highton

This Highton property is undergoing a full interior renovation, with a new landscape designed to complement the home’s updated style and its natural surroundings. The site gently slopes downward to the east and enjoys open views to the north and northeast. With free-draining sandy soil and a strong foundation of existing native trees, the landscape provides an ideal canvas for a habitat-focused native garden.

The clients’ vision was to create a garden that supports local biodiversity using indigenous and native plants, and materials that reflect the surrounding landscape. In response, we developed a low-maintenance design that works with the site’s natural slope while keeping construction costs and labour requirements in check.

A wide, winding granitic sand path leads visitors through the space, transitioning with gentle sleeper steps to the rear of the garden. A small timber bench is nestled into the backyard, offering a quiet seating area to take in the views and surrounding greenery. At the front, granite rocks provide a simple and cost-effective solution for retaining, tying the garden to the local geology.

The planting design focuses on texture and tone, layering contrasting greens and greys with restrained pops of colour. A nature strip pathway is incorporated to meet council regulations, bordered by resilient, low-growing native plants. The resulting garden not only enhances the home’s aesthetic but also serves as a functioning habitat for local wildlife.

Landscape Design — @platylobium
Landscaping — @zorbas_gardens
Photography — @squirephotography