Queen Of Hearts Rejoice in roses

“The proportions were all wrong,” says Sophie of the site’s original layout. “The placement of the pool fence meant there was a huge area of lawn around the pool and a small patch of garden.” By moving the pool fence closer to the pool, Sophie achieved a better sense of balance. A glass fence was the best solution in this case, allowing for clear sightlines from the rear of the house. Some of the lilly pilly hedge was removed to help enhance the sense of openness and the rest was clipped to a neat boundary border. Sophie also refurbished the pool, replacing the old coping with travertine tiles and adding spotted gum decking. “This maximised the useability of the pool area,” says Sophie. The centre of the garden is now a level area of lawn (Sir Walter Buffalo) edged with hydrangeas. A new custom-made shed, painted a deep charcoal, also sits in this space.

The original central steps were only 1.2 metres wide, which looked disproportionately narrow, so they were widened to 3.2 metres, tiled with travertine pavers and edged in sandstone to echo the original landscaping materials in the garden. The new stairs have become an important axis point in the layout: they line up with french doors at the rear of the home, and form the central point for the new paved alfresco area, providing “symmetry of the built elements and a sense of formality,” says Sophie. Beside the steps is a pair of white-flowering crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia natchez), underplanted with box and gardenias.

For the alfresco area Sophie replaced the worn synthetic lawn with a pretty paved area, 5.7 metres by 5.7 metres, that flows directly off the rear of the house. The paving is laid in a diagonal diamond pattern, using 610mm x 610mm travertine tiles and featuring kidney weed (Dichondra repens) growing between the tiles. At the corners of the paving are white pots filled with red geraniums. The effect is eye-catchng and beckoning: the perfect space for outdoor dining.

The result of Sophie’s ‘rearranging’ is a neat, eye-pleasing garden for all seasons. “There are now three distinct zones that are all nicely proportioned, without one being more dominant than the other,” says Sophie. “There is now a nice flow down the site.” #

Think Outside Gardens, Paddington, NSW; thinkoutsidegardens.com.au.

TOP Red geraniums in white pots fulfil the owner’s wish for the presence of traditional flowers and add zing to the paved patio. LEFT Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’) underplanted with Japanese box and gardenias in front of a boundary hedge of Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’.

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Draw 397 closes 8pm (AEST) 27 July 2022 | Drawn 10am AEST 3 August 2022

RSL Art Union Draw AU397L conducted by Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) ABN 79 902 601 713 of ANZAC House, 283 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, under licence numbers: QLD: 29819, ACT: R22/00033, VIC: 10100/22, NSW: GOCAU/2332, SA: M14197. Drawn at ANZAC House. Proceeds are for the purpose of veteran welfare and support in Australia. Prize value $5,608,117. The total number of tickets available for AU397L is 6,366,000 which may include a maximum of 1,645,484 bonus tickets. Entrants must be 18 years or over. Winners notifed by registered mail. Results published at www.rslartunion.com.au/winners on 03/08/22. Cheque, money order and credit card payments must be received by 27/07/22 to be entered into Draw AU397L. If an order is received after this date or if the draw is sold out, the order will be automatically entered into the next draw, Draw AU398L. Some items shown in pictures are for display purposes only. Selling costs and market variations apply when selling gold bullion. Travel is in the form of a voucher, is not redeemable for cash and must be booked directly with our selected supplier, subject to their terms and conditions. Information correct at time of printing. Terms and conditions apply, refer to www.rslartunion.com.au.