For the 2017 Perth Garden Festival I designed ‘The Garden Retreat’, a fun space incorporating natural materials, abundant planting and artistic elements to create a soulful place to relax and recharge. The garden included an indigenous designed mat ‘water feature’, a circular sitting area amongst a grove of trees, some large stone clad seating boxes and a timber ‘retreat cube’ consisting of a deck and timber structure stained with a dark Porter’s paint colour. The cube provided an enclosed space to relax on oversize cushions.

The bright colours of the Evolution mat were matched by other strong sunny elements like the yellow pyramid sculpture, the yellow light fitting and the bright blue cushions.

Access through the garden was provided by crushed limestone paths and large bluestone steppers to add texture and interest. We used rusted corten steel to edge the garden and to create a circular area for some table and chairs in the ‘retreat grove’.

The planting was a mix of native and hardy tropical species. Colours included restful greens, lime green and blue leaved native ‘grasses’, mauve flowering Scaevolas and gold leaved plants like Sedum Gold Blob, Duranta Sheena’s Gold and the striped Beschernoria Flamingo Glow.

Thanks to Bobtail Landscaping for partnering with me to create the garden and the many sponsors who supported us.
The display attracted the ‘Gold Show Garden’ award and the ‘People’s Choice’ award.