Here is the initial concept plan for a front garden and street verge project that Eco Aesthetics is currently  involved in.  The concept plan is generally the first design plan a client will receive, and the aim is to show the main design ideas with suggested planting, hardscapes and structure.

This property has a beautiful semi-mature Eucalyptus street tree out the front which is a real feature of the entrance. However currently the front garden and verge consists of patchy grass, weeds, bare sand and limestone block edging.

All the plants recommended for this design are hardy natives, many endemic to WA which means they have a good chance of surviving!  The larger shrubs such as Grevillea, Banksia and Beaufortia will provide some privacy to the front bedroom and also help bring some wildlife into the street front with their bright flowers.

The verge will be planted in ground-covers  (no more than 40cm high) to ensure good visibility to the road and footpath; and with the objective for this property to have NO grass, the groundcovers will form an easy care, visually attractive frontage.  The use of a mixture of grey leaved plants such as Eremophila and dark green textured leaves of Banksia blechnifolia it will provide contrast and visual appeal, with a bold pattern ‘readable’ from the street.

This plan also shows the general circulation pattern of gravel and flagstone pathways to allow the owners to walk amongst the native ground covers and shrubs.  Until the plants mature and achieve full coverage a layer of pinebark mulch will ensure that as much moisture is retained in the soil as possible.  It will also aid in slowly adding organic matter into the predominantly sandy soil as it decomposes over time.

This is a great example of a waterwise verge conversion which will enhance this property’s street appeal significantly.