LOCAL LEGENDS

The best gardens — those that have enduring appeal and look as if they were meant to be — sit in harmony with the environment that surrounds them. They have a sense of place and look as if they evolved naturally rather than being contrived by man (or woman). Plants that are naturally adapted to the climate and location will not only thrive, they’ll give a garden a real feeling of belonging, and this is where native or indigenous plants step in.

Australia has an incredibly rich palette of native plants from which to draw, making it much easier than many people realise to create a variety of garden styles. A native garden does not have to be a bushland-style garden; it could be tropical or coastal, modern or formal, cottage-style