The owners of this Hawthorn abode moved to Melbourne to build their perfect family home after living in New York for many years. They enlisted Peachy Green to create their dream garden, with hopes of bringing a subtle taste of their old city to their new home in Melbourne.
Peachy Green director Frances Hale says the clients had fallen ‘in love’ with the iconic New York high-line project – a converted stretch of abandoned railroad turned public park shrouded in greenery. The full and romantic work of Dutch garden designer, Piet Oudolf was another major reference point for the Xavier project.
‘The inspiration was to integrate a wild, organic, woody meadow planting theme with ornamental grasses and flowers for picking,’ Frances explains.
This textured greenery, featuring dense grasses like Frosted Curls Carex, also serves to soften the solid structure of the Bryant Alsop-designed house.
Peachy Green created defined zones to bring the outside world into the home, showcased best in the calming views of the internal courtyard. An inviting ‘entrance garden’ helps welcome visitors to the home, as its rich mixture of flowering shrubs and tall foliage contrasts the concrete pathway from the street.
‘[The vision was to] create a journey through the garden, viewed as you move through the house’, Frances added.
There’s also a north-facing rear garden and lawn area featuring crazy paving. Add in a custom concrete seat and barbecue by Hungry Wolf Studio, and the space is equal parts practical and peaceful.
But Frances says the true highlight of the project is how the resulting design will continue to ‘grow and settle’ over time – like all good gardens should.
‘The trees will get bigger and create more shade to the paved alfresco terrace,’ she notes.
‘We have added to the planting during maintenance visits to fill out areas with plants that are thriving in the conditions and to introduce new colours the clients love. Although not gardeners, the owners are inspired to get out in the garden and try planting new flowers. It has become a passion for them.’
See more of Peachy Green’s work here.
