Photography: Brigid Arnott
Vivid shades of emerald and walls clad in ivy reign supreme in this home’s magical outdoor retreat on Sydney’s leafy Upper North Shore. Brimming with seasonal delights in a series of bright hues, the garden projects a fairytale beauty, courtesy of its inspired renewal by landscape architect Hugh Burnett.
When he came to the project in 2021, the 900 square metre property’s Art Deco abode was surrounded by a not-so-splendid landscape. “The original garden was a homogenous planting of Buxus, Murraya and camellias,” recalls Hugh. “There was not a lot of seasonality or change. A big part of the brief was to add layering, texture and interest.” As homeowner Julie describes, one shade of green dominated the garden, without any visual variation.
Inside the ivy-inspired makeover
Hugh worked with Ballast Landscape, which constructed his new vision of the garden. “We pruned the camellias to be more open and sculptural, also adding low-voltage lighting to highlight the trunks and form at night,” says Hugh. “Hedges of Buxus (Japanese box) were transplanted into groups and cloud-pruned to create evergreen anchors through the garden, framing entry points and to direct people through the front door and the original portico.”
Now, shifts of colour occur throughout the garden and with the change of seasons. There are countless nuanced tones of green foliage, as well as a warm palette of autumnal shades. Standout performers include smoke bush shrub with its delicate bronze-hued plumes of foliage, oakleaf hydrangea, Boston ivy and ‘Mutabilis’ heritage rose.
“There is such an energy to the garden,” says Julie. “It’s so inviting when you arrive home and walk down the driveway to the beautiful curved portico.” While Julie and her family have since moved interstate due to work commitments, the garden retains a special place in their hearts. Now nurtured and enjoyed by its latest custodians, it is a sanctuary that truly celebrates nature as it heralds new life.
The hardscaping palette
Early in this 18-month project, the aged green-painted concrete driveway was replaced with a Porphyry stone-paved drive, supplied by Eco Outdoor and installed by Enchanted Landscapes. It now incorporates a paved turntable to access the new double garage at the back of the block. “We also constructed a lovely sandstone seating wall to enclose the terrace and separate it from the new pedestrian path,” says Hugh.
Explore the ivy-covered outdoor zones
Hugh designed an expansive haven endowed with distinct zones for relaxing and entertaining, including an updated pool and informal alfresco dining options beside the pool and on the terrace. The home’s existing pool was reimagined, with new bench seating added and a fully tiled shell incorporated, showcasing glass mosaic tiles from Onsite Supply + Design. The pool’s streamlined new form is capped with travertine coping.
Completed by Outside Signatures, the revamped pool glimmers invitingly in the sun, while reflections of the wall, cloaked in Boston ivy, dance in the water. “The ivy makes the wall drop away and recede into the garden,” says Hugh. “I love Boston ivy because you get the autumn colour and then, when it loses its leaves in the winter, the tracery of the branches.”
Beyond ivy: The seasonal planting palette
One of the most stunning aspects of this garden is undoubtedly the Boston ivy that graces the walls. But you can find even more beauty elsewhere in this oasis.
1. Topiaries of Buxus spheres
2. Cone-shaped hydrangeas
3. Evergreen hydrangeas
4. Boston ivy
5. ‘PowWow White’ flowers
6. Forest pansy
7. ‘Mutabilis’ rose
Source book
Landscape architecture & pool design: Hugh Burnett, hughburnett.com.
Landscape installation: Ballast Landscape, ballastlandscape.com.au.
Pool renovation: Outside Signatures, outsidesignatures.com.au.
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