Sharing the spoils of community courtyard gardens

Colour and sophistication revive this apartment-complex landscape, creating courtyard gardens that are both vibrant and drought-resistant.

Numerous apartments and villas share these beautiful, redesigned courtyard gardens. When water restrictions took a toll on their community courtyard gardens, the owners of this inner-city apartment complex decided a revamp was in order. The result is an innovative community courtyard gardens project and a colourful new landscape that earned horticulturist Helen Young the 2008 Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers award in the Plantscaping category.

There are over 100 diverse dwellings in the apartment complex, many of which look down onto the central pool and courtyard gardens area. This communal garden project is administered by an Owners Corporation executive committee, who are more than happy with Helen's work. "It's a great garden and we're very lucky," says Toni, who is head of the committee.

With the structural and hardscape elements of the courtyard gardens already in place, Helen's focus was on finding the most suitable plants. Unable to survive without the necessary watering (sprinkler irrigation having been banned five years ago), much of the original community garden's plants had to be ripped out.

After working out what could be replanted, Helen devised a list of suitable new plants for the courtyard gardens and presented it to the committee for approval. Among the chosen varieties were flaxes, cordylines and yuccas, which provide year-round colour to the space. Other flowering plants such as frangipani add seasonal colour to the garden.

All of the selected plants are low maintenance and able to survive on minimal water. "The biggest challenge was selecting plants that look lush and tropical but would survive hot westerly sun and the reflected heat from the paving and brick walls," says Helen.

Careful to avoid the 'boxy' look of the previous community courtyard gardens, she worked with diagonal and triangular planting patterns. The design is a hit with residents, according to Toni. "It was so structured before and now it's more natural - you see something new in every corner," she says.

Helen's work on the communal garden project has not only breathed new life into the landscaping of the complex, it has also raised the bar for the residents' own gardens. "So many owners have now updated their private gardens, which is a huge credit to Helen," says Toni.

Helen Young, Horticulturist

What was the community gardens design brief?

With the hardscape elements already in place, the brief was simple: to create a new planting design that would restore and enhance the lush, resort-style feel of the gardens. The trendy inner-city location also called for a design that was a bit 'edgy' and contemporary.

What were some of the considerations?

The garden had to use minimal water and be low maintenance. It was to be free of thorns, spikes or sharp edges. The plants needed to be non-allergenic, not prone to dropping messy fruits, leaves or flowers on paved areas, and resistant to pests and disease.

Did you need to consider the different needs of the residents?

Some individual tailoring was done to accommodate residents whose properties adjoined particular areas. Some required taller plants for screening between the community space and individuals' rear courtyard gardens. Others demanded low plants to allow views across to the pool or to preserve a feeling of openness.

How did you create interest in this previously 'boxy' garden?

The planting patterns have some repetitions throughout the site, but no two beds are exactly the same. None of the planter boxes was exactly the same dimensions either, which became apparent early in the planning stages and necessitated measuring and drawing every single bed individually.

How has the property benefited from the work you have done?

Residents love their new garden space and owners love the increase in property values that the community garden project upgrade has brought. Within a year the plants have grown so well that everything looks established, privacy is being restored as the plants grow to full height and use of the communal spaces has increased.

Toni, the homeowner

What inspired you to have the garden redesigned?

There had been some damage to the membranes beneath the planter boxes and when we had the drought, we lost a lot of plants because we couldn't water. So it was a combination of repair work and needing to create a more drought-resistant garden.

Were there aesthetic considerations as well?

We wanted an easy-to-maintain garden with interesting colour. The old garden was very tropical but it had a lot of tree ferns, which require a lot of water, and it was kind of 'block' designed. We wanted a garden design that was a lot more interesting.

Did the Owners Corporation committee have strong ideas about the revamped community garden project?

We told Helen what we wanted and she gave us a list of suitable plants, from which we chose the ones we liked best. She worked within our framework but obviously she advised us on what would work in the garden, so it was really her design.

Are you happy with the new garden?

It's great. It was so structured before and now it's more natural, and you see something different, something new in every corner. It's that kind of interesting garden now where there's either something flowering or the leaves are changing colour.

Are residents matching their private gardens in with the landscaping?

In addition to the main garden, all of the terraces have their own gardens that back on to it, and the residents are following through and creating some continuity with the main design.

Get help with your garden design from a local garden designer or landscaper: