Brimming with plants native to Central America, Southern Africa and the Mediterranean, and designed with a distinctly Moroccan flavour, it’s hard to believe this exotic garden lies in the inner suburbs of Sydney. The lush sanctuary was once a tired and under-used space sandwiched between a traditional house and garage. Looking to transform it into “a functional haven of outdoor living and lifestyle”, the owners contacted landscape designer Adam Robinson.
“They wanted the space to be broken up into zones to maximise functional use and be able to enjoy little moments in different areas, chasing the shade around the movement of the sun,” says Adam. To that end, he cleverly sectioned the ordinary rectangular yard into segments by using a variety of paving patterns and plant groupings that worked around existing palms.
The new layout includes a dining zone, seating for relaxing, a barbecue on a cantilevered bench and a water feature. “We incorporated elements like fountains, lush greenery, vibrant colours and intricate patterns, marrying the ethos of tradition with contemporary flair,” says Adam.
Working with a site drenched in sun at different times of the day, Adam selected plants accordingly. The strappy foliage of Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana) creates “a sense of ceiling and enclosure, providing movement and
dappled shade,” says Adam.
Plant list
TREES: Mediterranean Cyprus (Cupressus sempervirens)
SHRUBS: Euphorbia hypericifolia ‘Diamond Frost’ Mexican fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus) Purple torch (Bartlettina sordida)
SUCCULENTS/CACTI: Dragon tree (Dracaena draco) Euphorbia (Euphorbia ingens)
PALMS: Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)
In the north-western corner, a mature potted olive tree adds a Mediterranean note that’s echoed in the Cyprus pencil pines (Cupressus sempervirens), with clusters of Euphorbia hypericifolia ‘Diamond Frost’ at their base. A dragon tree (Dracaena draco) acts as a partition, cocooning a seating zone with the Kentia palms and a backdrop of euphorbia cacti (Euphorbia ingens) and purple torch (Bartlettina sordida).
But the showstopping centrepiece of the garden is an arch-framed fountain, finished in handmade glazed jadetone tiles with a detailed lace pattern. “The central water feature is a quintessential Moroccan garden element, evoking a sense of coolness and tranquillity,” he says.
Adam’s tips for small gardens
- Create zones for cooking, dining and lounging or, if space is really limited, plan out a multi-use area.
- Comfort is key in space and seating. If there is no room for a separate lounging area, choose dining chairs with backs and cushioned seating to encourage guests to linger.
- Resist overcrowding with furniture so your guests can move around without feeling confined. Providing shade is important, too.
- Bring in height in smaller gardens. A palm, such as a Kentia palm or Dwarf date palm, is brilliant to add height minus the width.
- Play with materiality and texture to introduce drama. These help define areas and add visual impact
