Landscape tips with Daniel: Planning and prep
Like all good things a solid plan is always the best place to start. The landscaping in your new home is no different.
We have the awesome team at Landscapes WA to thank for the mastery that is all of the landscaping in our display homes. You know what’s even better, Daniel from the team has started his own Instagram (@landscape_ideasperth) to give us all the tips and tricks you need to make the most out of your outdoor spaces.
Lets start at the very beginning – it’s a very good place to start!
Soil prep
It’s the most important step in having a healthy and low maintenance garden. Adding a quality soil conditioner to either a concentrated mix that gets turned though the existing soil or a filler soil conditioner that you plant into is a must. The more soil the better.
Doing this step properly will help in ensuring your plants are healthy and lower their water consumption. There is nothing worse than battling to keep plants alive 6 months after they have been installed and throwing money away buying products to keep them healthy.
Choosing the right plants ?
Whether they’re full sun tolerant, different in size or roots. It’s a very important step in making the most out of your garden.
Plants and trees that are the perfect size now may not be suitable in 5 years’ time for the area they have been planted. With blocks of all shapes and sizes. Choosing the right plants for your space can really make a difference and can change the overall look.
A great tall narrow tree called a Pyrus Capital (Ornamental Pear) is the perfect option for smaller backyards that are needing to screen neighbours or wanting to hide your fencing. Being a deciduous tree (that means it sheds its leaves annually), it will shade you in the hot summer sun but allow the light through in the colder months. Underplanted with a hedge creates a great combination in the garden.
A lot of trees can be pruned to suit most areas, but keep in mind it’s what you can’t see that can be the problem. Invasive roots systems can cause major problems if placed in the wrong area. Roots can break pipes, block drains, crack walls and so much more. So, choosing the right tree is important.
In the WA sun ☀
Another thing to keep in mind is choosing plants that can take full sun and plants that can’t. Perth summers can destroy plants at the drop of the hat. When the temperature gets above 35 degrees, even plants that can take full sun can struggle. Building a canopy with taller trees or shrubs is the perfect way to help shade the plants below from the scorching sun. Be careful of plants that can take full sun but are grown at the nursery in the shade, they will burn initially but with a growing season or two they will bounce back and harden up
Great combos for your space
Prunus Blireana (Ornamental Plum) which is a deciduous tree, has great purple coloured foliage and hot pink flowers in the spring time under planted with
Viburnum Odoratissimum (Sweet Viburnum) is a great dense hedge that will provide a great contrast in colour having big green rounded leaves and small white flowers. Like most hedges they can get tall and full so they will require pruning to the size and shape desired… Both can take full sun.
Don’t be afraid to use Citrus trees either. Use lemon trees as a screening tree gives you the best of both worlds. It is an attractive evergreen tree plus it provides lemons perfect for those weekend beverages.
Daniel's top tips
- Good soil is the key to easy gardening
- Keep in mind how big plants and trees can grow
- Chose the right plants for the right area
- Understand your plants. Can they take full sun or do they need some shade?
Landscaping with Daniel: The next stage
Now you’ve covered the planning and preparation steps of your new outdoor space. Daniel is back with more tips to get the most out of your garden.
From reticulation and watering to your backyard lighting. We’re sure you’ll have the best looking garden in the street after following Dans tips.
Landscaping with Daniel: The final steps
Daniel from @landscapeideas_perth has helped us all with the tips and tricks to get your gardens in the best shape possible. Now we’re moving into hardscapes and how you can make your backyard as eye catching as we can!
All the things you wish you knew: Before your build
Building your first home is a massive milestone! There’s lots to think about and sometimes in the excitement of it all, we forget some things.
We’ve got you covered on all of the little things you wish you knew before you build ?