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Three distinct vertical gardens now playfully punctuate the area, addressing unique microclimates and design ideas. Starting at the brick wall, Beck stacked gutter-like copper vessels along its face, coated with waterproof pond sealer, using pre-drilled holes and galvanized dynabolts; The oxidized copper is colorful and complements the red brick. A vibrant array of shade-loving foliage plants fills the planters, thriving in this protected, shady area.
by sustainable garden design perth
Plants here include Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’, variegated Bromeliads, Sedum ‘Gold Mound’, Chlorophytum comosum (nonvariegated form), Rhoeo spathacea and Muehlenbeckia complexa.

Of the nonedible plants used in the garden, Beck focused on using at least 50 percent natives. “We should educate ourselves to love the aesthetic of our local species and learn to plant them creatively,” he says. "I will always try one new plant on every job to try to acquaint myself with new species."
by sustainable garden design perth
The second vertical garden doubles as a privacy screen for an outdoor shower. Copper vessels reappear, suspended by a custom-made structure of threaded rods and bolts and curved circular fence posts.

Water drains between each tier through small drilled holes. "It is essential that you test the effectiveness of the drainage in relation to how frequently the irrigation is set to go on to avoid root rot," says Beck.

An opaque corrugated backing shields the shower and filters sun like a greenhouse wall, says Beck.
by sustainable garden design perth
A sunnier and more exposed portion of the garden required an alternative plant palette. Tough, hardy succulents, including blue chalk sticks, Jelly Bean sedums and Crassula erosula, fill these planters.
by sustainable garden design perth
A hanging pebble garden rounds out this vertical garden series and introduces another class of plants: climbing vines and trailing succulents. The structure is an aesthetic statement, a visual screen and an inventive trellis.

Railroad ties, suspended river pebbles and terrazzo bowls form unusual but appealing garden pendulums that move slowly and subtly in the garden breeze. “It creates a surreal sense of rocks hanging in midair,” says Beck.
by sustainable garden design perth
The suspended terrazzo bowls are planters as well as water features. The soothing sound of running water adds another experiential layer to the garden and welcomes birds to bathe and drink.
by sustainable garden design perth
Vines grow along the structure, including an ornamental grape for seasonal color and a native wisteria (Hardenbergia comptoniana) for year-round color and screening.

The suspended bowls are filled with trailing lotus (Lotus berthelotii) and String of Bananas (Senecio radicans).

Beneath the screen a mixture of native sedges (Lepidosperma gladiatum and Lepidosperma longitudinale), cardboard palm and decorative potato vine blanket the ground along with ground covers, including native violet, wide-leafed Myoporum parvifolium and silver dichondra.
by sustainable garden design perth
Edibles have ample space in the garden by design, enabling fresh produce year-round.
by sustainable garden design perth
While the vertical gardens showcase Beck’s innovative approach to the native Australian garden, the hardscape and pavers refer to his time spent admiring the minimalism and simplicity of Japanese garden design. Hexagonal concrete pavers imprinted with original organic forms are accompanied by plain round pavers.
by sustainable garden design perth
A second path diverges from organic shapes and patterns, having irregularly placed granite rectangular pavers instead. While both paths appear sparse right now, ground covers will fill in the empty spaces, balancing and softening their edges.

Granite, limestone, copper, railroad ties and glacial riverstones reappear throughout the project, tying the hardscape together.

“I am very attached to this garden, because it contains many surprising and hidden elements that would never be imagined when entering the house," says Beck. "The beautiful thing about the clients' response to the garden renovation was how they developed a passion for gardening, and how they are now out in the garden frequently and continue to manicure the garden lovingly on a daily basis."
by sustainable garden design perth
"I still think the most beautiful thing about landscape design as an art form is that a garden never stays the same," he adds. "In fact it is constantly changing, and we can only control it to a point, and it does the rest for itself."
by sustainable garden design perth

Comments

Ajithaa I love these ideas. So creative and original.
4 months ago · ·
aeykelbo Really beautiful.
4 months ago ·
Erika Bierman Photography Love the hanging pebble garden!
4 months ago · ·
K.O.H. Construction Corporation I'm impressed with the use of the gutters.
4 months ago · ·
Urban Gardens These are beautiful inventive methods for gardening vertically--they work sustainably to divide the space, add interest to otherwise ordinary facades, and are ideas that anyone can implement in almost any space.

For those who may not feel as crafty, here's a similar ready-made solution:
http://ow.ly/gY9Ow
4 months ago · ·
suzyq2260 Very clever idea and looks great.
4 months ago · ·
dwilson27 I am a Real Estate Consultant in the San Francisco, East Bay, so I see a lot of gardens. These ideas are sublime! I am redoing my own backyard and want to incorporate many of the ideas shown here. Gone are the days one must have lawn for a yard!
4 months ago · ·
pamrhess I have these great vertical bamboo plant hangers -- just one sturdy screw or nail and then you pop your potted plants in the little slot -- the way it's cut (it looks like rabbit ears) holds it in place.. Easy on fences, easy on the environment -- bamboo is a fast growing grass
http://jupiterbamboo.com/. I replaced the rop with a wire hanger so it can be out in the rain.
4 months ago · ·
dolrod33 I love the use of small spaces in these patio areas. It makes me rethink my patio area. Thanks
4 months ago · ·
julianaluciabutler I loved the ideas and sooooooooooo beautiful
4 months ago · ·
carlakoala Just wonderful to see hanging gardens in real life situations rather than commercial installations. I am also in Perth, W.A. and am wondering where you got those copper 'gutters'. There is something visually pleasing to me about the circular stepping stones set in the river pebbles. Great work!
4 months ago · ·
Jennifer Menges Like!
4 months ago ·
alfredpena While I really appreciate the aesthetic appeal and inventiveness of these ideas, no mention was made to the effects of copper on vegetation. Copper in small very small amounts is necessary. We (including plants) get that from the small amounts of copper found in plants and soil. If we add more copper it becomes toxic. One concern is the plants in the copper gutters, the second concern is the oxidized copper on the outside of the planters and the water that runs off of that leaching into the soil underneath. So just be aware of the impact of exposed copper on the outside of your homes. Copper pipes for drinking water is not as much of a concern because it doesn't oxidize inside the pipes and water pipes don't typically have water running off the their exterior into the soil you plant gardens in. Do a quick google search before you copy this idea! I found this thread very quickly, interesting read: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/contain/msg0716250811942.html
4 months ago ·
R+ ARQUITECTURA Thats a very common use here in Central America, where all plant grows...very beutiful article!! grettings from El Salvador
4 months ago ·
Akitekti Munene thts very nice ,it triggers me to enhance my design ....am creating a recreation center and for me i hv used split river rocks as my pavers and lawn is in btwn them a nice natural scenery is created with the green n yellow hedge..
4 months ago ·
Josefina Ilagan nice idea of a garden...
4 months ago ·
phyllistaylor Would the brick wall garden work if the wall gets the afternoon sun?
4 months ago ·
sustainable garden design perth There was a good point made by alfrepena about plants being vulnerable to copper. We coated the inside of the copper vessels with a non-toxic pond sealer and have seen the plants thrive over a long period of time with no adverse effects.
4 months ago · ·
Tanu Sharma i lovwd them so very unique and beautiful
4 months ago · ·
chubby10 Very practical and suit everyone.
4 months ago · ·
soso_bb Realy i like this idea
4 months ago · ·
woodka gorgeous! want!
3 months ago · ·
vanitasuri very innovative. I am in the process of renovating my house and would definitely use hanging pebbles
3 months ago · ·
California Fence Company Thanks for the enlightening article!!I would love to have one on my backyard wall , but low light is a problem. Would you suggest plants that would survive there?
6 weeks ago ·
John Reling One concern is the plants in the copper gutters, the second concern is the oxidized copper on the outside of the planters and the water that runs off of that leaching into the soil underneath. So just be aware of the impact of exposed copper on the outside of your homes.
http://www.perfectpicturelighting.com/battery-operated-picture-lights.php
7 days ago ·
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