Baldwin of Formed Gardens.

“I was sceptical when Luke told me that was achievable, but, after a summer with lots of rain, I can say he was right,” says owner David, who lives here with wife Nicole and their two children, a son, 13, and daughter, 11.