A WOW-Factor ‘Secret Garden’ In Blairgowrie

In response to a sprawling site on the Mornington Peninsula and a brief from the client for privacy and seclusion rather than maximum beach views, Ian Barker Gardens designed a varied, six-part layout encompassing outdoor entertaining, a sunset terrace, a pool, fire-pit and luscious flowery plantings.

It’s a ‘secret garden’ filled with unexpected delights!

Read the full story here. 

This Blairgowrie block is bigger than most properties in the area, and the clients wanted the garden to be a green sanctuary rather than a support network for ocean views. Photo – Sharyn Cairns.

The front garden is deliberately understated and the house shields the back garden from view when seen from the street. This creates an element of surprise for visitors, when the wonderland unfolds itself as they move through the house! Photo – Sharyn Cairns.

‘I never wanted to impose on the era of the home, the garden was intended to feel as though it was the original garden, planted for the house,’ says Anastasia Elias of her garden in suburban Melbourne. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

It’s hard to believe this abundant productive garden is just approaching two years old! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

The house renovation was completed in mid-2019, watch this space for a tour in the next few months! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

A field of ranunculus. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Petrina considers herself a ‘slow’ florist, making up to four bouquets a day from her abundant flower garden. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Some of the spring spoils ready to be made into a bouquet. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

A shaded outdoor area at the base of the garden contains built-in outdoor seating. Photo – Sarah Pannell.

Boston Ivy creeps up the walls of the outdoor dining area toward the latticed pergola top, which it will eventually cover in a canopy. Photo – Sarah Pannell.

The abundance of John and Jenny’s verge garden. Photo – Marnie Hawson.

‘Growing up in this place has had an impact on the kids,’ says John of his sons. One was married in the yard and another is Ben Shaw, permaculture expert on the Victorian surf coast. Photo – Marnie Hawson.

The cabana cave has a roof garden atop it, with rosemary and agave cascading down. ‘Beige Royal Quarter’ paint from Dulux. Eco Outdoor ‘Antico Luce’ brick. Photo – Anson Smart.  Stylist – Claire Delmar.

The material palette is simple, consisting of terracotta, bamboo, limestone and timber with light, natural earthy tones for a modern-Mediterranean feel. Eco Outdoor ‘Antico Luce’ brick. Photo – Anson Smart.  Stylist – Claire Delmar.

The courtyard is a portrait of seaside bliss – it’s like a private resort pocket! Photo – Anson Smart.  Stylist – Claire Delmar.

‘The entire landscape (except maintenance access to the onsite stormwater detention) was designed with no stairs, wide opening and manageable gradients for walker and wheelchair access. Photo – Natalie Hunfalvay.

Most of the plants were installed over an 11 month period in 2018, whole large trees were crane lifted in. Photo – Natalie Hunfalvay.

Low walls and seating opportunities are located at roughly 20 metre intervals. Photo – Natalie Hunfalvay.

Fig Landscapes added a deck, pool, an adjacent fire pit and veggie patches at the rear to this one-acre plot in Binna Burra. Photo – Jessie Ann Harris.

The view from the pool out over the rolling hills beyond is pretty magical! Photo – Jessie Ann Harris.

Sandy gravel covers the floor of the fire pit, a similar colour to the fringe of pennisetum at its edges. Photo – Jessie Ann Harris.