When the client moved into this overgrown and neglected property in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, their vision was clear: create a striking garden with strong street presence, improved light, and functional off-street parking. The site offered great potential but required substantial rethinking to open the landscape, invite sunlight into the front yard, and enhance access throughout the steeply sloped block.
A Design Shaped by Elevation and Movement
The natural elevation of the home meant steps would be a defining feature of the landscape design. Instead of disguising the grade change, the design embraces it—celebrating movement through a series of landings, small sitting areas, and gentle directional shifts that guide visitors through the garden. This thoughtful choreography of levels transforms a challenging slope into a beautifully functional circulation experience.
Design Style
A modern cold-climate garden that integrates mature trees with generous perennial plantings, creating a layered, textural landscape that feels both established and vibrant.
Key Features
Major structural retaining works using reinforced concrete and block walls faced in feature brick chosen to complement the era of the home. These walls required significant earthworks, engineered footings, redirection of services (water, gas, and power), and meticulous safety management around tree protection zones.
A sculptural stone cairn, crafted by an in-house stonemason using ironstone unearthed during excavation, providing vertical interest within the cobbled sitting area.
Custom Art Deco–inspired steel fencing and gates, hand-welded by a local artisan and powder-coated black. Designed specifically for dog safety and the steep driveway, the gates incorporate a clever hinged flap system that allows inward swing without compromising the grade or aesthetics.
A sunken rear outdoor room, paved and walled in brick, offering a sheltered entertaining space. Constructed through the painstaking hand-removal of more than 20 tonnes of rock and soil due to restricted access, this area also features integrated wicking beds for herbs and vegetables.
Lighting & Atmosphere
Australian-made low-voltage lighting is embedded into front steps, cobbled areas, driveway entry piers, and key feature trees. This unobtrusive, functional lighting plan enhances safety while showcasing the garden’s structure and evening ambience.
Planting Design
The planting palette celebrates cool-climate structure and seasonal interest, blending feature specimens with herbaceous perennials:
Structural & Feature Plants: Acer ‘Dissectum’, Kurume azaleas, camellias, daphne, begonias, maples, and bulb plantings.
Screening: Juniperus ‘Spartan’ along the side boundary, underplanted with prostrate rosemary.
Feature Topiary: Juniperus ‘Keteleeri’ at the front gate.
Groundcovers & Textural Interest: Scleranthus around the stone cairn, complemented by scattered astilbe.
The designers supplied and installed major feature trees and anchor plantings, while the client gradually introduced her own selection of herbaceous perennials—a collaborative approach that brought personality and flexibility into the garden.
Tall fescue turf was selected for its resilience and ability to maintain colour through winter. All trees were staked and tied upon planting, beds were mulched with 100mm of well-rotted leaf mulch, and Osmocote slow-release fertiliser was applied to support strong establishment. As each garden bed reached completion, careful hand-irrigation twice daily ensured healthy root development.
Hardscaping
Paving: Artisan Exterior Carbon Granite pavers define steps, terraces, and tiled areas, complemented by carbon cobblestones in the front courtyard for contrasting texture.
Tiles were installed directly onto 100mm reinforced slabs, with precise layout planning to align with both sub-bases and architectural elements.
Walling: Structural core-filled block walls faced with single-skin brick deliver stability while maintaining aesthetic continuity with the home.
Custom Fencing & Gates: Restored original Art Deco handrail and bespoke new steelwork echoing the home’s heritage details. Every element—from panel design to core-drilled posts—was custom-fabricated and dry-fitted before installation.
Decking: The “day lounge” deck is constructed on a galvanised steel frame for long-term durability, given the low airflow and potential moisture. Merbau boards (140mm x 19mm) were triple-sealed and weathered prior to installation to prevent tannin bleed. Integrated drainage ties into the retaining wall system, ensuring the area remains dry and usable.
Entertaining Features
A bespoke Zen water feature anchors the outdoor gathering space, paired with a custom hardwood bench that creates a tranquil and welcoming setting for relaxation and socialising.
