This project began with looking to the land. As the story goes, somebody once told me all good projects start with the land as traditionally that was always the starting point which makes complete sense. After all, as a rural country, wouldn’t you want to know where you drill for water, how the land drains and where best to plant things…

It’s easy to loose sight of these important factors when living in the city, after all you’re lucky to have any land around your home and often people find their home in the air. Since this project started with a double lot, meaning some land, and recalling “somebody’s” words of wisdom contact was made with Joe Fry of Hapa Collaborative. We met at Union Market for coffee and custard tarts to discuss what was possible. There’s more to this story, but that’s for another time. Focusing on this one here’s what evolved.

Yes hard to believe this has been 2 years in the making and now it’s starting to make sense as it’s becoming real. Going beyond the paper of Landscape plan, planting plan, details of paving and planting, details of steps and walls, and streetscape and lists of plant names.

See what I mean:

I love the way the professionals have been able to take my ideas and thoughts, such as blending old and new while aging in place and building a community, and manifest results that surpass anything I could come up with. The contemporary elements of concrete, which you know by now that I LOVE, with these contrasting coloured pavers and the stonework gives a nod to the past with present day craftsmanship (thanks Steve!).

Here’s a bit of a sneak peak at some of the hedges, trees, shrubs, perennials and ground cover with grasses to come. I’ll just name a few of my favourites; Katsura tree (cerdidiphylum japonica), white Meidiland rose (rosa meicoublan white meidiland), japanese forest grass (hakonechloa macra “aureola”), and mexican feather grass (stipa tenuissima).

… and check out this amazing cedar fence!!