Tropical Splendour

aBoVe A magnificent water feature, divided into a series of reflective pools, runs the length of the living area. The gently moving water creates a wonderful ambience, while lighting in the evening adds a sense of drama to the entertainment area.

oPPoSITe ToP RIGHT The boundary wall adjacent to the gazebo runs at an angle to the home. This is squared off with a planting area filled with Strelitzia nicolaii, Phormium tenax ‘variegata’, Cyathea australis and Livistona chinensis palms.

oPPoSITe BoTToM RIGHT A beautiful earthen vessel creates a strong focal point at the end of the swimming pool. Lush, textured greenery (Rhapis excelsa and Cyperus alternifolius) transports one to an exotic tropical island.

Client brief A low-maintenance, tropical garden to suit the Balinese-style interior décor.

The clients have three teenage boys who live at home.

The first glimpse of the garden is through the full-length, clear-glass doors leading off the

kitchen. ‘Floating’ sandstone pavers beckon one over the reflective pond, flanked by erect

canes of black-stemmed bamboo, Phytostachys nigra, to the raised Balinese-style gazebo.

A generous steel-blue swimming pool sits below the gazebo, adjoining an expanse of lawn.

Very much a family home, the clients’ three

teenage boys make constant use of the lawn and the

swimming pool with their friends.

The all-green garden is filled with lush, textured

tropical plants and an exotic water feature in front

of the house that complements the Balinese-style

interior of the home.

BeLoW The imposing water feature graces the narrow area running along the front of the home. A low hedge of Murraya exotica creates a sill beneath the windows. Each window in the home frames a spectacular picture of the garden.

oPPoSITe ToP RIGHT Water flows over three rills into the top pool opposite the elegant entertainment area. The key element of this garden is the magnificent water feature that runs the length of

the house. It is broken into different chambers, creating three distinct reflective pools. Water

flows into the main pool over three rills set into the boundary wall. Large, Eastern, slow-

baked clay urns punctuate the design.

Each of the chambers is filled with koi, goldfish, and a mix of strappy water plants to

break the horizontal plane. The water acoustics calm the sound of traffic, which is especially

important when the clients entertain.

A boundary wall acts as a backdrop to this feature. To enhance this stretch of wall, Jan

designed two recesses that showcase the bulbous clay urns. This entire section of wall is

embedded with siltstone in warm, earthy tones.

Lighting transforms the garden into a magical space in the evening.

aBoVe LeFT Carefully placed lighting either highlights or throws into silhouette the many varied textures and structures in this tropical paradise.