Garden and Outdoor

Gavin and his wife Sarah had a series of ideas for their backyard. They had done quite a bit of travelling in Asia and liked the idea of a semi-tropical garden that felt somewhat like a resort. They wanted a pool for them and their young children but they also wanted enough space and facilities for them to play in comfort and safety. And they are planning to add an extension to the rear of the house, which is most likely going to be quite modern.

If you ever wanted an example of how important a role consultation plays in clever landscaping, then look no further than the story of Kate and Alex. Kate had just moved into a new unit and the tiny courtyard out the back, covered in grey concrete and overgrown with bushes, was a mess. But Kate had firm views on what she wanted to do with the space, and contacted a friend of hers who she knew designed and constructed landscapes for a living.

Colourful flowers lining the path to your front door can brighten even the dullest day, and gerberas are among the cheeriest blooms on the market. These days there's a variety of gerberas available in a range of vibrant hues and broad petals, in double and semi-double forms.

Roses are characteristic of traditional English gardens, and while they have become a much-loved feature of Australian homes, they are not naturally suited to our climate. However, the effects of the warmer conditions make rose growing in Australia quite unique, so we can fairly speak about cultivating "Australian" roses.

Bamboo is a versatile and attractive woody grass plant that has long been treasured in Asian countries for its strength, as well as its medicinal and culinary qualities. But it's also perfect for the Australian climate and is becoming a popular screening plant, says Greg Braun, who is known as Mr Bamboo.

Lavender is justifiably one of the most popular plants for Australian gardens. Available in several varieties, including English, French and Spanish lavender, it brings a gorgeous fragrance to gardens and distinctive flowers in a range of colours from white through pink to purple and mauve.

The type of insect pests that affect your garden will depend on where you live and the plants you grow. They are very much a seasonal problem, says Marc Tracy from Botany and Bugs. "Depending on where you live in the country, different insect pests will be a problem at different times of the year," he says.