The project
This landscaping project was for a new home in the beautiful suburb of Ferndale, Randburg. The garden space had been left untouched by the developer, and was filled with weeds and veld grass. Our client’s requirements included a low-maintenance lawn-less solution, with indigenous trees, shrubs and perennials, and practical use of the entire garden space. A koi pond was also to be added to the garden.
The design
We began by working on a design that would incorporate all of our client’s requirements, whilst still keeping to our personal style of a wildlife-friendly, indigenous garden. After some initial concepts and adjustments we came up with a layout that incorporated a large firepit/seating area on the upper tier of the garden, a koi pond on the lower tier, and steps and pathways to make both tiers accessible. Indigenous planting (without lawn) would surround the various spaces, whilst lighting would add ambience to the space in the evenings.
The installation
We began by removing an old and rusted outdoor fireplace alongside the house, and replacing this with paving and a cladded retaining wall. This freed up the area for additonal landscaping elements, and increased the sense of space in the garden. The retaining wall was bedded up with Dietes bicolor and Arctotis hybrids, whilst new, modern-style paving was structured to ensure that in the event of heavy rain, water would drain away from the home and living areas.
The Koi pond was then added with the rocks and waterfalls which provided the primary divide between the lower and upper sections of the garden. Rocks were cemented in place and positioned in such a way as to allow ample rockery space for low-maintenance plants, whilst the pump and filter were hidden behind the main entrance wall.
To reach the top section of the garden, steps and a retaining wall were built, and these were planted up on the sides with low-maintenance indigenous shrubs, including Strelitzia reginae, Freylinia tropica (Blue Honeybell Bush), Agapanthus praecox (‘Nana’ white) and Clivia Miniata in the shaded section. A paved walkway continued on from the steps and this led to a sunken braai pit and seating area which provided a welcoming entertainment space. Again drainage for heavy rain was taken into account to ensure correct movement of water in this area. Finally, lighting was added to the boundary walls, steps, circular seating area and pathway, and a garden spotlight was added to illuminate the Fever tree at night.
The plants
Indigenous trees planted in the upper garden included Heteropyxis natalensis (Lavender tree), Buddleja saligna (False olive), Polygala myrtifolia (September bush), and Pittosporum viridiflorum (Cheesewood), whilst a beautiful Acacia (=Vachellia) xanthophloea (Fever Tree) was added to the middle of the garden, away from the walls and paving. Smaller shrubs included Cassinopsis ilicifolia (Lemon thorn), Strelitzia reginae and Leonotis leonorus which when flowering should attract sunbirds to the garden. Low growing plants included Tulbaghia violacea ‘Silver Lace’, Felicia amelloides, Hermannia saccifera, Dymondia margaretae and Arctotis hybrids, whilst Aloe ‘Lemon Drops’ was added to the rockery above the pond.
The Completed Garden
The result is a modern and practical garden solution that attracts the local birdlife and adds value to the home. Grounded Landscaping has had the pleasure of returning to this garden on an annual basis for minor maintenance tasks, and it is a pleasure to visit the space and see how the garden grows and improves. We are certain it will be a tranquil retreat for many years to come.
In the media
This garden has been featured in the following media:
