Bird Land

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday June 28, 2007

Michael Cooke

In this courtyard, calm prevails and a peacock roams, writes Michael Cooke.

When Celia and Brian Esplin bought their rainforest property at Matcham on the Central Coast about six years ago, they inherited a garden with a good basic structure. All they needed to do was add plants that reflected their own personalities and make the most of the secluded courtyard at the entrance to the property.

The courtyard was given a makeover by filling in the fish pond and planting it with grasses and agaves. An antique Turkish olive urn - which changes from its normal whitewash colour to blue when it rains - has been carefully positioned nearby, as has their pet peacock, an unorthodox and colourful addition.

The weathered stone walls and trimmed Japanese box hedge add a formal element to the courtyard, which has been planted with a combination of succulents, grasses, Japanese maples and a small juniper tree. The result is a garden that appeals to the eye but also provides ample privacy and calm. "It's a beautiful spot to sit and read," says Celia.

Michael'stip

Few things surpass a peacock's colour but the birds are only suitable for large gardens because they roost in trees and roam during the day. If confined in an aviary, their tails will become damaged. Male birds cost $150 each from Peacock Haven.

Create the garden

1 Cut-leaf Japanese maples are beautiful in spring. The plant pictured is Acer palmatum Dissectum Atropurpureum. It requires part sun, regular watering and wind protection. Available from Wagon Wheels Nursery in a 400mm pot for $295.

2 Mondo grass is an ideal low-maintenance pot plant. Here it grows in a galvanised laundry tub. Ophiopogon japonicus is available from Wagon Wheels Nursery for $16.95 in a 600mm strip.

3 Antique Turkish olive urns give the garden mystique. To prevent the urn from filling with water, drill small holes in the base. Expect to pay about $880 from Orientalia.

4 Liriope 'Evergreen Giant' has short spikes of small violet flowers and deep green foliage. It grows 600mm high and prefers part shade. Available from Belrose Nursery for $9.95 in a 150mm pot.

5 Offset the wildness with an oversized Japanese box ball (Buxus microphylla Japonica). This box is fast growing with bright green glossy foliage. Available

pre-shaped from Bay Street Gardens for $245 in a 400mm container.

6 Drought-hardy Agave attenuata has rosettes of soft-tipped icy green foliage. Best grown in full sun, it can also handle light shade. Grows to 800mm and is happy potted. Available from Belrose Nursery for $60 in a 300mm pot.

7 Off-white cement on the rendered walls, naturally pigmented with sand from the site, adds depth and interest. A similar effect can be achieved with lime-wash paint. Custom-coloured Wollombi is $35 a litre from Porters Paints.

8 Jewel-like colours of Echeveria imbricata contrast beautifully with aged sandstone and the lime-washed wall. Small apricot flowers on 300mm high stems appear intermittently. Available from Belrose Nursery in a 200mm pot for $19.95.

9 Split sandstone flagging mellows naturally, developing moss and lichen where shadows fall. Available from Gosford Quarries for $66 a square metre.

Stockists

Bay Street Gardens

41 Bay Street, Double Bay. Phone: 9327 3936.

Belrose Nursery

Bundaleer Street, Belrose. Phone: 9450 1484.

Gosford Quarries

300 Johnston Street, Annandale. Phone: 9810 7555.

Orientalia

165 Harris Street, Pyrmont. Phone: 9566 4461.

Peacock Haven

Phone: 9627 3602.

Porters Paints

Phone: 9698 5322.

Wagon Wheels Nursery

109 Seven Hills Road, Baulkham Hills. Phone: 9624 6600.The photograph in the Gardens section of our July issue was wrongly credited. The correct photographer was Brigid Arnott.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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